The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-06-24

ABOUT tue, tel HIIu udSe lOSt all Ol
my money and am earning my living
this way"
"Ah-ah!' Inez said mechanically.
Now l know what you are up to-"
Then, as dapper little man with an
upturned blond mustache stood in
the doorway. she whispered, "Fll help
you out!'
Reginald came over at once.
Can you make room for five at your
table?' he asked 1nez. His eyes fell
"Why-why''- And as Charlotte whisk-
ed herself away he turned to Inez.
"How much that girl looked like Char
lotte Stetsonr'
1T is Charlotte lnez's tone was
lugubrious. Poor thingr'
"Why?' Reginald demanded. "Why
poor thing!'"
"Shc has lost everything and has to
work"
"Oh. but it can't be"' Reginalds tone
was dismayed 81 had understood that
her money was abseRteh safe He
stopped. 'I-er-of sE,rse it is very
sad.''
/ Charlotte, coming back with the
crabs. received an illuminat ting look
from IneZ.
"Can l serve your she asked Regi
nad demurely. and he stammered: ooh
yes. I'm sincerely sorry to find you
here-Miss Stetson.'
please don't talk about it," Char
lotte's eyes were clouded, and her tone
| Of distress seemed so genuine that
Inez stared.
| The girls delayed long over the luncI II
| and Reginald delayed with them. I'M
comfortably watching Charlotte rs she
deftly made the tables ready for after
noon tea.
The room was almost deserted. ex-
cept for the five, when through the
doorway came big. broad shouldered
| figure. Charlotte, who was bringing in
finger bowls, saw him first and her
tray dropped with a crash. Her face
was white as she bent to pick up the
little brass bowls. Her dress was wet
Her crisp apron was bedraggled.
AS the big man sprang to assist hel
she fled from the room. And then the
| big man walked over to Inez and de
manded, What was Charlotte doing
in that dress:"
''Oh, Dick! Inez stretched out hcl
hand in welcome. "Dick Wentworth
when did you get back from Arizona 2
Yesterday" he told her tersely, ''bu
want to know what Charlotte !:
waiting in tea room for
Inez glanced at the girls. ut Regi
nall. and then brought out bravely
''She is earning her living
She expected an expression Of sym
pathy, Of coincidence. but instead th'
big mans face was radiant. "Char
lotte poorv' he exclaimed. ooh. wher'
Is she?'
81 will find her." Inez promised
"and take her home with me-" Ant
she Went in search Of Charlotte, whom
she discovered, red checked and we
eyed, in little room adjoining.
"Oh. Inez." she gasped when she say
her friends. what does Dick Wen
worth think Of me?"
"Think." Inez told her. '.Why. h
looked radiant when said that yo
were poor"
On Charlotte's face dawned an e1
preston of bliss that puzzled Inez
"What has come over you. ChaI
lotteT she demanded. You look a
If life suddenly were one sweet song.
"Well." Charlotte blushed as she tol
it. sit begins to look as if the littl
? plot Of my making had been carrie
beyond my expectations
eve can't talk about it here" Inc
said. 'Get your things On and com
to my home. and we will talk it over
When they reached the front dot
5 they found the three girls and Reg
e nald and Dick waiting for them. Re:
r inald refused to go with them in Il
motcr.
!. 81 am starting on a long journey
e he explained stiffiy to Charlotte.
should have told you before. but m
( plans have been made hurriedly."
"Bcn voyage" Charlotte wished hi
. lightly, but as he went down the sire
7 she shrugged her shoulders. "Goodb
little man." she said and laughed al
D waved her hand to his retreating figur
i Once in Inez's luxuriant home Dill
q demanded Eve minutes alone Wi
Charlotte, and when he had her to hin
+ self he said: Il love you. You kno
!, it, Charlotte"
: "IIow should know ity' she aske
. "You have never told me-"