The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-08-21

matter He solemnly assured himself
that he was Il fool. both for having
dallied with unhappiness al! summer
and for going now OH a Journey that
could only intensity futile Iongings.
He sustained the Indictment by con
tinuing his journey When he found
Katherine they strolled. Katherine
chatting unconcernedly. to seat in Il
retired corner of the grounds--only the
fact would not have been significant t"
John-where she had sat so long after
her talk with Warren Blake.
She leaned back in one end of the
seat. He sat at the other, us far away
from her us he could. half facing her.
She was not really beautiful-her fea
lures were too firm for that-yet even
another than John might have been
excused for thinking her so in the
softening light of the rising moon
Only her eyes, softly lustrous in the
pale light, marked her suppressed eX-
element
do you realize" she said. this is
the first time we've been alone this
summer? You have really managed it
very awkwardly.' AS though she had
not done all the managing!
He had nothing to say.
Am ! such an ogress. or have you
been afraid that I'd propose to you
again"'
Il haven't been fool enough to take
that seriously" he said quickly. And
I'm old enough to know the danger of
playing with fire. At least" he added.
Il ought to have known it."
He could not help thinking of the
months to come when, with less en-
crossing tasks to take his mind from
the ache, he must renew the loneliness.
| grown more poignant, Of the last win
| ter He wondered now at his weak
ness in letting himself, despite his
| knowledge of her and of what she
meant 10 him. be drawn again within
the circuit of her charm.
| He became aware that she was
speaking. with that amazing courage
which was always hers.
II am sorry" she said But |
haven't been fair to you The things
father works for are what appeal to
me. not the things you dream Of
The prestige. the power, the knowl
edge that belong to the men who are
conquering. not dreams or ideals. count
with me- 1t isn't very pretty, is it
from your point Of view? But its
true II could wish it We're different
Last summer it was different. | wa:
trying to decide what wanted i
have always been more or less in loyt
with you ever since | can remember
And saw you were beginning to care
unseXed myself. | pursued. to learl
whether you were what | wanted.
tried to believe. to make you believe
that could have you and the rest
And | don't greatly blame myself TO
that. Because | am woman must
sit passively by and wait for happi
ness to come? | was drifting between
two Ideals, but-struggling against 4
Of course-toward you. Do you kno'
it's your fault l didn't drift further
You wouldn't take me- You made
mistake the night of that rally, bein
SO fnical in your notions of Pcs
mans honor. You ought to have take
me in your arms and made me go
you l should have gone-gladly,
faithfully too. But you wouldn't
He listened unresponsive to he
words that. halting sometimes. fell
low. measured tones with curiou
, underlying regretfulness.
, "Now it is too late. I've had time
think, to weigh you against the otht
: things Last winter taught me no
much they mean to me. And | tin
] you-w wanting. This summer has NJ
= changed that. What you ask costs tt
: much"
II ask nothing
t "True. l forget-you ask nothin
l. Last summer you need not have aske