The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-06-17

"It would be the saving of US ALL"
st,a inciSta1 Significantly

"It would be the saving Of US all!'
she insisted significantly.
But Alaric was still obtuSe.
"Now. how would my holding and
:nolding Margaret save us?'
The old lady placed her cards delib-
erately on the table as she said senten-
tiously:
"She would stay with us here-if you
were-engaged to herr
The shock had come. His mothers
terrible alternative was now before
him in all it's naked horror. A shiver
ran through him. The thought Of
man with a future as brilliant as his
being bighted at the outset by such
misalliance!
He felt the color leave his face.
Engaged: Don't. mother. please"
He trembled again. "Heavens-engag-
ed to that tomboy!"
There was no escape. Mrs Chiches-
ter held him firmly.
"She will have 5000 q year when
she is twenty 600 a year-f5, 900
of the very best!'
She took him in her arms and press
ed his reluctant and shrinking body to
her breast. Think what it would mean,
dear-your family preserved and a
brand snatched from the burningt'
That's just it. It's all right saving
the family. Any cove'll do that ut a
pinch. But ! do not see myself as a
brand snatcher' Besides. l am not
altogether at liberty"
"What?" cried his mother.
"Oh. I've not committed myself to
anything. But I've been three times
to hear that wonderful woman speak
once on the platform! And people are
beginning to talk. She thinks no end
of me- Sent me whole lot of stuff
last week-'advanced literature she
calls it. I've got 'em all upstairs.
Wrote every word of 'em herself. New
er saw woman who can talk and
write as she can. And outside Of all
that l'1n afraid I've more or less en-
couraged her. And there you are-the
whole thing in a nutshell"
Alaric thought for a few moments.
The result Of this mental activity
took form and substance as follows:
"She is not half bad looking-at times
when she's properly dressed"
"I've seen her look almost beauti-
full" cried Mrs. Chichester.
Alaric suddenly grew depressed.
shocking temper, mater" and he
shook his head despondently.
"The woman who loves always
obeys!" cried his mother.
"Ah. there we have itr' And Alaric
sprang up and faced the old lady.
There we have it! Does she love meY
Mrs. Chichester looked fondly at her
only son and answered:
How could she be near you for the
last month and not love youT'
Alaric nodded:
"Of course there Is that. Now. let
me see-just get solid grip on the
whole thing. If she loves me-and tax
ing all things into consideration-foI
your sake and darling Ethel's-and for
my-that is
AS mother and son walked slowly
toward the house they looked up, ant
gazing through tiny easement ol
the little mauve room was Peg, bel
face white and drawn.
Peg decided to take walk in the
garden. AS she reached the foot o'
the stairs Alaric came in quickly
through the windows.
Hello. Margaretr' he cried cheerful
ly, though his heart was beating nerv
ously at the thought of what he wa
about to do, and across his features
there was sickly pallor. What have
you got there, all tucked away?" h'
ventured as the opening question tha
was to lead to the all important one.
Peg held up book for him to see
. ''The only thing I'm takin' away tina
l didn't bring with me-"
"a book. eh?'
That's what it is-a book" and sh
began to go upstairs.
taking it away?" he called up t,
her. -.s
, That's what I'm doin'." and she still
went on up two more steps.
| You're not really going away-cous
t in?" he gasped.
II am" replied Peg.
, Just moment" he cried, stoppini
; her just by an oriel window. Sir
paused in the center of the glow tha
, radidted from its panes.
, What is itT' she asked impatiently
, She wanted to 90 back to her rooI
, and make her final preparations.
Alaric looked at her with what b
meant to be alteration in his eyes.
"Do you know I've grown reall
awfully fond of you?" His voice 9uiy
, cred and broke. He had reached OH
3. Of the crises of his life
NO. | didn't know it. When did y
find it out:"
Just now-down in that room
when the thought flashed through In
that perhaps you really meant to leav
us. 1t went all through me. Pom ID
honor it did. The idea positively hui
me--really hurt me-"
did it. now?" laughed Peg. "Sur
an I'm glad Of it,
'Glad? GIad?" he asked in astonis
ment.
+ Il am didn't think anything cou
hurt We unless it disturbed yer con
fort. An | don't see how my goil
{ will do that
"Oh. but it WILL" persisted Alari
Really it will.'
"Sure now:" Peg was growing rea
o II curious. What was this odd lit
fellow trying tD tell her?
e Alaric felt that the moment had no
u really come.