The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-09-27

clearly printed and easy of reproduc-
ton. The pictured face startled me.
Great Scott!' l cried. rs Shenstone
a brother of yours? should think you
had sat for this yourselfr'
'NIr. Shenstone is distantly related to
me-" he replied. I'VE have a common
ancestor"
But is this good of Shenstone?" l
demanded tapping the photograph. Il
never saw him."
You might ask Mr.. Miles," said he
summoned Miles and showed the
picture.
Finer he exclaimed. Couldn't be
better"
did you nsk Shenstone for this?"
said to Sidney. He nodded.
Ever meet him beforeY' Sidney
shook his head
WAS he surprised at the sight Of
you?"
He certainly was, and amused too.
The resemblance is so close as to be
really ridiculous, considering the DIFF
ference in our circumstances"
l paid Sidney the additional $15, and
though subsequently learned that
he himself had posed for the picture.
have never regretted the bargain.
About two months later u somewhat
mysterious stranger called upon me to
inquire for Sidney Colbert's address.
Suspccting this man to be a collector.
declined to give the desired informa-
tion. On the following day a lawyer
from the Wall street district came
with the same request He assured me
be was acting In my friends interest.
told him that Sidney was just recov-
ering from an illness and was in miser.
able circumstances and that l would
make it warm for any one who an
noyed him. Then ! gave the address,.
was not altogether easy in my
mind, however, and consequently
called at Sidney's lodgings one evening
IN the latter part of that week. He
was not at home, and nobody had seen
him for two days. Much disturbed,
went to see Miss Dean in the studio
building, where she dwelt in girl bach
elor fashion.
Miss Dean was quaking with nerv-
| BUSINESS. though she tried to conceal it.
| | was sure that she had been pacing
the floor. which was Uttered with all
the evening newspapers. She began by
telling me that she did not know where
Sidney was, but when l smiled upon
her sadly she abandoned that deception
and admitted that she did know. but
was pledged not to tell.
HE has been so illr she cried, clinch-
ing her hands distractedly. HE ought
to be in the country. where he could be
quiet and have pure air to breathe"
"Is be in any sort Of troubley" asked,
and she said no, except that he was
very weak from illness and needed
rest.
| us he at wOrk7'
"Yes."
.'Then he will soon have some money
and can go out of town." said /.
Twenty dollars weekv' she re-
sronded, with whitening scorn.
That was all learned about Sidney,
but Miss Dean consented to speak more
freely of herself. Thought it my duty
to inquire, because for all knew she
might be penniless. 1t appeared, how.
ever. that she was q fairly good man.
aser. and, though the allowance upon
which she lived was barely sufficient
for her support, she had never gone in
debt. Indeed, she had for time pre-
served some small savings. but these
she had spent for Sidney during his
illness. Sidney did not know this, OF
course. 1t would never occur to him
that little expenses for sick mans
delicate provender could have any con.
siderable total.
saw Sylvia quite frequently after
that, but did not see Sidney nor could
get track Of him. though made yari
ous endeavors. A hint fom Sylvia gave
ME the impression that the mysterious
work in which Sidney was engaged
might not be viewed with approval by
Il stern moralist, and this led me to be
lieve that he was employed by Shen
stone. 1t was possible, however, thai
he might be serving Shenstone's enc
mics. Could it be possible that his re
semblance to the speculator was bcin:
used in some wild scheme Of persona
tion?' Sidney would never consent Il
such dishonesty. but in the hands O
the shrewd and reckless men wht
were fighting Shenstone's pool m!
friend would be mere child. 1t woul,
be no trouble at all for them to max,
Sidney believe that black was white.
: Sylvia was as careless as most wo
men are Of the ethics Of business. He
sole anxiety In this matter was for Sid
ney's health. I made out that she hat
either very meager reports Of him o
none Mt all.
II should not be surprised any da.
to hear that lie was dead" said she t
Tile. with black foreboding written o.
her face.
| think itswas not twenty-fOur hour
afterward that was going through th
: regular daily report from one Of tn
city news bureaus and I.ame upon thi
paragraph typewriter upon the THU
dirty yellow paper that they use:
Sidney Colbert. writer. was take
. to ST. Maraarers hospital late las
night suffer.n. with ulcer u the ston
ach. An immediate operation will u
: necessary In :llS disease surgery
. not resorted to until the ulcer pens
trates the wall of the organ. and ti
chances are always against tue p:
tient. Doctors at the hospital decline
To discuss the case"
As soon as could get away from til
/. office | went to see Sylvia. She wa
| l.. Il lx, c.l,r NJ g