The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-02-08

love he; so long as he lived.
But Walter got no further than q
beginning. He began with the words
II have been married." whereupon
the lady poured upon him such tor
rent OF abuse that he stood like one
translixed.
And so that old heather has kept
you under his thumb, after ALL" she
said In a rasplng voice that he had
never heard come from her before. Il
always considered you a milksop, and
now l am sure of 1t. Tell the woman
you've married that she hasn't got
much of man with the fortune. I'm
lucky in escaping that part Of 1t any
way"
This Is but a sample of what the.
woman poured out upon the man who,
looking on love purely as a matter Of
sentiment. had come to tell her that
the place she held In his heart would
never be occupied by any one else.
What she would have said to him had
he begun ut the other end Of his con-
fession-that all of his would be hers
did not appear: he had spoiled it by
beginning with an announcement that
she had lost large fortune Her
flaming eyes, her rasplng voice, her
red face, her contempt for him. drove
him out before she had finished.
Heavens" he exclaimed when he
got out into the cool air. What hor-
rible fate have escaped"
He walked the streets for an hour,
then went to his house. His wife was
just going to her room, but, noticing
his agitation, delayed her going and
asked him if anything serious had hap
pened. He was in mood to desire an
ear into which 10 pour the shock he
had received She already knew of his
infatuation; 1t only remained for him
to tell how he had been disenchanted.
''lf there was ever a contemplate,
asinine, natural born fool" he began,
Il am that person." Then he told her
where he had been. Of his confession
and the effect it had had oil the object
OF his previous alteration. why, tust
think" he went on. what a horrible
mess l would have got into If l had
married that woman! He'll would have
been heaven to It,"
''lou are indeed fortunate in escap-
ing such fate. l have believed that
your father knew Of this infatuation
and one of his principal reasons in
forcing you into the condition of legal
matrimony with me was to get you
out of the tolls of an adventures.
Legal matrimony," repeated Wal.
ter, for the first time quieting down
and pronouncing the words as II they
hurt him.
"And now" continued Helen, II will
| say this: Since your fathers object In
withdrawing yon from this woman
has been accomplished, whenever you
and he concur iii a request that this
marriage between you and me be an
| nulled will consent"
The expression on Walters face Is
not describable. He had received one
blow during the evening; here was an
other. The realization suddenly came
to him that for bad woman he had
exchanged good one. Had he not
been fool he might possibly have won
the girl whom his father had wished
him to marry and now. instead of he
ing In misery, he might he happy.
| Helen started to leave him to 20 to
look.
Don't go at once" he said. "''m all
broken up
She hesitated, turned and said: ANY.
thing can do to comfort you will
do. But l realized before consented
to this match that l was giving up
much in depriying myself Of one to love
me and whom | might love- With you
It was different. You expected to find
that comfort which is to be derived
from a pure affection elsewhere
Still that wistful look on his face re-
manned.
Come" she added, changing her tone
to a more cheerful one; ''let lis not be.
gin our life together repining. There
are refreshments In the larler. We
may play, as the children say. that this
is real wedding for us and be merry
She summoned a maid and told her
uf several dishes to bring that would
be appreciated for night supper
When the viands were served the pail
sat down ut the table. The bride placed
dainty bits on her husbands plate
and after eating the toothsome foOd
apd looking into pair Of honest. sym
pathetic eyes Walter began to recover
from the shock he had received, ant
1t occurred to him that possibly, aftcl
all, he might win this girl for his real
as well as his legal wife,
An hour passed. and they had he
come sufficiently chummy FOR Walter
to express this hope. He was met by
the assurance that. while the early 70
mantle love period would not he theirs
they might grow with that more ma
turc. stronger affection that comes
through long companionship and un
ion Of interest. This made the youn,
husbands heart leap within him. FL,
took her hand. bent toward her md
kissed her.
This eyening-eventful in the live.
of these two persons-took place lonl
enough ago to warrant the growing III
almost to manhood and womanhood o
several Of their children. The fathc
} and mother have trained their of
spring that in the matter Of marriage
they shall rely on older heads for ap
prevail Of life partner. This is no
that they are to marry ore repulsiye t
!. them or for gain. but that they are t,
!, guard against a misalliance Mt ali ag
, when they arc not capable Of deciding
. wisely.