The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1910-12-01

!, DECEMBER 1, 1910.
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n"nt. were eloquent to Bartlett. He
m"nt to moment was held to y de-
termined standard Of calmnesx BY an
unresting herOism. and when be re.
membered that she had come 10 this
sad state through the mere exercise
Of helpful kindness his soul cried out
against the government Of the uni.
verse. She was. cousin to Carver's
wife; she had gone to that house Ut
afliction because she was needed
there and for no other reason.
the day. At half past 5. when Bartlett
went aboard the sound steamer with
all his worries on his back and the
pale. silent girl for sole companion he
was conscious Of depression Of spir.
its such as lie had never felt before
They had some dinner by and by.
and perhaps the food was good for
Bartlett. At any rate, In the course
Of the meal he was vouchsafed reve-
lation. He perceived that Celia's pres
ence was not depressing: be had been
labOring under a preconceived idea Of
what her effect upon him ought to be.
In view of her condition. and this
false notion had completely fooled
him. In reality she had not uttered a
complaint all day. She had express
ed no respondent view. but had gen.
tly striven to dispel the gloom between
them. all of which had emanated from
| himself.
Upon my word" said he. looking
across at her. you are a very cheerful
young woman
I'm comparison With whomr'
Myself"
| She nodded her head and smiled at
him.
| Il am good deal worried" said he
This business of mine in Boston sits
on me like an incubus whatever that
iS."
i am Sorry" said she.
Perhaps he had looked for little
curiosity. and perhaps the china blue
eyes read this in his face. for she tact
fully asked leading question. and he
told his story. There were few peO-
pie in the world with whom be would
have spoken as frankly.
The trouble Is. said he in c0nclu-
sion. that ! dare not 60 directly to
the president of the bank He's tar
tar. and this particular kind Of re-
newal Is his pet aversion. But IL
can have the matter put up to him in
just the right light by friend Of
mine (and pet Of his' inside the
bank the thing will 60 through. don't
want Boland even to know that came
over to Boston to see anybody in the
bank. | wouldn't have him know 1t
for thousand dollars
MIR. Boland Is the presidenty'
"Yes."
Suppose you should meet him on the
street." she suggested.
Il should dodge into the nearest open
door" said he. If he saw me IN BOs.
ton ut this time he'd know what was
there for. and be doesn't like wirepull-
ing inside his bank"
Il don't like wirepulling anywhere
said Celia. Il think you should meet
Mr. Boland deliberately
Not for gold and precious stones"
Il have feeling that you will" she
insisted. land don't like the idea
that you're afraid Of him."
Il don't like it myself" said he. "but
am
''rhen you'll surely meet him. inev.
er dare to be afraid Of anything fol
fear that it will happen"
Il admit there's something iu Il" said
he
Celia retired to her stater0om early,
and Bartlett went down to the main
deck. where in the girls absence be
reIapsed into gloom and cOnsOled him
self with strong cigars.
streaky fog lay on the sound. In
the thicker places the steamer would
slow down as IL bewilderp<l. and hel
whistle would exchange Impatient
blasts Of nautical conversation with
other whistles. A human irritation
seemed to animate these tones.
Bartlett thought Of Celia lying
awake and listening to the in0nrnfu
and alarming chorus. Tenderness.
came to his heart. he regretted tha
. he had not been kinder to her: that ht
had not spoken cheerier words at theil
parting
"All the human sense and goodness
have gone out of me-" he grOwled. :"
am the wreck Of what was'
II was past II when he went to hi
statervom. and he sat for long tim'
on the edge Of his berth. thinking
despondently OF the morrow. The wins
tie was now doing it's worst. and th'
answers were more petuient. He dis
tinguished one voice among them tina
seemed angrier than the others. and
drew constantly nearer. Then for al
J interval he missed that voice. Siienc
rpigned for perhaps no more than
. minute. hut II seemed much longer
BARTLETT rose to his feet be knew no
why.
In the depths of the vessel be hear
. a hell strike once. The vibration .
. the fabric ceased. The engine was q
rest Suddenly. close at hand. th
. whistle that he had listened for calle
, ont with Its strong voice. Two quic
. blasts answered II from his own We.
. sci. and instantly the bell In the depth
: rang sharply twice.
BARTLETT was In part prepared f0
! what came next. but not for The mas
, nitude of ii. The crash as the Nv
, ships met seemed natural to his ear