The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-01-07

a chance to waste my money as she
has yours-but today insisted on go
ing downstairs after my mail. in spite
of her protest, and there in the box
was letter addressed to some one
else Your wife blushed when | hand
ed it to her, but later saw her read
ing it, and later still heard her at the
telephone telling Signor Marascreck
that she had his letter and would come
right down.
James, that shameless woman Is
meeting strange men, and you know
what those foreigners are, and she is
getting letters addressed to an alias. 1t
is Dorothy Chappelle. If you want to
get divorce | will pay all expenses.
but not penny of my money shall you
have otherwise"
Miss Boxley settled back in her seat
with a determined nod that made the
plumes on her hat dance vigorously.
Jimmie lay back in his seat and choked
with laughter. Miss Boxley. supposing
it to be Mysteries, regarded him pity
ingly.
ut is all Dolly's fault" explained
Jimmie at last "She was afraid that
you might be prejudiced against her
profession, and she wanted to win your
affection before we told you. Auntie,
do you know that Dolly would love to
own some Bingham dresses. but that
she can't afford them?'
''She might sell the piano." suggest
ed Miss Boxley. with sniff.
"But that Is only loaned" explained
Jimmie Here's the way 1t goes. Dol
Iy Is concert singer and teacher. She
has no pupils through the summer, so
she closed her studio and had the
piano moved over to the fiat. 1t Is
loaned by the makers, and she pays
for It by recommending it to her pu-
pills. Her work also explains the con-
cert tickets. The singers send her tick
cts free and are only too glad to have
people like us come and lead the APP
plause."
And the dresses? They are also
loans?''
Not much! They We're given to her
by rich women who love to patronize
struggling artists. but they give her
only evening gowns. Dolly has one
good street dress, but in the house she
feels she ought to wear out this half
worn finery She can't afford to give
the dresses away, and they would not
bring dollar apiece secondhand. You
see we are paying for little home IN
the country. and every penny goes into
that fund.
THAT is why we live so cheaply and
that is why Dolly is trying to get a
steady appointment at the conserva-
tory The fact that Marascheck sent
for her argues that she has landed It,
1t is good news. Aunt Adra. not bad.
that you bring me- But to think that
you have accused poor Dolly of wear
ing frivolous clothes when she loathes
her glad rags as she does"
Jimmie went off into another gale OF
laughter, then sobered down to tell the
sacrifices they had made to earn a
hone that should be their very own.
When he had finished, the old lady's
eyes were suspiciously moist, and as
they rose to go she looked at him
pleadingly.
You will forgive meddling old
fool. won't you, Jimmie?" she pleaded,
and Jimmie kissed her twice-Once In
token of forgiveness and once for the
title Jimmie"
That night as he let himself into the
tiny fiat he found the two women por-
ing over samples and fashion sheets
Aunt Adra was sitting in the Morris
chair. and Dolly was perched on its
arm. the brown head against the gray.
Miss Boxley looked up, with a smile
as Dolly flew to greet her husband.
after this she said dryly, Miss
Dorothy Chappelle is still going to
wear silks and satins. but Dolly Box.
ley is selecting what she wants for her
home use 1t is my treat and my apol
ogy"