The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1908-03-26

was because Of this that he had spoken
in the old fashion, "Cynthy, s'pose we
tell what has happened since last we
metz
And Cynthy had not resented the re-
turn to old speech or the use Of her
name, but had answered simply, |
"S'posin'," and Lem was not disposed
to quarrel about the answer.
But 1t was one thing to decide to |
speak and quite another to find the
words one wanted. While he was still
seeking them Cynthy said, "S'pose ]
begin?'
Gratefully Lem accepted their re
versed positions and answered in his
turn. 'S'posin'.''
Cynthy found comfortable spot and
sat down. while Lem threw himself at
her feet. Then she began in simple,
unaffected way to tell the story, which
the man eagerly drank in. So much
depended upon that story. 1t would
either open his lips or seal them for
ever, and he knew it. He composed
himself to listen, determined that nei-
ther by word nor look should he en-
barrass her or make it difficult for her
to give him this glimpse of her life. He
could not help wondering if it meant
as much to her as to him.
"There isn't a great deal to my
story. Lem," said Cynthy. Il did not
know how fond of the old place was
until we had moved away. They say
| that those who are left behind feel
worse than those who go because new
! things take up the attention. l dare
say that is true in a way at least. but
there is kind of longing for old
places and old friends that is worse
than physical pain when it strikes and
that only the absentee can feel. True.
it is not always there. One could not
stand it if it We're" Cynthy spoke in a
reminiscent tone, more to herself than
to him, and Lem felt sort of comfort
in the knowledge that he was not the
only sufferer.
II went to school and gave my whole
attention to my books, as had de-
termined to fit myself for a teacher.
Somehow l think it always lay back
In my mind that l should return here
some day l will not deny that the de-
sire became less conscious purpose
, than subconscious dream as the
. years went by, but about six months
ago it famed into Il purpose that would
, brook no opposition
| Here Cynthy paused and fell t
thinking. Lem noted the fast chang
: ing color now, and his heart sank .
| little. He wondered what had rouset
Cynthy to the sudden determination
ana whether it BODIED good or Ill TO
: him and his hopes. Every momen
! seemed to make it more a matter o.
t life and death that he should know hi!
D fate.
|, With heightened color and eyes tha
9 looked steadfastly at the far horizon
j Cynthy resumed her story, APPARENT!
+ unconscious of the anxious scrutiny o
/ her companion. about a year ago :
!, young student came to board with us
+ as you know, | never had brother
n and before long we became excellen
friends. 1t was very nice to have SOM
one to depend upon, ever ready to d.
wnat one needed, to play escort ant
big brother That was what we botl
called it at first But it seemed t
grow to be more. .and-and-why, then
he asked me to marry him. 1t was
surprise to me at first, but after awhil
l thought would say yes. Then 1t oc
Cured to me that before tying mysel
to promise that might not be abb
to keep l should see more of life.
was not sure l could be minister
wife, and besides l did not kno,
whether I loved him or not. / needle
absence to prove my feeling to mysel
SO that Is why | am here. | apple
for and finally got the position G
teacher, and here l am, out with yO
just as in the old days, and it har,ll
seems as if it could be six years sine
then. Does it, Lem!'
Something in the question made til
young mans heart leap and the ht
blood rush to his head. He locke
sharply at Cynthy, but she appeare
to be merely wondering aloud. al
hope died down again. But it was tin
for his story now, and, moreover, /
felt as if he could tell it, indeed mu
tell it. let the outcome be what
might.
ut seems to me, Cynthy," he sal
''that perhaps without my knowing
YOU have always been big factor
my life. I had taken your friendsh
as such a matter Of course that II
thought Of it at all it was as sOmethll
that could not be changed. Thereto
your going off to the city that ";
was a blow that stunned me. cou
es- not get used to it. i did not once thil
he Of asking you to write to me. In IA
IT. I could think Of nothing but that y
're were going The place seemed nigh
gave myself up to my work In the m
an as If that. too, would never chan:
as But 1t bothered me that you We
WI going to have opportunities in the q
he that would put you away out Of 7
tie class. That thought was discourage
ch- until one day said to myself, 'Cyntl
ot- s'pose we both studyy And it seem
he to me that could hear you 81
In 'S'posin'.' That settled it. | beg;
hts and after a year or two, during VIII
lie l had been steadily advancing in
the mill, l asked this question: 'Cynt
zen s'pose 60 away and take techni
md course and fit myself for assistant
his perintendent? And again you seen
aak to answer, 'S'posin'.'
her II talked the matter over with
itF, superintendent. who had always b.
for c.1 u1 l.. ho,rt;l,- ,rpr