The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-09-14
The AtaviiSn
OF Pauline
Bu INA WRIGHT HANSON
Copyright. 1908. BY Ina Wright Hanson

uelSutS, OetWctu luc Wulsc Ol~tuSS Va
and "Femme au Ser
pent." At our left stretched smooth
red road.
"The road of love, and it leads to
paradise" remarked.
Pauline was silent. Her dreamy
eyes gazed beyond the little waves lag
ging in toward shore out to the bank
of fog which circled the waters. as II
to shut us two, there in the sunshine,
away from the whole world. My glance
fingered ON Pauline's ripping brown
hair, on her straight little nose, on her
mouth, and I gave one long sigh OF
content.
Pauline" said, "will you marry
me?" st
NO" she answered.
Her tone was caressing, but 1t held
uncompromising flrmness. The fog
was coming closer in.
"Why"
Pauline turned her gray eyes from
the ocean to me.
lone thing thou lackest,'" she quot
ed softly. "'Go sell what thou hast
and give to the poor"
stared blankly at her. Was this
child of luxury. this butterfly Of fash
ion, turning preacher:
II don't say it's original, Elbert. For
generations back there's been every
now and then some one Of our family
who has believed and practiced it.
suppose the mantel Of these peculiar
ancestors has fallen upon me, for 1t
has been a life principle with me-"
maybe I'm dense, but l confess l
don't see"-
IT have more money than I know
what to do with: SO have you. 1t Is
absurd for us to marry and put all our
money together. 1t isn't right. You
must choose some poor girl ana l .
penniless man."
"Nonsense"'
II really mean It.
reasoned with her for an hour and
at the end of the time left her look
ing at the ocean, her eyes wet. but her
chin determined. Her chauffeur look
ed at me inquiringly as I strobe past
her auto car. which had brought US
both. l jammed my hat down vicious.
lly and started along the red road. but
it no longer led to paradise. 1t was nc
"road O. love" and there was no para
disc anywhere.
"'And the young man went away
sorrowful, for he had great posses
sions.'"
It's amazing what a good night'i
sleep will do for man. Next morn
ing 1 had an interview with my law
yer. 1t was tedious and somewhat
embarrassing, as had to explain some
things should have preferred to keel
to myself. 1t was over ut last and
sought Pauline.
found her in the rose garden, writ
ing rapidly. When she saw me sh'
sprang up. scattering her papers OH tn
grass. She smiled at me tearfully.
II discovered that l couldn't liv
without you," said, taking her int
my arms. II could have given ava.
dozen fortunes rather than lose you.
felt her start
"Given away, Ebert" she repeated
you haven't given away
Every cent" l cried gayly, leadin
her to a seat. "Just got the busines
finished. I'm your penniless mar
Now when will you marry me?"
She stared Mt me, her eyes round an
amazed. Then she laughed nervousl!
Il have, too," she gasped.
"Have what, darling:" queried.
"Given everything away. was ju.
writing to you to tell you that care
more for you than for my wretche
money; and it's all gone, gone, gone!
Never mind, little girl. We hay
each proved our love. Now we wi
start in and live as our grandparen
,. did. l will buy a ranch
MY grandparents didn't, and yo
haven't any money, Ebert"
"Oh, that's so. Well, will go ar
work for rancher, then, and you ca
g help the rancher's wife. You can NAL
u butter and feed the hens and-.and IA
II ten the pigs, can't your
She held up her little white hand
and covered them with kisses. Th.
=: she put them, one on each side of II
; face, and looked steadily into u
!: eyes.
!: Gilbert, will try If the ranche1
: wife will have patience with me-"
/: ITO whom did you give your II
: tune" asked after a minute.
ITO the church for an orphanage
Her lips were quiyering again. 50
: said hastily.
=: well, sweetheart, go put on 20
. plainest gown, as BELTS q poor mar
bride, and we will go at once to I
=. parsonage"
he I laughed when she came back. n
% "plainest gown" was simple and viii
IS but probably cost rs much az I cou
~ earn on the ranch In q year.
,ps The minister lent me the mon
- for the license and has promised