The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-11-16
AN ANGEL
UNAWARES
By KATE N. CLEARY
Copyright, 1905. by Kate M. Cleary

when the knock came to the kitchen
door. 1t was a timid knock-so timid
that Nan stood with knife suspended
over the pan Of apples she was pairing,
thinking her Imagination might have
played her q trick. 1t came again-low,
entreating.
The girl crossed to the door and
opened 1t.
'Good landv' she cried. "Comc In!
You poor little soul, whoever you are,
come in!" And out of the binding rain
she caught the little black, shrinking
figure and whirled it into the warmth,
and spicy scent of the big kitchen.
She stood and looked at her unexpect-
ed visitor, her gaze curious blending
Of amazement and compassion. Such
frail, old figure Of a woman. The plain
black cashmere gown, the thin shawl,
the close little bonnet, all were dripping
rain, from the stiff jet spirals orna-
menting the bonnet to the hem of the
poor skirt And the face that looked
up at Nan, dumb and besceching, was
childishly pathetic In it's wistfulness.
The woman held a worn bag clutehed
TN one hand.
IT," faltered the stranger deprecat-
ingly-"I got caught In the rainr'
Nah threw back her head and
laughed-a girlish laugh, crisp and In
fectious, and the shriveled countenance
Of the intruder relaxed into a smile.
Pardon me-" cried Nan, controlling
herself; "only 1t was so evident you
had not been under shelter the last
hour that I couldn't help laughing
Here, sit down in this rocker near the
stove" She deftly unpinned the soak
ing shawl and removed the pulpy bon
net. Dear, dear" she exclaimed,
you've no rubbers on! And your feet
are dripping! You're just bundle Of
wetness! Whatever will I do with
your
She spoke with the air of solicitude
she might have used toward child.
Nan was only seventeen, but she had
many burdens on her shoulders, and
she bore them with courage. A year
ago, when she had graduated from the
high school. the hope that she might
60 to college was strong within her.
But her aunt and cousin had condemn.
ed her desire and derided her ambi.
ton. There was no money to spare
for such foolishness. There was work
to be done at home.
The latter fact the girl was given
no opportunity to doubt. The maid OF
all work had been dismissed the week
of her graduation, and Nan had been
installed in her place. And silently
but with fierce inward rebellion, she
accepted her duties. But her father
had been a man of letters and pro
fessor in university, and she had in
herited his love of learning. So 1t was
with a heavy heart she saw the days
slipping by and with them the time she
would fain have given to the acquire
ment Of further knowledge. Toda,
many hidden tasks still remained tt
| be accomplished, and here was this for
| lorn creature on her hands.
I'm sure I'm sorry to be making
you trouble, my DEAR" piped up thu
plaintive old voice. III when aftel
I'm rested bit you'll be telling me m,
direction I'll be moving on
But suddenly she went ghastly white
She caught her hand sharply to he
side, and her lips turned blue.
Here" cried Nan, take this!" Sh'
had gone for stimulant and wa
back, holding it pressed to the twitch
ing mouth. The old woman swallowed
the liquid and tried to rise.
"Sit still!' commanded Nan. Your
Ill! You mustn't stir!"
Nan stood before her, tall and slen
der in her blue cotton gown, with
big white apron belted in ut her waist
The pure pallor Of her skin was nc
cented by the blackness Of her brow
and lashes. Her gray eyes were wild
with perplexity.
"Wait a minute" she ordered an
went flashing up the back stairs. Sh
reappeared with a load of garment
over her arm. You're such a mite o
thing the clothes that I've outgrow
will ut you," she said. "four bag
Here 1t is-safe behind you. There!
She worked rapidly as she talket
"Now you're dry and comfortable any
how, II you do look funny
| The old woman smiled up at be
gratefully. She did look funny in th
schoolgirl gown of red. but the colo
had come into her cheeks. and he
chilled feet were growing warm in til
dry stockings and slippers.
i "Now I'll make you some tea an
toast" declared Nan, hanging the We
clothes to dry. And then must g
back to- Good gracious, my cake
burning!''
She was ON her knees in & minut
and had snatched the oven door wild
open. A smoking, blackenel noun
confronted her. And, as i'll luck woul
have it, at that very moment Helen
Burnet, her cousin and mistress of til
house owing to the invalidism of Mr.
Burnet, came sailing into the kitchen.
"What's this?" she cried sharply. 81
was In street attire, but had been we
protected from the storm. Your cal
ruined! And that-whO Is that person
Her cheeks scarlet from embarras
ment and the heat of the oven. Ma
was hastily removing the cake.
"She's an old lady who got caught
the shower" the girl explained ner
ously. did Aunt Ellen come. He
ena?''
NO. she didn't" snapped Helen