The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1910-04-21
putting the whole weight Of you on Il
like that" she said icily.

putting the whole weight Of you on Il
like that" she said icily.
For moment look almost OF anger
came into Duggan's downcast eyes. In
that moment his Illusions all but fail.
ed. But suddenly he looked up. reso-
lutte smile wrinkling his face
Sure it's me own stove." he said,
with playful attempt at joviality. u
kin knock 1t over IL | want to-.
Katy looked at him stoniiy for a mo-
ment. then resumed her sewing. ner
lips set In ominous lines.
Again Johns illusions trembled. and
he sat dumb. looking vacantly about
the room. After all. 1t was uot a per.
feet room. Something essential was
missing His mind groped stupidity for
what it might be- Then. like an insp,-
ration, it came to him
"A bit of music would be chcerfu'.
loike in the house." he said. look,l:
placatingly at Katy. How would ynu
loike one of those nice phonograph.
they have at MacGraths: was
thinkin"- The look of horror in
Katy's eyes cut him short
"A phonographr' Her voice raspet:
sharp with repulsion. Il hate the
squeaking. snorting things Don't bring
one here
| ITO be sure, to be sure" John soofh-
ed. they are the onnatural things. an
that noisy too. You're righ, about |,
Katy, jewel. | was just tllinkun :
His voice trailed into wondering ST.
ience again.
The next night there was no fire in
the sitting room stove when i>usgan
came home. Katy was al work III he
kitchen. Everything in the little room
shone as if from recent securing katy
herself in stiffly ironed print gov"
and spotless white apron moved ab"u,
In noiseless efficiency. Duggau seated
himself gingerly upon the edge OF n
chair and tried to feel the deiigh, hp
professed iu watching the ciOckiikr
working out of the domestic system hr
had so long desired. When he had
prodded his fancy to state OF appr"
baton he rose. contented. aud. picking
up an armfui of wood, started for til.
sitting room Katy stopped him
We'll have no more fires in there.
she said firmly. 1T makes too much
mess. spend my whole time cleaning
up after you. You can sit out here.
Duggan's wrath blazed slowly With
heavy deliberation he put down the
wood and stood facing Katy
An has it come to this. he said
scowling savageIy, that | he denied
the privilege OF me own treside.''
Katy faced him. her eyes tiintIike.
Il can't be forever cleaning aflel
you" she cried. her voice shrii!ins
with excitement "You make iDors
Dirt never saw the ike. it's ;
servant you need to be after you tn,
whole blessed time"
A quick flame flashed in Duggan':
eyes, and his clinched fist SMASHED
down upon the table with a dist
rattling force. You'll clean for N,
no more. dye understand:" he cried
with sudden decision in his voice
You kin hev the house to yourself
Now. kape it as clane as you place.
And. slamming his hat over his eyes
he went out the door.
Katy looked after him, startie<
white creeping over her face.
He'll be back us soon as his tan
trum is over" she said. yet her hand
shook as she went Oh with her work
She set his place for supper ant
waited. but be did not come. Whel
she had finished her own meal she Sc
everything away. then drew straigh
backed chair before the Kitchen stov
and sat there At bedtime she ros
and with the same precision tha
marked her every movement mad
her usual preparations for the nigh,
Over the locking OF the door she hes
tated but a breath Then with clio
of the key it was done. and Dugga
was barred for the night.
Days heightened into weeks. an
Johns hand never once sought th
door latch Katy began to hear yagu
rumors OF wild extrayagances tha
filled her frugal soul with anguish
When in time these rumors becaln
more specific aud visions of her nw
portionless lot rose before her sh
felt that something must be done.
Duggan was standing before Il col
cert hall about to enter With two {
his cronies when Katy found hin
When she laid hand or his sleey
he turned. and, seeing her mis- ja'
dropped a1d the laugh on his lips die,
Il "Come. John.' she said. firmly.
= have a word to say to vou'
He held back moment. eying HI
$ distrustfully. then walked few steE
d with her and stopped again.
d Aren't you coming?" Katy deman
d ed. making as If to go on.
!, John looked over his worn cloth
n with q deprecatory smile.
d do you think me clane enongh?"
e queried with suddenly assumed an
/. iety.
3 Katy looked at him sharply. but b
d eyes were tixed solicitously upon Il
!, tips OF his shabby boots.
u "l've had enough OF this tomfooler,
n she lowered her voice to ten
II whisper 'you spending your mon'
Il like a common rowdy and living aw:
!. from your lawful home. Come hou
s with me this minute. DO yon hear?
e John squared back and at b
II a full minute before answering
d .Go home." be repeated. shaking
head slowly I'm sorry to disappoi
II you. Katy. jewel. but I'm that col