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

fuses to divulge her true name and ad-
dress. He asserts, nevertheless, that
lie will find her as soon as his circum-
stances admit, Ii he has to search the
country through, and then-why what
is the matter, valeria?"
With half startled gasp she clutch
ed wildly for the magazine.
"ls the authors name Robert-Rob-
ert franklin" she whispered.
Lets see. Yes. that's right. WhyT
'Oh, don't ask me to explain" she
begged "Yet you have doubted, and
l must tell some one. VIII you promise
will you promise never to tell q
sOul:''
Her halting words. low with inten-
sity. struck chill of premonition to
his. heart What so vital to her life
hay concealed within that magazine
story?
'.Win you promise?" she repeated In
that same tense whisper.
Promise? Why, you know that !
would promise you anything, valeria
But for heavens sake don't prolong
the agony" added Jimmy, totally un-
conscious that he was at the moment
as melodramatic as the maligned writ
ers of love stories could picture man.
"It all started ut the time of the
war;" she began. Il was only eighteen
then, young and romantic. Yes, sup
pose | mistOok romance for patriot
ism," she pursued reflectively, gazing
far across the valley to Mount Wash
ington. blue yelled in all the grandeur
Of the distance. "and suddenly l re-
solved to enlist as nurse. Father
would not hear of it-what did know
of the hardships involved? But was
silently determined. and had my way
too! Some relatives in Florida gave
as rnse. Am firing you by my pre-
liminary explanation?'
"Oh. don't mind me-" he deprecated
| ironically. 1T seems I don't count In
this game"
She smiled slightly. only to resume
after a momentary hesitation: Every
thing went my way, even to my gain
ing access to the hospital without the
regulation requirements. You see, a
nurse was taken Ill just as / arrived,
and stepped into her place. filing 1t
as best might. And then he came
badly wounded, but, oh, so braver'
She stopped short to fasten her row.
ing eyes on Jimmy's face.
| go on" he urged bitterly. 1T Is
q great place for condolences. SO far
/ above the littleness OF our everyday
existence"
| She turned to hide q smile, continu-
ing: Il nursed him for three weeks.
| every day of which was harder for
both Of US He insisted upon leaving
that he would advertise broadcast for
his nurse rs soon as possible. could
think of nothing but newspaper per
sonals. and l never read them. but be
has been SO original He certainly has
advertised broadcast. and instead OF
paying for it he has made the adver-
tisins medium pay him.
Don't! How can you be so trivial
at such a timer he implored.
Suddenly her mood changed to one
of bitter self denunciation.
Wont you forgive me. Jimmy?" she
begged. "Oh. how | have lied to you,
all the while leading you to believe In
my perfect sincerity! Won't you for.
give me-and forget?" Impulsively she
rested both hands ON his shoulder.
| II forgive you.' he repeated, but
can't say the rest. guess you know
why. Valeria-"
/ Again her mood changed. like the
mood of an April day.
Now will you admit that true 70
nance sometimes lies between the GOV
ersy' she playfully demanded.
''I'll admit anything you wish. Yot
can't hurt me deeper"
'Oh. goody!" She clapped her hand.
in ecstasy. then. slowly rubbing hel
eyes. added lightly, "Now that you'v,
owned up to being in the wrong MAY
as well admit that I've had such {
pleasant dream" As she finished
speaking valeria regarded him eau
tiOusly.
do you mean to say that you fash
ioned that out of whole cloth as 70,
went along?' he demanded in bewil
derment
Why. yes; suppose so. But ! gav'
you good fit. didn't 1? just had t,
do It to show you what might hav,
happened In real life, for it is not po
lite, you know. to contradict a lady,
I've good mind TO shake you"
''It isn't polite to shake lady ei
ther." was the ready retort.
For a moment he was silent.
You aren't angry, are your sh
coaxed. You know you just said you''
forgive my fibbing. After your sav
age arraignment of the girl who crawl
ed along the back easement to trap
man was afraid you might have a
poor an opinion of me. SO in self pre-
lection had to get your advanc
promise of forgiveness
"But there is such thing as addin
insult to injury" he muttered alm0s
GROSSLY.
D 1T was such pretty romance. 70
oughtn't to get angry; really 70
oughtnt." protested Valeria.
e Jimmy seemed to be busy polderin
e some new point. How in the sdeuc
e did you know the authors nameT' b
!, asked Mt length.
8 Il read the story yesterday. Tha
!. was easy"
"Well. I'll be- But exactly wins
: he would he did not transpire.
Wasn't that pretty romanceF sf
c persisted.
= .sWhy. you're q whole romance an
i theatrical troupe combined" answerc
K he. with sigh OF relieved admiration