The Bossier banner., 1907-01-31

| the deserted car with only the dreary |
| landscape to watch. the girl seemed
doubly attractive, and he was surpris-
ed when the porter came around to |
light the lights A number of per- |
sons had boarded the car through the
afternoon, but he had scarcely noticed
them.
He was sorry now that he had ar
ranged to stop over on some business.
He was sorry that he was not going
straight through, for she had told him
that she was to be on the train until
we'll into the next day.
He swore softly to himself when the
porter came to brush him down.
"Be in your station in ten minutes"
he said briskly as he picked up the
suit case beside Clifton's seat and took
1t to the forward door. Clifton fol-
lowed him more leisurely and stopped
at the girls seat.
81 am grateful to you for most de-
lightful afternoon" he said earnestly.
81 am sorry that our ways part SO
quickly, but somehow l feel certain
that shall see you again"
sT'm sure Of it," said the girl with
laughing eyes But next time hope
that the introduction will not be SO
abrupt"
'.I'll follow the adage and let sleep
ing dogs-and sleeping car passengers
sleep on" he laughed. "Goodby-and
thanks"
Their hands met for moment in a
| ~ L. III
way to the door.
The train pulled out before he turned
away from the platform, and with the
last fash of the car lights on the CLINT
ing gold of her hair terrible sense Of
loneliness came over him. He had not
askedsfor her address. 1t would have
been worse than rude, and he wanted
her to think well of him, but now he
.. was sorry that he had not rsked CIV
ing offense 1t was too late now.
though. She had probably passed out
Of his life forever, and he turned away
toward the hotel stages with heavy
heart. Now that the train had gone
on he knew that he had fallen in love.
and with an unknown girl at that
There were letters waiting for him
!, !, at the hotel, including one from his sis.
: ter urging him to close up his business
and get home quickly, as she wante.l
him to reach there before her school
= chum went back home
!, Clifton caught up sheet of note pa
4 per and wrote line to Nell. He sol
+ eninly warned her to cherish no hopes
hot ,n foJ1 ;, !.
girl on the train." he wrote. "Unless
I can find her you will never have !:
sister-in-law. think shall stay her,
until your visitor goes.'
He sent the letter downstairs ant
| turned into bed, but sleep was laggard
| room that golden head, and he re
| preached himself for his foolishness il
| not finding out who she was.
4 He rose unrefreshed in the morning
4 and went duly about his business
The girl of the train was before hf
eyes all the time 1t was silly. he toll
/ himself, to feel so about woman b
/ would probably never see again, We
| at the same time he realized that sh
| had made an impression upon him tia
| time could not efface.
He tried to read that evening. but b
could not keep his mind OH the mag;
zine. and at last he threw it down an
| gave himself up to meditation. H
knew that if he brooded on the sui
ject he would be unfit for business {
| anything else. He must find the gi
| somehow. Perhaps he might trace III
| through the conductor of the train. 81
II must have come on board about
II o'clock Perhaps he could run up Il
J line and find out from the ticket agen
I'm He had about decided upon that schen
when there came a knock at the doc
M and he went to open it. a bellbc
IN. thrust a telegram into his hand al
stood waiting to see if there was ;
his answer. Clifton broke the seal lis
NO lessly. then gave shout. The MESA,
ost ran:
ort "Come home. you silly. Bess WI
lad ston was the girl in section 1G. 81
lch saw your name on the suitcase. That
md why she was so nice. Nell
yd- "Any answer?" asked the boy. fdgs
the ing first on one foot and then on t
vas other.
he II hope the answer will be yes.
rst said Clifton absently. II mean"
went on quickly. "yes there's an a
t a swer" And he stretched out his hal
ins for the blank
get ----