The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-07-06
Just now, not In the artist What ths
dickens has come over himr'


convinced herself that she was In a
hurry. Admiration Is of course pleas
ant to a pretty girl, and there is no
reason why she should 60 out OF her
way to avoid 1t.
"I'ye learned that Mr.. Churchill has
class of art" said she. why didn't
you tell me?"
1T slipped my mind" answered
Gregory, frowning Mt drawing.
SWELL" said Helen, rive Joined It,"
Gregory settled down little farther
into his chair.
teacher" the girl continued, but Ae
discourages me-"
"Why?" inquired Gregory.
Because he evidently does not think
l have any ability" she replied: "Ha
gives ms all the attention could ask.
but it is perfectly obvious that he does
so because his conscience compels
him.
"Churchilrs consciencei'' mnttered
Gregory.
"ay the way" said Helen, II asked
some Of the other pupils whether they
had noticed any change In him, and
they hadn't. But none Of them knew
him very we'll"
NO" said Gregory. y guess they
didn't"
sit certainly seems to me-" persisted
Helen, that Mr.. Churchill has some
thing on his mind. he talks to me as II
he didn't see me at all, ! should think
he was looking at somebody standing
behind me, Do you suppose he can
have met with any misfortunef'
None that he doesn't deserve"
growled Gregory.
Helen rose from her chair with the
air OF one who has reached. the limit OF
patience.
well. It's not very nattering." salA
she, "and I'd like to know what H
means. However" she added after a
momentary pause, I'm bound to say
that so far as can see he treats all the
| other girls just the same way"
Churchill always had nm Indifferent
manner" responded Gregory. ITS not
| that that makes me think him changed.
There seems to be new purpose in the
fellow, an energy and an ambition that
never saw before. Upon my word,
could almost believe that he has been
caught at his own game and that some
girl has made a dent in his vulcanized
rubber heart"
"The same notion occurred to me-"
said Helen. And presently she went
away without having given any salts
factory reason why she had called.
1t may have been about two weeks
later that Helen happened to be In the
| vicinity Of ChurchIlrs studio about an
hour before the time for the assembling
| of the class. II seemed better to walt
in the studio than anywhere else that
she could think Of at the moment.
| Doubtless some of the other pupils
would arrive early and keep her com
pany. Churchill himself would be no
company at all, as she had already
learned. He would attend strictly to
his work and forget her existence.
Upon this occasion, however, the art
list was not at work, or, to be more ex-
act, he was not at his usual task. He
sat by a desk upon which were many
| letters which he had written. When
Helen entered he looked at her for
some seconds intently. as 1t trying to
bring his mind to her from some re-
mote region.
How do you dor said he In far
away voice. And then when she was
seated he resumed his place at the
desk and slowly tore all the letters into
very small pieces. Afterward he put
something which looked like a locket or
very small metal picture frame into a
drawer Of the desk and turned the key
upon it.
''Mr. Churchill" said she, II have
been talking with my cousin about
you"
Yes" he responded, with only the
faintest show Of interest.
"He finds you greatly changed" said
the girl.
Immediately a very obvious and sur
prising change revealed itself In the
man. He rose with energy, and his
eyes grew bright.
II have good reason he said.
She smiled and pointed to the drawer
in the desk.
Churchill hesitated and then slowly
turned. He opened the drawer and
took from it something which the girl
could not see until he held It toward
her. It was, as she had guessed, a
small round frame Of plain gold con-
tanning face cut from a photograph.
the face Of a very pretty girl, yet not
such a girl as might be expected to ac-
complish great and beneficial change
in man like Churchill.
To be honest about II, sire looked vain
and silly. AS mat for a genius she
might fulfill the doieful traditions =
regard to this subject, but youth al
ways fights against tradition. Certain
" Helen rebelled at the thought thot
such doll should sway the destinies
et man whose most eommonpiaes
idea and lowliest aspiration she must
always be totally unable to appreciate.
isn't she loveiyy she exclaimed.
"Eine eyes, Of course, like yours. How
odd.'
Its odd that any girl should care a
penny for me- responded Churchill, re-
i lapsing into his former manner. I'm
not worth It."
/ He began to pace restlessly up and
down the studio, in which exercise he
was interrupted by the entrance Of
some members Of his class.
It may have been 4 month after this