The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-09-20

guests lips the lurking evidence that
he understood the situation.
When they reached the Fairchild
The minister was there, an elderly and
benevolent man who had fulfilled his
duty to humanity by giving six daugh-
ters In marriage at tender ages. To
him Elizabeth's state of single blessed
ness had long been a source of perplex-
ity. Therefore when he saw her ap-
proach with stranger. evidently
gentlen an of proper age and dignity.
his face shone with that peculiarly In
dulgent. reminiscent expression with
which nge greets lovers.
Elizabeth recognized the look and
swept up the steps and into the hall
without paCsing. With more haste than
ease she dispatched Callahan to his
room on the second floor, then turned
and faced the minister. who had arisen
and followed her. his little clerical joke
all ready.
Good evening, Miss Elizabeth" he
said in a loud stage whisper intended
to penetrate to the upper chamber. II
see by the signs that the preachers
services will be required later, Ha,
hav With that he ambled down the
steps
Even Mrs. Fairchild, rocking on the
porch, was vexed. "Landv' she ex-
claimed Indignantly. Il hope that Ros-
ton man won't think you're being
thrown ut his headv'
Elizabeth made no reply as she de-
parted to light up her studio, but her
lips We're pressed together, red spot
dyeing each cheek, and when Gala
man entered the room a few moments
later he was confronted by formida-
ble array of designs and by a woman
bent on discussing business and bnsi-
ness only.
Stubbornly, but unsuccessfully, he re-
belled. In vain he directed the CONVEX
sation longingly to the moon lighted
porch-would he like the prevailing
tints of the autumn leaves on the tea
set red or yellow? His mind and
speech wandered to country drive in
the evening light, but his scarlet lip
ped hostess. moving amid her work
tall and straight, charming and mex
orable. firmly interrupted did he care
for a continuous or broken design
around the platter?
The task was not an easy one that
Elizabeth had set for herself, and 1t
was a weary head that she laid on her
pillow that night II hope 1t rains to-
morrow. was her last thought, 80
sthatI may keep him in the studio aud
out Of the reach Of remarks" But for.
tune seemed at odds with her, for the
morning dawned faultlessly clear.
After breakfast, when she would
have led the way to the studio, Calla-
man ignored her lead and with, What
glorious out of doors this place pos
sesses," stepped out on the side porch.
With contraction of the heart Eliza
beth followed and sat down facing the
battery Of Mrs. Bissell's green blinds.
the Stats Of which We're Immediately
moved gently to permit of reconnois-
sanee Of Mrs. Bissell's eyes.
With gentle firmness Elizabeth be-
gan again on the subject Of painted
china. Mrs. Bissell shall be epliglt-
ened as to my visitors mission" she
told herself and slightly raised her
clear voice that it might penetrate the
green blinds.
Cailaman's eyes smotllered laugh,
and his lips twitchel in q way which
threatened an open rebellion against
china, but Elizabeth did not notice.
She was talking against time as re-
corded by the sitting room clock, a
view Of which her position command
ed. And could wishes hasten time, the
hands Oh that clock would have raced
forward to train time-l1 O'Clock.
At $50 she heard Mrs. Bissell leave
her house by way Of the front door.
1.-The worst is now over" she assured
herself and drew long breath Of re-
lief--premature relief she discovered
the next moment when distant putings
and blOwings announced that Mrs.
Cavendish was laboring up the buck
steps for her morning call In the
kitchen, and Elizabeth became appre-
hensive of conversational developments
in that direction.
Her apprehensiOns were almost inn
mediately justified as Mrs. Cavendish's
asthmatic utterances were waited
through the vine draped kitchen win
dow. Dew tell! A mani" Then to
Mrs. Faircbild In demonstrating nc
cents: Ann. you can't fool me on no
chiny paintin'. He's here after Lizzier'
Elizabeth felt the laughter in Gala
mans eyes-her own were downcast
and smarting-but she talked on brave.
", unmindful of the fact that site had
asked three times concerning the deco.
ratiols of chocolate pot her guest
had purchased as a wedding gift. Bu!
when few moments later she arose.
announcing it was time to start for the
station, and he. surreptitiously exam.
ming his watch, found it lacked an
hour Of train time, his lips frightened
and his eyes sobered.
As they emerged from the house the
Highlands almost to q man gave them
mute reception. The postmaster, bar
Der, butcher. blacksmith and merchant
promptly. as though notified by wire
less tclegraphy, appeared. at the doors
Of their respective establishments aud
frankly stared. The women. more dis
Greet. peered from behind their cur
| taiIs.
Callahan had some difficulty in nc
commodating his pace to Elizabeth's
flying footsteps as she hurried up the
street and turned into the pleasant
shady retreat afforded by the bicycle
| path. which was short cut to the sta