The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-05-31


and she strove to he content with rev.
erence. honor aud adulation-and her
work. The happy. upward lines on her
face. the upward curve of her lips, In |
dicated content. But sometimes hun |
ger for that something more which she
never received beset her. She was hun.
cry and restless NOW In her sisters
quiet summer home at Castro.
Next morning she came down to
breakfast dressed In white. She liked
to wear white. 1t softened her face.
which she imagined thirty years and
the cares of teaching were sharpen
ing.
"Auntie. you amt a-goin' 6shin' this
mornin'!" exclaimed her eldest nephew.
his fist plunged into his eye.
mo, my son; she's not going fishing
as you understand the word" inter
posed his father, with sly laugh
which. to Clyde's disgust. embarrassed
her
She tried to laugh lightly and ali the
way across the lake took herself Sc
vercly to task because the attempt had
been failure II she should act like
| self conscious girl before Stoddard
| Parker. In pause she made her boat
fast to bent tree oyerhanging the
shore and. hurried up the path through
the grove to the station.
The whistle of the express caused
her throat to throb uncomfortably.
/ i've lost the last grain of my common
sense" she thought Indignantly as she
| paused Mt the station door.
Parker stood on the rear platform.
he swung himself down and clasped
her hand, In an unwelcome fash her
old thought, abridged. rushed over her
Here is q man could love- Four
years Of college life had swept away
the ''if.'
She realized 1t as she looked into his
eyes His old awkwardness and the
consciousness Of his deficiencies were
gone. His old earnestness and honesty
looked straight at her, and the touch Of
his hand conveyed that subtle. name
less something which had always
drawn her until she had been obliged
to hold herself by that 'if."
AS they passed through the station
Parker. with courtly bow. held the
swinging door open for her to pass.
Clyde recalled the day many years ago
when she, with gentle tact. had taught
j the big farmer student that lesson IN
courtesy, and sudden sickening real
ization of age swept over her Us she
stepped out on the path.
. AS she led the way to the boat she
talked rapidly. urged OH by a fright.
, ened desire to reassure him that she al
| ways regarded herself as his elder
friend and sister. When they reached
the shore she turned and announced
! briskly:
Here is our boat. and over there.
! pointing. zig my home"
: Parker stopped and looked down a,
: her With his old, slow smile. which re
veaIed an mdcrcurrent Of tenderness
that was strong attribute OF his na
ture.
Suppose we don't go across thu
lake." he began pcrsuasively. ITS st
{ pleasant right here under this tree.
I believe that trunk curved Itself Ovel
expressly to make a seat for you K
0 rest OH now" He held out his hant
to assist her.
1t was odd to hear him suggestin:
and directing. AS his teacher that hat
always been her prcrogative. The col
= or flushed into her face despite her ef
forts at perfect self control.
"Yes. it seems made for mothe
confessor." she responded brightly. lay
ing her palm in his outstretched hand
> Asst closed over hers she was shaker
= by sudden passionate protest agains
their former relative positions OF teacl
/ er and student-a passionate desire t
4 be Just girl again here among th
4 flowers aud sunshine.
j Parker sat OF, the mossy bank ut th
1 roots Of the tree and leaned forWart
Z an elbow OH his knee. He laid his ha
a beside him and looked ut Clyde grave
ly. She settled back against the tre
I trunk. glad OF an excuse to shield lie
eyes from the sun-and him.
1 Its good to lie with you again" b
| said simply.
+ .'It brings back old times, does
b not" she laughed. when you used
I confess?
q He smiled and studied. Lake Castr
..Yes, that's what I'm going to q
now"
! ITS about time gayly Gliding. 1t
i been four years since heard your la
a confession. All my other boys ha,
written me occasionally"
Il Parker picked up his hat and exal
ined the crown. "Yes, we all rememb
you, some Of us better than other
judge" after pause, ''by the rcpor
from the old institute fellows, that -
are surfeitetl with letters.
..Oh, no. Clydc's bright voice i'eli'
her feelings. I'm always glad to he
from them ALL
An inscrutable expression passed ov
=. the mans face. You were such
- good friend to us all" he began al
he paused. Impulsiyely he rose. stcpp
lis down to the narrow beach and lean
at against the trunk of the tree close
he side her, as though he would brc
to through, the manner which belonged
,er the teacher and get within the radi
r. of the woman.
"Some way back at the institute
MT could never tell you what ! owe "
ION 1 started in there just green count
rk. chap. aud you-weli. you made
u over. There were things ] wanted
tell you before ] left, but some "
All ] couldn't. think I've commehe