The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-02-23

low OF lOuu as tHcy Ncic uot u
cold" And they We're going to have a
party one Of these days, with luncheon
served under the biggest oak.
But who is this lady who is so kind
to you?"
"She's just Florence" they answered
in chorus. "She's good as real NAM
ma, only she plays like she was just a
little girl"
Always he heard these tales, and al
ways, it seemed, the playmate. Flor
ence, was the center and source of
their joy. Later in the season an i'm
portant business summons made it i'm
perative that If he We're to see the chill
| Gren before his trip west he must run
| down at once
Walking up the avenue. he stopped
short at the bend of the path, for on
the velvet sward a game of tag was In
progress A slim, graceful young girl
in pink lawn gown was tue pursued.
You're it, Florence!" cried Eustace
triumphantly as he succeeded in touch
| ing the fleeing figure. And just then, as
the victim paused, flushed, breathless,
her copper gold hair loosened from its
pins and falling in n bright shower be-
low her waist, Dorothy caught sight OF
the newcomer and set UP hailing
shout. Its papa! Here's papaw she
cried.
The captive made one wild movement
toward fight. but the victor manfully
held on to her. And, after laughing
protest, she came over to Carruthers,
where he stood bareheaded, his eyes
cleaning with admiration, and held
out her hand.
1--WE been doubiy caught, I'm afraid,
Mr.. Carruthers! did not dream you
were coming today or l should not
have been found engaged in such an
undignifed pastime. My name is Flor
ence Varine."
He leaned forward. Mrs. Varines
daughter?'
NO" She colored deliciously. II am
Mrs. yarine," she explained.
"Impossiblev exclaimed Carruthers.
He looked at her, amazed, mystified.
Why, she could not be much over twen-
ty! And CIaridge had said that she
was widow!
II wars very distant relative Of Mr..
Varine's," she explained. 'Ue wished
!, to leave me his property, but there
, would have been contention and litiga-
,, ton on the part Of others more nearly
related were he to do SO. But when he
knew he was dying he asked me to
marry him that he might legally Will
me all he possessed. He died an hour
after the ceremony was performed.
Mr.. Claridge was present"
But" stammered Carruthers, "why
didn't Claridge tell me? Why was
not to see your
"Oh, wGs afraid If you knew how
/. young and irresponsible l was you
would not let me have the children tt
take care of. Mrs. Claridge had told
: me what darlings they were, and waf
), so lonely down here. We've had sucf
good times together" She paused
. gathering up her shining hair. Sht
looked at him with luminous gray eyes
grown suddenly apprehensive. 'Yol
Il won't take them away, now that 20,
Ii know" she entreated.
hC NuASh AG
ply. "They are the most fortunate
> children in the world. For the frs
time since the death Of their mother
have felt quite happy about them"
It was astonishing how EASILY the i'm
I portant business matters Of Mr.. Car
t. ruthers could be set aside. He graspe'
&c at the invitation to stay to dinner a
y though that meal were in truth to saw
II him from starvation. And when b
- finally did discover that if he woul
u catch his train back to the city b
y. must exercise all haste it was with pos
D. tive dismay that he left the three VIII
" stood on the terrace, waving him fart
well.
B. Tie next morning he walked int
Claridge's Office
r You'll have to take a run out an
a. attend to that Montana matter. Clal
v, idge" lie said. II can't CO."
II, Cant, Ell? What's up? Somethin
Ut more importantly
VERY much more Important II
re was smiling like boy. and his eye
w were shining. "Fact is, I've not bee
= seeing enough Of Eustace and Doroth.
o I'm going to take room at the hot
~ down there-they tell me there's goo
ur fishing to be had-and I'll see more
rs the children"
Claridge stared at him. Then he no
IT. ded and laughed.
you've seen that willful little wido
~ down at CedGrville."
Cnrruthers went off laughing
ne When he came in few weeks lat
IT. the tan Of country wind ana sun W;
lte on his cheek. He walked like co
u Queror, with his head up, and his vol
ITO had ring good to hear.
an Congratulate me-" he commando
TN 1.-THE children are going to have Il
m loveliest mother in all the worldy'
rs, Claridga gripped the others ha1
mt warmly You're lucky dog, Ca
lse ruthersr'
ne. 81 know it. Claridge. There isn't
U.s. king under heaven I'd change plac
with! And those children
IN Claridge laughed leniently.
''You Internal fraudv he said.
A Wandering Minstrel.