The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-02-23
AWILLFUL
WIDOW
BY KATE NJ. CLEARY
Copyright, 1901, by Kate NJ. Cledry

so altogether I'm in deuce of
FIX" concluded Carruthcrs.
lie sprang to his feet. looking for all
the world like big, perturbed boy as
he paced restlessly across the library
floor. He was so well formed. with
his straight shoulders and the fine,
flexible lines of his body, that he APP
peared to be ten years younger than
the tlirty-nye allotted him by the fam
ily Bible. Then his brown hair would
curl even at tliirty-five.
Il understand" said Claridge. In
truth, lie did not understand at ALL He
had no children Of his own. Indeed,
he found the caprces OF his faShlona-
BILE wife quite sufficient to absorb his
attention But he liked Max Carruth-
ems. and it did seem to him
They're such adorable little things,
Max, And you're so absurdly wealthy.
If it were not for our house being closed
for the summer and Clotilde doing Eu-
rope for the steenth time I'd ask you
to let us take the tots. One fancies
that man with your money would
have no difficulty in finding person.
A rather desperate laugh interrupted
him.
".ah, the persons who are willing to
take care Of my little people, Ciarid5e,
ore the bane of my existence. I've ad-
yertised: I've met and talked with
them: harpies all Some would I'M
douotedly give the children proper care
as far as physical requirements go, but
that isn't enough. / want to find some
woman who would really love them for
Their own sake
THAT ought to be dead easy" growl-
ed Claridge.
"Of course l think so; but. then,
they're my BARNS. l want some one
who VIII give them bit Of mothering
kiss the place to make 1t well and
that sort of thing"
Il have it,. exclaimed Claridge. He
brought his fist down on the arm Of
Ills chair with bang. 1.-THE most idyl-
lic old home In the country that your
eyes ever rested upon. It's big. ram
bling house, almost covered with Vir-
ginia creeper. There's an immense,
well kept lawn and clematis across the
porch, and the house itself is just filled
with the most delicious scents. The
bedrooms are perjury with lavender.
And as for the food-why, it's some
thing to set an anchorite sighingr'
Tut what makes you think the pos
SCISSOR of this ideal home would wei
come into it two rather lively chill
dren? II It's only question of mon.
ey''-
CIari1ge shook his head.
Go slow! That's the difIiculty-it
isn't question Of money at all. AND
my powers Of persuasion may be less
effective than l think with Mrs. Va
rine but I'll try
your friend Is widow, presume? ?
Claridge sm:led-a dry, slow, curious
smile-his legal smile, Carruthers call
ed it.
Yes; she happens to be a client O
mine. oh. yes" he repeated, as though
convincing himself Of the fact. She
widow"
Nhea Carruthers called few day
later to ask If Claridge had heard from
Mrs. yarine, the latter jumped VI
brisfsly.
ITS all right Max. You are to sci
tie the question Of payment with me
Mrs. VariDe says she'd rather tax
nothing. She's very lonely, is awful
fond Of children, and Is delighted q
the thought of having the youngster
with her during their vacation. You
better take them down next Thursday
Oh. by the way, there's a condition
Mrs. Variae does not wish to meet 20
personality
whats that?" cried Carruther
aghast.
We'll. she doesn't" reiterated Clal
idge dosSedly. Maybe she has no re,
son but woman's reason. Anyhow
she's entitled to her caprice Her aun
Miss Howard will meet you on yor
arrival and show you over the place"
Queer" muttered Carruthers. II
looked up sharply. You say you kno
the lady-that everything is all right?
II say she's one Of TIE sweetest W
men God ever made and that you ma
bless your stars she Is taking 70,
her hearth
He had spoken with warmth. Ca
ruthers held ont his hand.
Thanks, dear boy! You're might
good friend"
1t was at the close of perfect Jul
day when a little party reached Ceda
willie. a surrey drawn by two fat viii
ponies met them. About two miles OF
side Of town the driver turned off in
wide carriage road that wound up
avenue of elms and oaks till tu
brought in view great sweep Of Ell
erald lawn, beds OF scarlet geraniun
fsslntain flashing in the golden Zig
and a sleepy, old vine covered hou
that looked hospitable and picturesqt
Let US out. papar' implored Ell
tace.
SIS it fairylandT' queried Dorothy
timid, entranced whisper.
The gentle faded woman who
ceived the travellers had a face like
cameo and appeared to harmonic q
mirably with her old fashioned s,