The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-03-04


took the reins In her hands while the |
green stun was tucked away behind
the seat. She told him laughingly
where she had picked It and spoke
her thanks for the freedom Of the
woods that was rendered her at once.
Then she fell silent, the unwontedness
of her situation commencing to op-
press her. She answered her neigh
bor's further friendly remarks with
monosyllables, wondering meanwhile
with painful earnestness what people
talked about, what they ought to say,
under such conditions. At length she
said what was uppermost in her mind,
as child might have done.
II never was in a sleigh before"
You were never in a sleigh before?'
repeated the man beside her, as II he
hardly credited what she said. How
is thaty' Then, Il beg your pardon"
But Miss Christina was unconscious
of any rudeness. .-
Father never owned One," she said.
The man drew his breath in softly.
Had no one else ever taken this young
old lady, with the still unfaded hair,
driving except her father7 he wondered.
"Do you like it?'' he asked.
"Yes," replied Miss Christina.
They were rapidly nearing the gate
of her home. "Shall we not go onr'
asked the man, adding considerably
something about the unusual quality
Of the sleighing.
| Miss Christina assented without
trace Of shyness. She was growing
more natural and at her ease every
moment. The possible and the real
were blending so harnoniously that
there was less and less room for self
consciousness. Even romance ceases
to be romance while 1t Is In process Of
occurrence: it becomes then merely de-
lightful matter, of course.
Not even the knowledge that at every
village window eager eyes were taking
note of the fact that the owner Of the
great house on the hill was out riding
with Crischany Stebbins could dim her
pleasure. She was talking presently as
frankly as IL to an old acquaintance
and listening with delight to the un-
folding Of new fairy tales. which her
neighbor's descriptions of cities and
sights abroad were to her unaccust0m-
ed ears. Touched by her naive inter
est. he exerted himself gladly and be-
came entertaining beyond his wont.
They had passed through the VII
lage, re-entered 1t by another road and
left It for the open country again be.
fore Miss Christina gave thought to
the passage Of time. She was com
pletely under the spell of adventure
The trees whirling past gave her
sense of pleasure in their shapes and
relations to the landscape quite new
the very fields she saw at different
angle and from higher up than whe1
: she traversed the road on foot. Tht
man at the reins turned the horse init
a crossroad that led to higher ground
: and Miss Christina caught glimps'
of dark blue. She uttered little or.
Of pleasure. For the moment she hat
almost forgotten the man at her side
He was watching her with absorbe'
, interest. II didn't know you could Sc
the ocean here" said Miss Christina
with the satisfaction Of child. The
have cut away the trees since was i
carriage" She stopped abruptly, r.
membering that it was in her mother
funeral procession she had last ridde
over this road.
Suddenly she missed her mothe
afresh. For almost the first tim
since the poignancy Of loneliness ha
begun to wear away she thought wit
real shrinking of the empty house
which she must return.
II ought to go back" she said. II
like the dog one of our neighbors use
to have when we,Nved at Bristol Il
little while. :. She kept him tied
all the time. She said 1t made him
uneasy il she let him run. W.
thinking I didn't want to go hon
now"
The man looked at her sharply, b.
there was no trace of significance
her face or manner. She was spea
ing her thoughts with perfect unco
sciousness Of how they might strike
r. listener. A change came over Il
mans own face; an expression
ar whimsical tenderness took possessis
ne Of 1t. He had done many odd Al
ba reckless things in the course OF b
y somewhat lonely life. He was goil
- now to do perhaps the oldest al
70 most reckless Of all.
- Suppose / were to say, DO not
:. back at all-go on with me always
- he said, bending Il little to catch MI
,,s Christmas answer.
:. She sat looking straight ahead. )
" was not In the least surprised no
She was not even conscious that b
heart beat at all the quicker. It "
~ :. what had been going to happen
. ways, only it never had until now. s
was entirely at home. It was as n
- ural and proper as events are In
dream.
:. 81 should say" she answered, aim
~ nrchly, "that It sounded exactly lik'
- proposal Of marriage
,n And IL It were?' the man said.
e. It were. what would your answer By
Miss Christina looked down at
mittenei hands and considered.
ue don't know" she said I'd have