The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-01-14

road and were nearing the lodge when
the machine stopped and refused to
move Investigation proved that the
gasoline had given out.
Once more the chauffeur heard MIR
Southgate's opinion of him in rather
pertinent language There was moth
ing to do but to walk to Linden Lodge.
so Irene and Arthur started out for
the jaunt The distance was short.
but Irene was dressed for riding and
not for walking. Her dainty slippers
with high heels were little support.
and, suddenly turning her ankle. she
uttered Il little cry
Are you hurt?" eXcl;,I;..pI South
gate with some concern. There was
certainly something very congenial
about Irene Arlington. he decided.
mot a bit" answered Irene. only
the heel of my slipper has come on"
What the deuce shall we do now?"
be cried. She smiled. and before she
could answer he added. "F0r heavens
sake don't tell NE that you just love
to hop ON one foot
Not that" laughed Irene, but do
you go aud get stone and knock the
other heel off; then can walk in slip
pers without heels, as the Riddles do :"
Arthur Southgate had never learned
the cobbler's trade, but as he took OF
the old slipper he almost wished he
had The heel was knocked Off. and he
put back the slipper. took Off the other
and pounded the nails hut. replaced
that, and in few minutes they were
on the porch of Linden Lodge.
Arthur sent off Il man from the
garage with fresh supply of gasoline
for his man down the roud Irene set
her hat Alright and awaited Arthur's
return
Were pretty late. guess" he said
as he joined her, "fOr | can't seepl to
find Jack and Mrs. Jack anywhere.
Are you comfy all right?''
"Yes. indeed" assured Irene. but
do wish you would telephone mother
that we will be bit late. You know
mothers will worry
Arthur called an attendant.
Call 9G7 Terrace. will you? And
when you get them I'll talk
Beg pardon, SIR" began the man.
but the telephone amt workin' today.
Anything else. sir?"
Yes; get out of here!' roared South
gate. ''Well-I'll be-jggered! What
next. do you SUPPOSE"
Dinner. hope" said Irene, with Il
hearty laugh. I'm a weeny bit hum
cry"
At the table Arthur Southgate ate lit
tie. He never could tell himself In
after years whether it was his appe-
tite that played him false Or whether
some new quantity came into his be
ing ana left uU rUUrn fUI uuy thfr11
| else.
But during that meal Arthur's idea
of women in general and one in par
ticular seemed to pass through a meta
not, at least. Perhaps all women were
| not spitfires He knew one who was
| not ut least. Perhaps all women were
| not hysterical and unreasonable-and
| lot of other disagreeable qualities
with which he had always attributed
| them.
The hot soup was almost cold. the
iced asparagus was lukewarm. and
the after dinner coffee was rather BIT
ter. but Irene ate with ravishing ap-
petite and said everything was just
right.
1t was lovely ride home without
any nishaps. and Arthur sat gazing ut
Irene Two or three times he started
to say something, but for some reason
the resourcefuI Mr.. Southgate could
not frame his sentence just right.
| Finally he leaned bit closer to his
companion.
"Irene, I'm in love-in fact, I've beer
in love for some time. and only
found it out lately"
! "Oh, how nicer exclaimed Irene.
when did you find it out. and who's
the girl?"
"Just found 1t out about an hour
ago, and. WE'LL wouldn't have to gel
out search warrant to find the girl
Irene was glad the darkness hid bel
bushes.
"Do you think that girl with the
most heavenly disposition in the world
"a disposition that absolutely nothing
could ruffle-would consent to marry g
prickly bear?" faltered Arthur.
"Oh. should think she'd just love
TO tame him!' cried Irene before st,
realized the significance of the remark
But the prickly bear lost no time n
hugging his victim, and her tanning
methods were as oil upon the troubled
waters of life.