The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-06-17

she watch from her window that 1.-THE
figure swinging down the street as If
it walked on air. She saw him cropping
his way through unending darkness.
with only sad memories to keep him
company. And then on the desk beside
her she saw Darrell's card. which the
maid had just laid there.
No one has ever given an explana-
tion of the fact that woman's tender
ness for one man is so likely to result
in cruelty to another. But owing to
this popularity of feminine psychology
Darrell's sole reward for years de-
votion was the hasty note the maid
brought down five minutes later:
cannot see you this afternoon. And
please do not come again till you are
willing that l should be nothing more
than your friend.
HILDEGARDE DEvRIEs.
"A lady to see mey' lack Carr. sit
ting in his darkencd room. With shade
over his eyes. betrayed kno satisfaction
at the prospect of bmpanionship.
whats her name ?''
She didn't say.ssirsS 3 kostell
you that friend would like to see you
for few moments"
"Oh. show her up. I'm not much TO
look at just Mt present: but. anyway,
the rooms too dark for her to see'
His philosophy stood by him till a
swish of skirts on the stairs suggested
an idea so preposterous that his heart
leaped He put up his hand as if to
ward off blow. Then voice said.
"Jackw
"Hfldegarder' He sprang forward
stumbled over Il footstool and regainetl
his balance and his self control at the
same moment. Pm not quite used to
this sort of blind mans buff" he said
in rather breathless voice. "5ou
must find chair. please. Awfu!ly
good of yol to look me up, I'm sure.
Hildegarde was thankful that the
room was dark. In the clear daylight
| her courage would have failed her.
| "1t wasn't good at ALL" she quayered
in an uncertain voice. Il just had to
see you. Jack" Her voice died away
and she regained it only by an effort
Jack, tell me-was l mistaken in
thinking that you used to care fol
me?'
The pause that followed seemed un
| endurably long NO Jack said a
last in voice unlike his own-''no
that was no mistake, God knows
She breathed more freely now tha
the plunge was taken. Except for thu
dryness of her throat and her burning
cheeks she felt almost at ease.
But | was mistaken about myself
Jack. | thought | could be satisfied
with a great deal of money and goo'
social position and all that. and wba
wanted all the time was you hav
maney enough for both of us.
! shan't give you a chance to remembe
your-blindness" She hesitated a
the word. but took 1t gallantly. like
Thoroughbred 'I'll be eyes to you an
sunliglt-oh. Jack. I'll make you haT
py in spite of everything"
He crossed the room and stood bt
side her. .tHildegarde.'' he cried hoars'
". You mean that you are ready t
, refuse Darrell and marry mey'
"aIr. Darrell means WELL" Hide
gaFde acknowledged with an mir {
wishing to give every one his du
But you're-Jack.'
. ..You-you said something about m
eyesight." stammered Jack. did yo
mean
Iildegarde caught his hand. 20
dearest, that was what opened n
eyes. When | heard that you wei
blind | couldn't bear it. and then
knew perfectly well that | couldn
= live without YOU"
$ He swept her to him. and blissf
s moment followed. But the mysteriol
sixth sense which belongs to you Il
d HiIdegarie to divine disquiet In b
y lover. She drew away palpitatin
* Jack, are you sure that you havei
! got over caring for me!"
y He was SO reassuring on this poi
NJ that the scared color came back to h
II cheeks .Yeu're not worrying beca,i
le you're not richi" she rebGked b
e quietly. ..Nhy. Jack. We can get alo
e beautifully with what have. even
t. don't come in for a share of Unt
T. Enoch's money!.
n ut isn't that altogether. darliI
You spoke about my eyes
IN She flung her arms about his ne'
IS My eyes are yours from now I
I'd dear. I'll never give you chance
L. know that you've lost anything
.You are an uaseldsh angel, $:
Sc Jack with conviction. But the tr,