The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-10-19

justice to the dinner you have ordered.
You might remind me if-if I forget
anything. It's long time since have
dined with ladies'
The tone was serious, but there was
a dancing light in the fine eyes that
Miss Waring caught, and she smiled
| sympathetically.
| There was but little conversation.
| Miss Waring was graciously courteous,
/ as became a hostess, but even dull
man in Testers place would not have
presumed upon the situation.
II thank you for your escort. Mr..
Lester said the girl dismissingly as
they passed out.
Il am your debtor, Miss Waring,"
| would ask when and where / might
pay my dinner CALI
A sudden impulse prompted her re-
ply.
Tomorrow evening. My present ad-
dress is on the card you have"
In all her twenty-five years Kate
Waring had never before been SO curl
Gus or SO anticipative. She smiled ap-
proval at the card he sent up, slip OF
| paper with sJohn Lester" boldly writ
! ten
She was still smiling when she en-
tered the drawing room, but the smile
vanished as she noted the fashionable
clothes he wore.
He was quick to see the change.
You are sorry / came? It was TAX
ing an advantage
Pardon me, | am somewhat disap-
pointed 1T was pleasure to find
something genuine. | do not like imi-
tations, not even an imitation hobo.''
1T is now that I am the imitation,
Miss Waring. The clothes are hired for
the OCCASION
She held out her hand cordially.
"Consider yourself welcomed, Mr. Les
ter, and allow me to say that the
clothes are very becoming"
He flushed boyishly.
ITS five years since I've worn q
, rig like this. l hardly knew how to
put it on"
, Miss Naring led the conversation
to topics of interest to a man of edu-
! cation and reinement-books, music,
t the drama finding her companion con
versant with sle best.
"Will you tell me something of your
, self"-she asked presently-"w you
/ are IA wanderer and how you live?
: Even il traveller must eat, | suppose"
lie hesitated but an instant.
Il have tramped for five years. l
q work awhile in a place till the devil
drives me on again-the devil Of my
/ conscience. l suppose it will yet drive
me back to''-h face grew grave
and his voice harsh, but he kept stoical-
i ly Onto Denver. where / am wanted
1 for the murder of Manuel Laredo, a
i Mexican, whom ! killed OH Starbright
y ranch"
y She rose excitedly.
Il bought Starbright ranch last year
h Manuel Laredo is among the workmen
thereli'
y lie sprang to his feet, his face aglow
i his eyes filled with sudden Joy.
He did not die, and / am not
: Then his face paled again.
! Il forgot" hoarsely, there may be a
r dozen Manuel Laredos; those Mexican
names"
, 1T Is the same man." she interrupted
positively. Il have heard the story and
seen the scar Of the bullet on his
4 cheek"
4 She talked on, waiting for him tt
! regain control Of himself.
I'VE should be friends, Mr. Lester
Royal Thornton is my stepbrother.
have often heard him speak of the triT
- abroad that you two made together
y years ago. / know now why you
: name seemed SO familiar. Will you &
y back to ColoradoW
He took her outstretched hand ii
> both his own.
''As your escort, Miss Waringw
She smiled assent, flushing beauti
fully.