The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1908-04-16


didn't dare let himself be seen. He
was afraid even then that the man
would say:
'Fee-fi-fo-fum,
/ smell the blood
OF an English mum
Kittie lent herself to the dramatic
possibilities of the poem and cake
walked solemnly to its rhythm. The
afternoon walks were part of their
daily routine. but today they had start
cd later than usual owing to the
threatening clouds of the early after
noon. 4 sharp peal of thunder startled
Katharine from her meditations, and
she was alarmed by the sudden down
pour of rain.
"Come on, Kitty; we must run for
your ogre's house. This is awful on
you after your attack of tonsilitis.'
Kitty hung back. the heavy rain
trickling from the red wing on her
hat in red stream down her cheek
''Oh, Miss Jarvis, II guess I'D rath-
er get wet" she said. her teeth chat
term. with cold and fright
Nonsense" said the girl, taking her
by the hand and running toward the
shooting box at the top of the hill.
"You are so thin you would never do
for an ogre. childie. And, besides. J
expect it's Il nice old man who viii
tell us stories and let us sit by his fire
and get dry while the storm is passing.
;nl- Of 1,of 1fyJl
you've just had, dear! We mustn't let
it come back
She pounded breathlessly against the
door, and when it opened suddenly the
force of the wind sent them staggering
into the room, which, except for the
log burning in the open fireplace, was
darkcncd by the shutters closed
against the storm.
The man had evidently been smok,
ing on the couch drawn in front of the
fire.
Its fortunate you were near enough
to run in-it's almost Il cloudburst," he
said, throwing on another log and
apoIoSizing for the amount of tobacco
in the atmosphere.
Katharine's fingers, clasping til.
chld's hand, tightened convulsiyely.
Its fortunate for the little girl
She's been sick, and if you will allow
me | will dry her shoes and stockings
Immediately" she said constrainelly.
| At the sound of her voice Bradley
| turned in amaZenent.
! ''You-you.' he exclaimed, putin:
! his hand on her shoulder and pcerin:
at her in the hickerins light. 1--WE
been hungering for the sight of yol
! for months
Kittys overwrought nerves gave
| way in q shrek of dismay.
ooh, Miss Jarvis-you're not to-
! thin, and he-he wants you.' sh'
gasped, hiding her face on her gov
erness' shoulder.
| Bradley's astonishment was miNe'
with mirth.
/ by Jove. That's 4 precious kid
Didn't take her minute to diagnos
the case. He certainly wants you
and has for ages"
Katharine, seating herself by tn
hearth, took off the child's shoes am
tried to quiet her.
| .She is dreadfully wet. Have yo
blanket we could wrap her In unit
her clothes dry"
He brought the couch over, and kit
ty, forgetting her woes, succumbe
to the warmth of the fire on the sole
Of her bare little feet and was 500
fast asleep Bradley laid her on tn
couch and drew it close to the fire.
'.Now tell me why you refused t
answer my letter and how you droppe
SO completely out of sight he d'
manded eagerly.
Katharine smiled family.
II thought you seemed undecided a
to whether you liked Miss Kindly
me better, and l knew she was ia
more suited to be your wife than L
your aunt's companion. So accep