The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-10-26

est constitutions. lou UiuSL keep UP
hope. The editorials you are writing
are the finest things you ever done.
Then thar-s Mary-think Of her. How.
ard"
Abner saw a look of inexpressiblo
tenderness suffuse the. wan. steel
framed face and heard the prisoner
sigh.
Lord, Lord, Uncle Ab,' he said. Il
seldom think Of any one else here Of
late If l am condemned to death I'll
carry to the end the sweet thought Of
what she has been and Is to me. That
Is worrying me, too, and don't know
what to do about it"
How is it worrying your Abncr
asked /
why. Uncle Abner" - Towards
voice shook, and he averted his eyes
her beautiful young life. so full of
sweet unselfishness, ought not to be
associated in any way with mine. l
brought this thing on myself. She used
to warn me against my hot temper and
plead with me to control 1t. If had
listened to her advice I'd never have
been accused of this crime. and so now
some people are saying that she and
are engaged to be married. She Is the
most wonderful girl in all the world
and deserves long life of happiness.
She doesn't deserve having her name
dragged in the mire like this. l don't
care so very much for myself now.
I've passed that point. but the con-
sciousness that that dear girl is suffer
ing through my worthless existence and
may suffer even more is unbear:,ble."
Don't say that. my boy" Abner
pleaded. You now know what wo-
mans love means. You now know
what many husband don't know even
after passin' long life with a faithful
wife. You have proof that Mary Trum.
biey would die fer you-s Amt that
Some'n'2"
Howard's breast rose under a billow
Of emotion. We've never spoken OF
our love-" he said. I'VE talk chiefly OF
| our work. You see. am not in q po-
sition to tell her how l feel. didn't
before this, and l can't now. want
her to know how have grown to love
her and lean on her since I came here
and yet can't honorabiy mention it."
Il understand" Abner said tenderly
You needn't bother about that, though
Mary knows. She shows it in her gen
tie face when she comes back to the
Office after SEEM you. She has been
my mainstay In this matter. Howard
| She hain't never fer one second doubt
cd yore release. She gifts that from
God direct. She is sufferin' keen pain
over the way you are bein' treated.
but she believes in her heart that II
will end"
/ s,-*
Within half mile of Trumbley's were
the Hilldale camp meeting grounds
which were used annually by several
Protestant churches for open air union
services for week. The time had
come around again, the farmers hav'
ing laid by their crops to wait for their
ripening and being free to attend.
On the first Sunday Of the meeting
the spaces in the surrounding leve
woodland were well staked off and
filed with housekeeping tents, each
having its fireplace, where food was
prepared.
On that first Sunday morning -Abnel
rose and looked out Of his window
upon the road. He dressed himself
carefully. putting on his best blacl
trousers and coat, which was lont
frock and worn without a vest in thu
summer. and then went out on til,
dew wet lawn. Here he met Mary. III
empty pan under her arm. She wa!
coming from the barnyard. where sh'
had been to feed the chickens.
II thought yore ma did that job sine
you become a up to date newspape
woman?" he jested as she greeted hin
with welcoming smile.
II do it on Sundays" she answered
!. Il don't want the chickens to forge
me-"
big meetiD' they are goin' to hav
down at the she'd he remarked, brush
ing some lint off the sleeve Of his coat
They say Brother Wellman is reg
,ular wheel boss at whoopin' up sinner
. an backsliders. You are a-goin', ain
; your
; She shook her head, put down he
!, pan Oh the grass and began to reti
his crayat, which she said looked lik
I shoestring. Il don't feel like it, sh
= said. with swift glance into his eyes
her lips quivering. Last year Howar
and went together. and-and-well.
I don't want to co.
I II remember Abner said, seein
p that her voice had completely faile
q her. 81 remember when he come b
fer yon. Me an him had chat tina
s on the steps while you was primpil
r up an putin yore hat on. La. !;
). things have changed. hain't they?
t watched you two as you passed throug
|, the gate an strolled across the meat
e ow to escape the dust o the road, bot
5 Of you pickin' flowers. l went OIL
b meetir' an set thar good half hou
fore you an him finally come. YO
y made Il purity sight. as purity as i
J. care to see | remember / thought thf
k you two didn't need no cut an drie
religion. Thar was youth an bapp
Y ness. good will an faith shinin' out
e yore faces. remember how you al
e him giggled out loud when the benc
# give way an Brother Carroll had sec
p n tumble In the. straw an got up S
h mad that he refused to pray when the
d axed i'm. Them seem happy day
S when you look back on 'em. We, o
u TO look forward fer happiness fnstea
= ., back. but we don't as rule"