The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-06-22
with US, and you shall tell us why you
wanted the jade ring"


he was so deeply interested in the jade
ring. perhaps because he was more
interested in the girl who was wearing
it. 1t was a case Of love at first
sight and that night Mr.. Marston rather
ruefully confessed as much to his wife.
Jack Delorme's fine fellow" he
said, land the son of an old friend OF
mine. They lived for years in China.
but more recently In London. where
his parents died. There was something
wrong about old John Delorme's estate
he was supposed to be rich, but they
couldn't find any tangible evidence Of
it. Jack confided to me that he Is
tracing some of the property. Leslie
doesn't have to marry money, you
know, Sara. and Jack comes Of good
STOCK" he ended significantly.
So Leslie's parents talked 1t over be-
tween them, while the love which had
arisen 50 suddenly burned steadily, a
pure, unwavering fame. during the
months that followed.
Mrs. Fisk Delorme's monthly dances
were usually preceded by an hours
entertainment.
| Leslie and her mother arrived one
evening and found the ballroom filed
with a fashionable throng which was
enjoying clever vaudeville perform
ance. Presently world renowned
tenor delighted them with his golden
voice and finally tall figure clad in
richly embroidered Chinese robes stalk.
ed upon the stage.
It was the Chinese of the auction
room. the man who wanted the jade
ring Now he was preparing to mys
tify them with feats OF magic.
AS one in a dream Leslie heard his
shrill staccato voice as he clacked out
the 'patter' Of his act, and the sound
rang in her ears long after the floor
was cleared for dancing. Jack De
lorme came in late and at once went
to Leslie.
After their second dance he took heI
to the picture gallery. where they sat
down under group of tall palms.
II hope you are not going away
said the girl wistfully. Father said
you were growing tired Of New York.
Jack turned swiftly and caught hel
hands in his. Don't say that-don't
be kind to mer' he said hoarsely. 81
can't bear it,
"Why?" whispered Leslie. with rac
ing pulses.
why? Because love you-any ont
must know that-and yet cannot asl
you to marry me. I'm poor-poor a!
Jobs turkey! 1 had hoped / nigh
make good. but fate interviewed ant
took away the only chance had"
"If 1 were poor you wouldn't hest
tate?" she asked softly 49,.
"Ah, darling, don't tanta1ize me!' b
muttered in IN agonizcd tone. IF yo'
only knew how loved you-hoy
much want you for my wife! Per
haps some day when l return If yo'
are free-but. there, cannot ask an.
girl to wait on my uncertain fortunes.
He threw up his head proudly ant
smiled. Forget my unhappy walls
Miss Leslie. Don't feel sorry for me.
"Ah, L can't help that" confesse'
Leslie. Il must always remember you
But please leave me alone now. wan
tO'think."
The long gallery was empty nov
save for the slender red haired girl o.
the seat under the palms.
The sound of violins came alluring
ly from the ballroom, and the slip o
feet on the polished floor was like til
rush of waves on the shore.
Lost in thought. Leslie did not hea
the softly padded footballs as the CHI
nese magician approached. The yellow
clawlike hands were over her lips b.
fore she could scream out. Her eye
were almost black with fear as she n
garded him.
"The ringr' he Kissed. II want it"
She shook her head.
Holding one hand over her lips, b
managed to rip the gloves from her fiji
gers. Her hands were bare of rings.
With ferocious snarl Of disappoin
ed greed he flung her away from hil
and vanished down the nearest stat
way.
Assailed by new terror Leslie hu
ried back to the ballroom and foun
Jack Delorme. Il am afraid for III
father" she explained. HE saw th;
| was not wearing the ring and l
probably thinks l left it home; he wi
90 there and if father meets him-I Al
afraid!'
"Where is the ring?' asked JAG
quickly.
Here" she said, pulling fine go
I chain from her bosom. Suspended fro
the chain was the jade ring.
But why do you wear it there"
asked amazedly.
u A beautiful color came and went
her cheeks. but her eyes were dow
i cast. She did not see the look
K alteration in his eyes.
II will take you back to your mot
d er," he said, 'and do not be alarme
d will go at once and warn your fathe
and Oh my way Ill telephone the r
8 lice station. will return and repo
later" He gave Leslie into her mot
5 er's care and hurried away.
y Breathlessly Leslie related the who
II story to her mother. and to the gir
q relief Mrs. Marston insisted upon ca
q ing the motor and returning home
once. They arrived shortly after ia
le Dclorme reached the house.
I Just rs they entered the hall the
IL was the sound of crashing fall ovt