The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1908-07-16

was sleepy and my head ached. had
to ride in automobiles and go yachting.
A yacht always makes me sick, and
you know what l think of automo-
biles"
Mr.. Langdon did not seem properly
impressed, so Dora continued in an
aggrieved voice:
Il spent hours racing around with
golf sticks when Id much rather sit
down quietly with an agreeable book.
It's very we'll to do what you dislike
Il you're accomplishing anything, but
all this activity was accomplishing
nothing except spelling my temper
and making me thin. But you haven't
said yet that you were glad to see me.
Robert
Langdon's look OF alteration seemed
to be nothing more than she expected
"Yes, Dora, am glad" he said sim
ply Il thought you had forgotten
me. l didn't blame you,' he continued
hastily as she made dissenting ges-
ture. Il was glad to think that at last
you We're enjoying what your beauty
and your nature entitled you to aud
that your brave conduct In adversity
was being properly rewarded. But
why did you come back here, Dora?
Why did you come back to this dreary
manufacturing town when you had the
whole world to choose from?'
Dora looked intently at him While he
was speaking. She noted the streaks
of gray in his well kept hair. the sad
droop of the patient mouth, the many
lines around his tired eyes.
For more reasons than ore. ] knew
you needed looking after. Robert. |
knew you were lonely and working
hard in order to forget. | knew you
were tired and that your eyes were
used up. | knew you felt the heat
more than ever and wouldn't take any
refreshing trolley rides out into the
breezy country or go Oh any coy little
picnics without your old friend. Now
Pm going to inveigle you out every
afternoon, and Wen read our fayorite
authors in the evenings, just as we
used to before became an heiress"
Langdon drew deep breath and
looked longingly at the girl. who ap-
peareG to be unconscious of having
said anything unusual.
Il was tired" he said. His eyes and
voice were perlously near tears, the
porch was deserted, and he laid his
fly- ssp,it I'm thu flY.
ture the knowledge that you thought
of me and came back to cheer ME up
will keep me from fatigue aud every
other ill. But you must return to your
relatives. If you don't like Newport,
there are other places. Travel. Dora,
and get the good Of the money that
came to you late, but tia III. God. not
too Later
Dora regarded him with an amused
tenderness.
"You don't know me half as well as
| know you, Robert. | have no inten.
ton of going back to the relatives who
| ignored my very existence until Tn
Gle Timothy left me a fortune. And
don't want to spend my money il
travel at present. l came to the place
like. and here I'm going to stay"
| Langdon leaned suddenly toward
Dora. His pale face flushed, and his
hands trembled. but he pulled himself
up again resolutely.
| "I'm right, though, Dora. In spite OF
| your heavenly kindness it can't be thu
same as it was when we were boil
poor. My dear girl. don't you see tha,
it is different?'
| Dora smiled tenderly at him.
Certainly l see that it's different
because now l have the means to pro
vide luXuriously for the old mother
and delicate sister and to keep up /:
house for us BOTH
LanSdon was shaking visibiy
Dora. it will not do. Your husbant
must he more brilliant man than thi:
old friend, though he can never be :
more faithful. He must be of your ow:
age and your own financial standin...
You make it hard. dear one. but yo,
must go back tomorrow
Il shall never go back she sait
resolutely "And l shall never have
husband, Robert, unless it is this un
selfish old friend"
Langdon raised his hand to his tire,
eyes to hide rush Of happy tears
'Do you mean he stammered.
/ Yes" answered Dora gayly; .
mean this us proposal. It's leap yeal
| YOU know"