The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-12-06

his assurance.
If you please" he said, I'D like to
talk with you. NoH-as she ventured
10 withdraw into the room-I won't
keep you long, and I'll say it here.
my first subject is art. | wish to
give you a little dissertation on art
With rapidly beating heart Polly
waited. 1t was impossible to follow
tile excited rapidity OF the outrageous
young mans flowing talk. OF one
thing she was sure, he was insane.
Insane. and she alone on the deserted
floor of an apartment building, at mid
night. What should she do?
To call out or startle maniac, Polly
remembered, might bring on danger
GUS climax. What should she do?
Again, very cautiously, she moved
toward the shelter Of her room.
"Waitr' cried the young man sharply.
Il have more to say to you than this,
much more"
In the momentary silence that fol-
lowed she feared he would hear her
frightened breathing.
81 love you," burst out the young
man at last. II love you. For long
days have watched you stealthily,
adoringly. All my future Is built on
hope of winning you. Your love can
raise me to the highest paradise, your
refusal sends me to the lowest depths
Of despair. Weigh well, then, lovely
maid, your answer-lest destroy my
self in your presence; take care"
Family the girl leaned against the
doorway. Surely she had fallen asleep
over her sketching. and this was but
part Of troubled dream. From down
the hall came low, confused murmur.
81 love you," cried the young man
again-"I love YOU" His voice ended
in wall. Say yes, or destroy my
SELF"
With sudden fash of light the door
opposite was thrown open; for m In
.stant che" stood there, perplexed. un-
certain-he, the. one wise, kind soul in
all this dreadful city. Polly never hes
itated. ooh, please~ she murmured,
and rushed toward him. The man of
the opposite room put her aside gently
while he caught the wild youth by the
collar Now" he asked sharply,
what is the meaning Of all this?''
Up from the shadows Of the long cor
ridor. came slowly and silently in their
sneaker shoes dozen men, young men
Polly's startled eyes discerned them to
be, and for the most part they were
laughing or covering their mouths to
smother their laughter. Her tormentor
of moment ago was grinning, too,
grinning rather sheepishly, as the one
mans stern gaze was bent upon him.
Explain" commanded her protector,
''or shall call the police!"
"Oh, Mr.. Lawrence" said voice,
.let us down easy. Maybe we did over
do IT a little tonight Int we got Dretty
gay. It's the fraternity Initiation, you
know. Bayes, here, was ordered to do
a few stunts, had to travel around
town nil night In that RIG and end mn
with a proposal to the prettiest girl in
the building. We picked Mister
Chester out as she came in tonight and
stipulated the art talk when we'd learn
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ue ne iausheu' Dut y was Aunny.
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