The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-08-03
Oar Companion
QuarrelerS
(Original.]

The evening Of our arrival we walked
found cozy spot under Il rock where
there was a rustic bench, the position
fanked by neighboring peaks rejecting
the last rays of the setting sun. Far
beneath was the plain with what look
ed like gentle undulations, though some
of them were high hills, patches of
farms and woods, and the river, Il mere
thread, running across the panorama
from north to south. We sat on the
bench and were wrapped in each other
and the view. speaking but seldom, for
there was no need for speech. We
felt, and with us to feel was enough.
True, there were soft whisperings, but
they We're not essential to the inter-
mingling currents Of hap!i."s.
One morning during our stay l awoke
with a headache did not tell Herbert
OF 1t, but dressed silently, combing my
hair before the mirror without our u.s.
ual chat. I should have said that
didn't feel well, but Herbert should
have noticed it and said something
soothing. Instead he said nothing,
and, when dressed, we went down
sullenly to breakfast. There was
nothing on the menu that I want
ed Herbert tried to decide for me
and spoke to him sharply. He turn
ed to his paper and didn't make an
other remark during the meal. Usually
l sat with him on the piazza while he
smoked This morning 1 went into
the drawing room. When we met we
were both silent and sullen. Then be-
gan elimination and recrimination.
Come" said Herbert, these people
have been watching our quarrel. We
must keep out of their way. Let us go
somewhere"
what matter? We shall probably
quarrel all our lives and must get used
to being seen quarreling."
THAT depends upon you. If you con-
tinne to-
Don't you see,'' interrupted, that
young fellow looking at you. He knows
by your expression that you are angry.
He may have a sweetheart"
Perhaps our case may induce him
to keep his neck out Of halter. How
ever, we must get away. Let us go
around the mountain to the rustic seat
beneath the rock. There'li be no one
there at this time Of day
We strolled away, followed by the
glances of all ON the piazza. A few
days before they had noticed our DEM
onstrative happiness; now they COM
mented on our Ill concealed misery. We
said nothing till We had passed out of
hearing and then only gave rent to our
mutual spite by single thrust OF
mine, followed by one from Herbert,
after which we held our tongues till we
reached the rock. There we seated our
selves and continued our quarrel. Feel
ing safe from being overheard, our
voices were gradually raised higher
and higher We forgot where we were,
what we had come to the mountains
for-all but to repay cruel words with
words more cruel.
"Harkw said Herbert suddenly.
I ceased to speak, and we both lis
|
| tened
There's woman over yonder. She's
fighting some onev' said Herbert.
II don't care If there is" l replied
and 1 finished, or tried to finish, what
was saying when Herbert interrupted
me with the angriest words he had yet
spoken. When he had finished he saw
me listening-not to him, but for some
thing distant.
"What Is it 2" he asked.
There's man with that woman.
just heard him talking to her in the
cruelest language
We both listened, but heard nothing
more. Then we began again, this time
both talking at once. Suddenly
stopped, then Herbert, both listening
THAT mans brute" said Herbert.
1.-THE woman's a virago."
What fools!'
Disgusting"
1.-THE mans the meaner of the two
said Herbert.
NO worse than the woman. I never
heard such words and such tone from
one Of my sex before. The worst OF i
is she said just what said to YOU
And heard the man say something
l said to you. Sweetheart, let us maxi
up"
; His arm was around me, and he drew
ME to him with sob, while well,
! only wept.
LET us resolve" said Herbert, "tha
! hereafter when we speak an angr.
word we will think Of those horrid pee
pie"
When we had recovered our com
posture we walked back to the hotel
our former happiness also partly re
stored.
pleasant walkT' asked the landlord
; VERY pleasant. We've been to til
rock around the mountain"
ooh, the talking rock! There's tn
finest echo there of any in America
; I looked at Herbert, and Herber
looked ut me- We went into the hous
and up to our room. There l elaine
to have been the cause of our trouble
; Herbert made similar self accusation
, and we both thanked heaven for ha'
Ing set us right by a simple echo.
1t is years since the talkin: rock sen
; back our words to us, such words a
; we have never spoken since. Many
time an angry speech has risen to on
lips. but the remembrance of what W
were when our voices were given bac
A.
before uttered In time Herbert can
to use no other reply to hasty wo'
; from me than
; Talking rock
ROSE TREAT THURBER.
Robson. Stewart &
! "A