The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-07-10

lA ring and on inquiry informed
IEe19sI him that the ladies of the
&2&&2J HampdeD family were not at
home.
will you wait, sir?"
NO" And John turned away Ea
walked out into the country across the
bridge ut the confluence of North
Branch and South Branch. where rises
Grants Knob. He followed the path
that leads, corkscrew fashion. to the
crest of the knob. and there, in the
thick Of the shade of II big walnut.
leaning against an old bowlder that
had crowned the knob longer than John
could remember, sat the object of his
guest
He had an instant to look at her be-
fore she observed him. and smilingly
he awaited himself of it. And very
charming. very allnring she was to his
eyes in her light summary gown and
the big. soft legl,orn hat with its flow
ers and leaves dancing in the breeze.
An open hook lay in her lap. but she
was not reading. Through half closed
eyes sho was gazing dreamily at the
hills that marched away into the blue
distance
He took a step toward her, She
heard him and looked up.
''FIrllor' he said
Good afternoon" Her salutation
was worry cool indeed.
"Of course If you don't want me to
stay
ut isn't my hill.'
Tie laughed outright Her tactics
ncver wary. it seems he remarked.
Effective. though Queer. isn't it.
how attractive girl becomes when
sho puts on that frigid. speak to me if
ynl dare manner?'
''You were very stupid not to know
me the other day"
"Rut remembered you
"Yon mean you forgot all about me. "
-"as an impudent, long legged, free.
klcd tomboy with red hair while you
He paused deliberately.
"My hair was never red" she replied
coldly
Suddenly the clouds broke away She
returned to him with laugh. 'Oh.
can't keep it up. But where did you
got your courage? You weren't nearly
so brave the other morning. I've be"n
here six days. Why haven't you come
to see mey' she demanded.
well. you see" he began lamciy tc
|
tant things to think about and"
And I was neither important nor in
tercsting Yon need practice. ! sec"
"Bnt you are"
You really find me Interesting
You know, I've worked hard. very
hard. to earn the involuntary. generous
compliment am about to receive.
II do-surprisingly So" he Responded
promptly.
you needn't be 81 surprised. she re
tortcd. II was always rather present
able in spite Of the freckles. only yo'
wouldn't cundescend to notice it, >o'
didn't like me-
"Rut you were such Il prsky llttit
nuisance. you know. Let me Sec. n
added reflectively, that was--ycs. it,
been ten years since | last saw yon
Not counting the other morning, o
course
mo. eight" she corrected him. "Yo
saw me after the big game. the tim
YOU saved the day You walked rie''
/ by me, looking straight into my eyes
and never recognized ME, You wer
too anxious to reach Adele Whiting
ton and bc made II hero of by her Sh
was as proud as--as I'd have been
I'd had the chance-to exhibit y""
How is Adele!'
''Oh, she's dreading thirty. is fishtin
down Il tendency to fat. has begun
paint and often asks about you. Al
you still in love with her? And am |
cat to talk so about her? Aud has sh
had many successors|'
mo to all three questions She CAV
me bad three months, though.
"I'm glad Of it." she declared veng
fully. Didn't you know ! was terrIhl
in love with you? Thats what mac
: me such 4 pesky little nuisance. %
I YOU needn't look SO shocked since
!; was only calf love and have quite r
! covered. Quite"
So while the golden afternoon wane
; they exchanged pleasant nonsense II
; spirits rose nnaccuuntably. He ".
! very boyish, very gay Sometimes the
! rose to half serious discussion th;
! skipped lightly and audaciousfy abo'
from peak to peak Of human know
! edge. She had travelled much with h
father, who, it appeared. had real
learned how to travel having to nal
I the most of his limited leisure 81
I knew places nut starred In Haedeker
n.,ainA e.hsn,aro carnnrS of the on rt