The Bossier banner., 1915-04-22

OConnell never dropped his high
spirits all the time they were together
On board the ship. He went aboard
with a laugh. and when the bell rang
for all visitors to go ashore he said
goodby to Peg with laugh. while
poor Pegs heart felt like stone in
her breast She stood sobbing up
against the rail of the saloon deck as
the ship swung clear. She was looking
for her father through the mists of
tears that blinded her
Just as the boat slowly swept past
the cid of the dock she saw him right
at the last post so that he could watch
the boat uninterruptedly until it was
out of sight. He was crying himself
now-crying like a child-and as the
boat swung away he called up: my lit
tie Peg! Peg O my heart How
she longed to get Off the ship and go
back to him: They stood waving 10
each other as long us they remained
in sight
While the ship plowed her way to-
ward England with little Peg on board
the man whom she was crossing the
Atlantic to meet died quietly one morn
ing with no one near him.
The nurse found Mr.. kingsnorth
smiling peacefully as though asleep.
He had been dead several hours.
Near him on the table was a cable
dispatch from New York:
My daughter sailed on the Mauretania
| today at 10 o'clock.
FRANK OWEN oCoNNELL
Mrs. Chichester. whom we last saw
under extremely distressing circum
nently into the story. She was lead
ing secluded and charming existence
in an old and picturesque villa at Scar
borough. in the north Of England. Al
though her husband had been dead for
several years. she still clung to the
outward symbols of mourning 1t add
ed softnesS to the patrician line of
her features and touch of distinction
to her manner and poise. She had an
illustrious example of a lifelong sor-
row. and, being ever loyal. Mrs Chi
chester retained the weeds of widow
hood and the Grape of affliction ever
present.
She was proud indeed of her two
children, about whom she had written
SO glowingly to her brother Nathaniel
Alaric was the elder. In him Mrs
Chichester took the greater pride. He
was so nearly being great-even from
infancy-that he continually kept his
mother in a condition of expectant
wonder He was nearly brilliant at
school At college he almost got his
degree. He just missed his blue" at
cricket and bat for an unfortunate
ball dribbling over the net at a critical
moment i'll the semi-tinal of the tennis
championships he might have won the
cup He was quite philosophic about
it, though. and never appeared to re-
proach fate for treating him so shah
billy.
He was always nearly doing some
thing. and kept Mrs. Chichester In a
lively condition of trusting hope and
occasional disappointment. She knew
he would arrive" some day-come into
his own. Then all these half reward
ed efforts would be invaluable in the
building of his character
Her daughter. Ethel. on the other
hand, was the exact antithesis to Alar-
ic. She had never shown the slightest
interest in anything since she had first
looked up at the man of medicine who
ushered her into the world. She re-
|
greatest complacency. She was never
surprised or angry or pleased or de
pressed Sorrow never seemed to af
feet her-nor joy make her smile. She
looked on life as gentle brook down
whose current she was perfectly con-
tent to drift undisturbed. At least
that was the effect created in Mrs
Ckichester's mind She never thought
1t possible there might be latent pos
sihilities in her impassive daughter.
While her mother admired Ethels
lofty attitude Of Indifference toward
the world. manner that bespoke tht
aristocrat, she secretly chafed at hel
daughters lack of enthusiasm.
J How different from AIaric, always ful
, of nearly new ideas. always about tt
do something Alaric kept those arount
] him Oh the alert No one ever really
knew what he would do next On thu
other hand. Ethel depressed by he'
r stolid content with everything abou
her. Every one knew what she wOult
door thought they did.
Mrs. Chichester had long since aban
, dored any further attempt to interes
: her brother Nathaniel in the children.
Angela's wretched marriage had up
set everything-driven Nathaniel to b.
a recuse and to close his doors oI
near and distant relatives.
Angela's death the following yea
; did not relieve the situation. Ii any
thing, it intensified it. since she left
baby that naturally. none of the fam
$ lily could possibly take the slightes
] notice of-nor interest in.
j 1t was tacitly agreed never to speal
+ of the unfortunate incident. especiall.
D before the children. 1t was such
r terrible example for Ethel and so dis
3 couraging to the eager and ambition
: Alaric.
: Consequently Angela's name wa
!. never spoken inside of Regal Villa.
z And so the Chichester family pur
0 sued an even course. only varied b.
Alaric's sudden and definite decision
e to enter either public life. or athletics
0 or the army. or the world of art
: was really extremely hard for so we
! equipped young man to decide t
e limit himself to any one particular pul
: suit. Consequently he put off the fina