The Bossier banner., 1917-01-25


pearance her strange excitement SEEM
ed to vanish. She turned, half dazed-
", to look into the eyes Of her compan-
ion.
"Where are wei" she asked slowly.
The young man in turn regarded his
surroundings with puzzled air.
81 don't know" he stammered. Then
his dark eyes twinkled. Looks Ike
somebody's flower garden"
1t was indeed a flower garden.
Blooming geraniums bordered the
hedge and roses clambered riotOusly
up their trellises.
Eve are trespassing," the girl said
severely. You should not have
brought me here"
brought youl" the young man ex-
claimed ceproachfully "Why, you
were so keen on seeing that aeropiane
Just had to help you along"
Madge studied her escort with inter-
est He had evidently started out
uDop this chase as unexpectedly as
she for he was both hatless and coat
less. She put up ner hand to smooth
her disheveled locks, dushing with
embarrassment that her sudden inter-
est in aeroplanes should have led her
into this peculiar position.
Never mind.' the young man said
kindly GIVE me permission and
will see yon safely home The streets
will be filled with the returning crowd
al this time"
AS Madge fingered ,rresointcIy q
heavy rnmbling overhead caused both
10 look up in apprehension; then with
out further warning down came
heavy shower. ,ircat sheets of rain
swept tho garden: it blew In :hcir
faces; 1t soaked their rumplcd hair;
it lay IN little pools across the drive
way The man caught her hand, draw
ing her comreIlingly toward the house
ia the background.
Place seems 70 have been vacated
for the summer he said US they
found shelter beneath Il vcranla roof
otherwise you might ask for pretec
ton inside. The hest thing under the
circumstances for you to do is to wait
here while go for an umbrella"
Maslae lonkcl up at him Indignantly
DO you think would be- as sellisi,
as that:' she said. why, you waula
be lrenchefl before you could reach The
gate
The man smiled.
Then we both had better STA,
fA~ - tl,t
shower cannot last long
She flashed glance at hiiD as he
dropped easily into seat ut her side.
then. rs their eyes met. her laughter
ripplej merrily.
DO you know she said Il think
that In some unaccountablc way
hare slipped back to my childhood
days. Surely it is an unusual! pro
ceeding for a grownup to go racing
about chasing a big balloon WITH"
"a big boy" the man finished laugh
ingly. Tic bent over. her. let us
keep up the game for awhile" he said
impulsiyely ''One Is not often priv
ilcged 70 return to the happy hours Of
childhood. Now. when was a kid
we became acquainted by simply ask
ing two questions-'What Is your
name. and where do you live"
Every we'll Madge agreed dclnure-
ly. What is your name little boy. and
where do you live:"
My name.' the young man answered
gravely, lis Thomas Westinghouse
Chalmers, generally known as Tommy.
and ] live on Beechwood avenue
The girls eyes widened why, S,
do W she exclaimed
gerly.
1.-Two hundred forty-four. And
yours?"
I'VE ure neighbors-near neighbors,"
the young man answered delightedly.
"Mother and moved recently into the
house directly across from yours
"Really?" said Madge "How very
strange that we should meet In this
er-informaI manner"
isn't il I" said Thomas Westinghouse
Chalmers. His eager eyes sought hers.
ut will Irot lie our last meeting Ii
The sun had removed all trace OF the
shower when he finally stood at the
entrance Of Madge's home bidding her
reluctant goodby. Then as lie reach.
cd the gateway he slowly retraced his
steps.
Il have a confession to make" he
began difidently Please pardon q
poor, lonely sinner. You see, knew
that you lived in This house all along.
Fact Is spend most OF my time Just
looking over hcre-and-and Il was my
overwhelming desire to know you
which prompted me to deliberately fol
low you this afternoon
Madge looked up at him, gently ac-
cusing. Then her lips curved into an
inscrutable little smile. Il knew that
you followed me-" she replied. II
hoped you would when started"
And when her family returned later.
damp and weary after tiresome walt,
because of overcrowded cars, they
found that young lady calm and serene
rocking to and FRO on the yeranda.
"You We're wise to remain at home.
my dear" her mother said, "for gazing
at airships Is but foolish pastime."
Madge's eyes shone dreamily II
think it's lovely one" she said.
How Madge made the acquaintance
of the young man who had moved into
the house opposite none Of her family
could find out. The rest Of it was plain
enough. He called, he sent her flowers,
he took her out to ride in his car, he