The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1908-04-30
TT Double
Glopement.
By ANNE HEILMAN.
Copyrighted, 1907. by c. H. Sutcliffe.

ing across the road and the siaty SKY
above.
"They won't come" she assured her
self. Cousin Emma III never venture
out such a day as this. It'll be the
first Christmas I've ever spent alone.
She sighed unconsciously as she re-
entered the silent house.
Mrs. Blake lived in the outskirts or
the village of Clifton. She Kept boy
TO do the chores. had il COW aud chick
ems and lived in a comfortable way On
a tiny income. She was AUNT Hes
ter to all the young people OF her ac-
Guaintancc, which was considerable.
for she was popular, this worn woman
of fifty. Her sad blue eyes and faded
brown hair had compelling charm
even under the rusty black hat which
she wore in winter and summer alike,
and when she smiled your heart went
out to her. You could have told her
your most intimate troubles. sure of a
tender understanding and sympathy
and that the confidence would go no
further.
The bright, shiny little kitchen had
the incipient smells Of good things for
dinner in it, and Mrs. Blake set to add
ing yet another savory Odor
might as well finish getting the din
ner now I've started it, ran on her
low monotone She talked to herself
for company. mercy me-sleigh bells!
hastily opening the door. Charlie
Brock and Elvie Lee of all people
Hurry in and I'll get you some hot cot
fee. It'll heat you up. Why. Elvie,
what was your father thinking of to
let you ride out in such weather.
':Father doesn't know anything about
it," faltered Elvie miserably.
Mrs. Blake's glance went from one
to the other as she poured the steam
ing coffee. There were little humorous
indulgent creases In her face. You
are running away" she said.
Elvira hung her head and began to
cry.
Don't scold her, Aunt Hester
burst out Charlie. ut wasn't her fault
l asked her to 60"
"Well, what's she crying about:
questioned Mrs. Blake severely
Didn't she consent. or did you carry
her away by force. Charlie?'
"Of course he didn't" protested Ell
vira. Il said I'd go. but l wish
hadn't. l was sorry right after we'd
started, and IL made Charlie STOP
here instead of going to the minister's
l ought to go back home. | know ia
Their III be worried" And her lip began
to CULVER again.
"Well. he won't be worried long,
said Charlie. turning from the window
Hes coming down the road now"
Elvira sprang to her feet.
Don't let him come in, Aunt Hes
terri she cried excitedly. He'll be
mad at Charliev'
"Let him!' flercely from Charlie. 81
don't knows I care"
Don't say anything hateful to him,
pleaded the girl piteously, twill you
Charlie?'
Don't worry, Elyie," replied the DO.
soothingly. II won't hurt him."
II didn't mean that" cried Elvie
trembling and clinging to him. 81
don't want him to hurt your
would you care, Elvie?"
Elvira sobbed Historically. her face
against his coat.
"Of course I'd care"-in muffled tone.
-'you know I'd care"
Meanwhile Mrs. Blake watched thu
foundering horse far down the road
Hell be here directly" she warned
you'd better get ahead of him."
But Elvie shrank back.
Il don't want to run away" She
walled, still clinging to her lover.
Over her head Charlie looked Will
despairing eyes at the older woman
With swift determination to help him
she took the girls trembling hands i,
hers. "Elvie," she demanded, 'do yor
love Charlie Brooke"
"Of course l do" answered Elvie
looking at her in surprise.
''Well, then, don't knows l ough
to advise it, but your mothers dead
and your pail never let you MARI!
Charlie, because he's too poor. bu
that's no reason for separation youn.
hearts. You've both got love ant
health and strength, and, Elvie. you're
twenty-four and ought to know YOU
own mind, and If you love Charlie ant
amt got the courage to stand up il
front Of the minister, why, just sta,
here and let your father take you bacl
home. But If you want to marry him
you'll go now and have the words salt
before your father can pull his hors,
out Of the drift, and I'll get my wrap.
and go with you"
As she disappeared into the adjoin
ing room Elvie looked up into hel
lovers face. "I'll do 1t, Charlie sht
whispered. "Aunt Testers right. Sh,
always is. I'll go-wherever you 60"
ION second thoughts I've determined
to stay and have 1t out with tn.
SQUIRE" said Mrs. Blake as she hustled
the young people out to the cutter ant
wrapped warm rug around the trem
bling girl. Don't worry, Elyie. II
make it all right with your father
Mind you come straight back here fol
your dinner" she urged smilingly Il.
they drove rapidly away.
But when Elvira's father faced bel
at her own fireside few minutes lat
er there was no smile on her tired
face.
eyes, l helped them," she said def
antly, breaking the silence of thirty
years.
ut wasn't your business" SQUIRE
II You Have a ST