The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-05-11

ally. 'aThe excitement Of being here
must have gone to my head.' Miss
Mallory's lip curled.
There can hardly be much excite
D,ent in doing what you could have |
done any day in the last three years,
she declared bit disdainfully. HUI !
mason's color deepened.
NO he said simply. .you are wrong. |
l have not been in New York. Three |
years ago my father died." he added. |
meeting the surprised question in her
eyes. 1T changed all my life. found
myself with my mother and a widowed
sister to care for, left with barely
pittance 1t was necessary | should
try at least to carry on the old busl-
ness at home. | came to bid you good
by. and you We're out And what could
| have said? You beautiful. courted,
the only child of an indulgent father;
| merely one of the many who sur
rounded you. How could / dream that
you would ever spare me even
thought? SO l went away, resolved to
forget And then
Yes" queried the girl as he paused.
'and them Her eyes were hidden,
| but there was a note in the soft voice
ihat aroused his courage
Il found. ont that l could not for
get,'' said the man. "Yet what claim
had L? And then. yesterday-oh, how
can / thank you property he broke
OFF earnestly. Yesterday woman
you Eeiped--she was my sister" speak
ING with steady tone. Not long ago
her child died, and, half mad from the
loss. she came to the city. resolved to
destroy herself here where we would
i not know of it. But when she reached
New York the commonplace, everyday
/ aspect of things seemed to calm her
mood, and her resolution faltered. Yet
she had expended what money she had.
| not even the price of a ticket home
being left Determining to put fate to
the test. she wandered about. seeking
| a familiar face-1ny sister alone in this
! great city. where she knew no one
resolved, should her plea for help be
refused, to put an end to her life. And
then she saw you.'
For moment the man was silent as
shudder seized him at the thought of
what might have happened
"Oll, IL she had not met yous-if- But
/ dare not think of it. IL have pho
tograph Of you. l bribed your maid for
it," lie confessed shanefacedly. From
having seen it 50 often my. sister felt
vaguely that here at last was 4 friend.
although. of course. unwitting why
And SO she dared to ask Miss Mallo'
ry, who was sobbing unrestrainedly
lifted Eer face.
..Oh, the dear woman she exclaim
ed brokenly. How glad / am! How
glad | am! And is she safe?"
"Ouite safe" was the thankful an
swer. .The shock. your kindness, some
thing. must have strengthened ant
, braced her. She returned last night
, And you can fancy what it meant II
, MS. But when she showed me, the bless
ed card which told me who it was tina
had saved her it seemed to me as II
! also had been sent message. Was
q wrong. dear:'' and the mans voice wa
, wonderfully tender. The girl. puzzled
t shook her head.
Il don't understand" she said faint
: ly. Humason laid visiting card Il
O her hand.
Look he said It was the card ur
@ on which she had scribblel her address
f Turn it over" as the girl seemed be
e wildered 4 low cry broke from the re
lips.
J. "Oh,'' she stammered, while the colo
Il flooded up to her pretty curly hair. +
!. was in hurry. thought that 1t wa
;. one of fathers. r. Her confusion II
creased pitiably. But the mans stron
Z clasp had again caught the nutterin
IS little hands.
It 81 thought that il you had care
e enough to carry a mans card IN yot
,r cardcase for three years that you mu.
,e have cared little for the man hin
D self" he said eagerly. WAS l wron
sweetheart? Are yoa going to send
Ii away aga;n:''
10 The girl. her eyes fixed on the hetra
p- ing bit Of pastehoard wherein IN II
O. script ran the words. "Mr. Roland III
or mason" dropped her head.
C. NO she answered shyiy. please
please stay