The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-09-28
Her Autumn
OF Life
A Baby Changes a Woman's
View of Things
BY ANNA N. THOMSON
Copyripht Frank A. MupSey Co.
By ANNA NJ. THOMSON
Copyright Frank A. A1upsey Co.

The photograph was beginning tt
yellow even under it's protecting glass
katherine noticed this sorrowfully as
she sat holding it before her. under the
shaded light. regarding with tender
wistful eyes the little pictured face.
If he had only been spared her SHE
could have borne the loss of husband
fortune and position. The protecting
love of this her only son would have
sustained her, comforted her. through
everything.
She had nothing now to look forward
to. There was none to care. so why
not? Yes, why not?
Laying the photograph in its rict
frame carefully upon the table beside
her, Katharine Ware once again picked
up the letter whose receipt had Sc
shattered the dull tranquility Of hei
day and, turning to the second page,
began to read:
If you decide to go with me l will sc
arrange that, until we reach England, nc
one will know that you and are togeth'
er. Once on the continent the risk OF
great-I never follow the beaten path OF
travel.
| have so arranged my affairs that
can safely remain abroad for two years
In proposing that you accompany me 1t is
| with the idea that we shall each benefit
! and not lose by the arrangement.
knowing you to be deeply unsatisfiec
| ard unrestful in the present narrow
| monotonous restrictions OF your life. II
| ft,,f h snrty on
| joyed prior to the death OF your huS
| band, and-forgive mc!-realiZing that the
| chances are not many of your meeting
| any one with whom you could form {
| congenial and successful marriage situat
ed IS you now are. and realizing also tina
YOU are a woman not to be shocked by
the name of thing. but one who cal
| look a situation In tho face, weigh it's ad
vantages against its disadvantages ant
| thereby make decision and abide by it
I do not hesitate to ask you to becom
| my cherished and welcome companion.
You will not lose by it, let me assur
you, and at the expiration of this time
| that is at the end of my holiday, We cal
make some decision regarding the future
Am 1 too blunt. too frank with you
dear Katharine?
| Then forgive me on the score that an
trying, desperately. not to deceive you II
fricnds-we know each other.
OF you, Katharine, l am very, YER
fond; you know how conSenial are GU
tastes; you know that no wish of your
will be left ungratifed while YOU are un
der my protection. That, in so far as ar
able. l will guard you from every disa
, greeablc or unpleasant thing.
| You know me to be q man of my wore
and these things | promise you.
t Will you come?
| If so, telegraph me at the Royal nc
later than II o'clock tomorrow morning
, as shall have many things to attend tt
The Nomadc sails at noon on Wednesda.
remember. Ever devotedly yours.
DAVENPORT.
5 Katharine Ware laid the bulky epistl
: in her hap.
s Crossing her long arms back of he
2 shapcly head. she fixed her eyes on tn
iridcscent, beaded fringe of the bronZ
lamp OH the center table before her an
fell into deep study. Ever since til
arrival that morning of the letter frol
J Richard Davenport the woman ha
S thought of nothing else, and now {
It evening she was still thrashing out til
= question: Should she? Should she not
q Occasionally she would recur to di
ferent portions of his letter. vainly tr.