The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-06-01

Sledge into the belief that you intend
to put yourself in the position Of re-
ceiving presents from him, and either
this thing must be stopped or there will
be unpleasantness between you and
me-"
There is one way we can head that
off," Molly quietly assured him. I'VE
can break our engagement"
'Impossibler' Immediately declared
Bert, frightened. 81 didn't mean any
thing like that. Molly" and he attempt
ed to take her hands and perform a
little of the lovemaking which he had
rather neglected.
Il mean it, though" she insisted,
drawing her hands away from him.
Our engagement has only brought
trouble to everybody concerned and
has subjected me to more than one in
suit which l had no right to expect
Ii we declare it off both you and IA
ther can go right back to where you
were I'm a business way"
"lt's too late for that" he assured
her, sitting down to reason it out with
her on the commercial plane since she
seemed to insist upon it. II could
never regain the political friendship
which is necessary to my style of busi-
ness. My commercial career in this
city is at an end, and my social stand
ing would be also. Knowing this, l
have been in correspondence with my
people in Baltimore. They have
| magnificent business opening there for
me, but it takes 100000 to obtain con-
| troll of 1t. laid the matter before
| your father, and he investigated It.
| Our conclusion Is this--if we can close
up our business satisfactorily here and
he can sell this place We shall have III
the neighborhood of $1JO,O0O clear be-
tween us. You and l are to marry, go
to Maryland with your father, enter
into business and take up the social
position to which we are entitled.
| When I take you there as my bride.
Molly, everybody's going to be very
| proud of you. and l am quite sure that
yau will like the social atmosphere
there much better than here. I've
dwelt on this so often to you that 1t
must seem like an old story, and yet
this is the first time that it has seemed
very near to u.s."
Molly felt herself wondering why
this glittering promise failed to thrill
her as it had used to do.
''I'Il be the proudest Glider that was
ever in the family when l can take You
home as my wife" he went on. Its
all cut and dried. Molly, and we ex-
pect to have everything closed up be-
fore our wedding day If We can hold
Sledge off that long"
And yet you scold me for helping
you hold Sledge off when you couldn't
do it yourselves" she retorted. "Why,
you actually suggested to me that l
should see what could do with him.
Il don't like the way you're going
about it." he confessed.
"You should be proud of me- she re
proved him. II think that Fern and
have done a beautiful Job of It." and
she began laughing. Were going tC
put on our very best frocks tonight and
be credit to you. You're unsrateful.' y
and she began to look indignant again
Lets forget H." offered Bert, laugh
ing, and took her in his arms. You're
the girl for me, Molly, and there won't
he any more enyied couple in Maryland
than we"
He kissed her and held her while ht
talked to her of the social triumph.
which awaited them, the topic which
had always pleased her most in theil
plans for the future. After all. they
would make a splendidly matched cou
PIE. Moreover, she did owe 1t to he'
father and Bert to give them anothe
business start