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

/ was down at the spring below Irum-
bley's yesterday, an Mary come to me.
I thought she had some'n' to say about
somen' Or other-my wife an the chill
dren or some'n' like that-but she
didn't speak a word. She jest come up
to me, so she did, an put 'er arms
around my scrubby old neck an kissed
me- Then she drapped 'er head on my
shoulder an cried like happy child.
Great God, Uncle Alb, you kin dyke up;
you kin bow an scrape an cavort
about to that music In thar with all
the women under the sun eff you want
10, but wouldn't swap places with
you. The war didn't kill out slavery.
fer I'm a slave to that gal an will be
as long as live"
When Pole had ridden down the un-
lighted street Abner turned back into
the hotel. poles all right now" he
thought, but wish I'd passed my
hand over his hip pocket. He's apt to
git drunk when he's plumb happy, an
he's been sober quite spell now.
Well, eff he does I'll look after i'm
OOu DfeSS HIS SOUL.
The evening was wearing away to
the patter of feet, gay laughter. merry
talk and music. Mrs. Langham lay in
her bed trying to sleep. Suddenly she
heard the door Of her daughters room
creak Us it opened. She decided that
it was Cora who had come up for
something pertaining to her toilet, and
she listened for further sounds from
the room, but none came. Mrs. Lang
ham lay still for several minutes; then.
hearing nothing more, she rose Won
deringly and softly opened the door
between the two rooms. Her eyes first
fell on the bureau, but Cora was not
at it. Next she looked at the bed. 1t
was smooth and untouched. There
was no light In the room save what
was shed by the moonbeams which
fell upon the floor, and on the sill OF
the window looking out. silent and
still, sat Cora.
"Why, daughter! What does this
mean?" the mother exclaimed. Has
anything happened? Are You sick?"
mo; I'm simply-simply tired, moth
err" Cora said. Don't bother about
me. I'm going to bed in few min
utes."
ITO bed?" Mrs. Langham repeated In
surprise. why, the dance IS not more
than half over! Supper has not been
served
II don't care" Cora answered.
Mrs. Langham stared at the marble
| like face in the white light; then. TAX
| ing q deep breath, she drew up chair
and sat down close to her daughter.
Il may as we'll confess it," she half
| faltered. Pm worried over the way
| you are acting. Nothing interests you
here lately. I know from the way you
| talk-from the remarks you drop-that
you don't read the letters through that
come from cur friends at home. You
are not the same. darling.
There is only oneSthing left for me
to think. and that is that you are really
in love with Howard Tinsley."
mo, no, Pm not-that is, don't
think am really, really in love with
| him. 1 don't think l could love IA
man who loves some one else as-as be
does Mary Trumbley. But-but. moth.
err
| Cora's voice seemed to lose itself in
the clinging moonlight
But what?" Mrs. Langham demand
ed. go ON, go On. l want to under
stand this thing. I'm worried to death. y
Il may as well be frank" Cora turn
ed her face directly tosard the grim
one in the shadow. Mother. as look
ed at Howard and Mary tonight and
read their faces l realized what life
can mean to persons who look at II
right They are alive; am dead. They
have something to look forward to that
Is worth while. but have nothing-ab
Their expects me-to so back to Atlant;
and take up the sort of thing l have
been through every season since came
out in society. l am willing to do II
for your sakes, but myself shall be IL
mummy's body. Life means more
than our set thinks it does. / know
what real love and genuine self sacri
fee mean, for have seen examples Of
them here in the mountains. know
what another thing means too. I've
had even closer view of that.
know what fear Of an empty world:
opinion Will bring to one. | know thu
black curse Of spiritual coWardice
Mother I know what l have lost ant
what Il better woman has gained.
have lost the love Of good man."
| THE END.