The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-10-19

rect OH FuD!lc opinion. peOple are not
so sure now that Howard has not told
the truth all along. His friendships
true girl friends-are sending him flow.
ers and notes OF encouragement, and
even strangers are writing him kind
hopeful letters
"Weli that's all right" Mrs. Lang
ham said coldly. Even if be is found
guilty at his trial it will be a comfort
to Mary to know that she did so much
. for him."
fact, many now don't believe he will
They say that no guilty man could
stand up as Howard is doing under
such charge and put such Il brave
face on the matter.~ They are reading
what he writes and saying that his ar
ticles don't sound as if they came from
IA guilty person. 1t is all due to-tc
Mary Trumbley. She brought it about
Mother. most persons think money is
an advantage in life. begin to think
1t is q serious drawback. If Mary
Trumbley had been rich society giri
an opportunity Of this sort could not
have come to her. I'd rather live ON a
farm at the foot Of Il mountain. as she
does. and be able to do what she is
doing than to marry millionaire and
live in Il mansion in New York or Lon.
DON"
"Oh, bosh!' Mrs. Langham shifted
"Of course it is good for her to have
such a talent. for that's all the poor
girl has, and she deserves something to
vary the monotony of her hard life. Ii
| didn't think you had more sense than
to do so I'd be afraid you were actual
ly interested in Howard Tinsley."
"Why, mother!' Cora's glance sank,
and her lips twitched. Don't you
know he is in love with Mary Trum-
bley?' she faltered He couldn't help
it after-after all that has taken place
recently. AS for me. he hates me
that's what he does: he hates me. I've
never sent him single word Of en-
couragement l was afraid. you see
to stand by him. suppose am still
am a coward. He'd been friend tt
me. but deserted him the moment he
| got into trouble. You Influenced me tC
do 1t. had no will Of my OWL
haven't yet. as for that matter.
Il am unworthy. wouldn't have
turned against Howard Tinsley as
| did if had been worthy. rll.never be
| worthy till l can. stand test such as
Mary Trumhley has stood. and such &
chance may never come to me now"
Cora suddenly covered her face with
her hands.
! Cora. dear, you alarm me-you real
ly do" said Mrs, Langham. "Yo,
upset me frightfuliy," the mother
slowly said Il see it all. II is this
trouble of Howard Tinsley's. iot
ought never to have met such MAI
as he. You are allowing your con
science to bother you in silly. fanci
full way. When you entertained hin
at our house that day you showed BY
your desire not to admit other caller:
that you wanted him to yourself. Yol
had never acted so with any Othe
man. You were excited unduly. fol
wanted to make good impression.
don't know what passed between you
might have listened. but l was IN
able to do SO without your KNOWN!
it, and
"I'n tell you" Cora uncovered he
face and with piteous eyes Staret
straight at her mother. That yer.
visit separated me and him forever
He saw the sort of life clung to. ant
if-if he had ever thought of marryin:
me lie gave it up then. | saw 1t in hi
face-in his strong. manly face. | reat
his contempt for every bit of gaud.
display we made that day.
He had been holding off; though
he was leaning to Mary Trumbley, ant
resorted to that contemplate subter
fuge. thought-oh. | thought tina
perhaps when he saw newell, as
live at home-he would-would be in
fluenced as other men have been and
md declare himself"
You are idealizins IL very ordinar.
person" the mother declared. "lf h
had killed that man impulsively or II
anger he might deserve some little cor
sideration. but the fact that he is delil
erately lying to save his neck"-
Don't, mother. don't" Cora broke ir
Il stick to it. know what am tall
ingabout. Down home yesterday hear
that Hamilton Quinby of this place. VIII
stands at the top of his profession rs
criminal lawyer. was at the Kimba
House Well. confided in him-to som
extent did not compromise you;
simply hinted ut Howard's attention
, to you ana told him that l wanted
know if he thought Howard was guilt
or not. Why, he actually laughed 1T /
idea of Howards innocence. He sal,
In confidence, that he had refused
, defend Howard simply because Of IL
absurd and fatal claim Of innocent
that lie Insisted on making"
: dent believe he is guilty." Coz
said sharply. Il don't care what Han
ilton Quinby says. Really, mother, Il
u sick with shame at leaving him in tt
lurch may never have another cllant
to be real woman. I've been tre
! md found wanting in moral courage;
'; have been forced to stand by and see
woman with more soul than / hay
l. obey Gods holy law. while was boun
to things of the world"
CHAPTER XIV.
Pleading For a Life.