The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-08-23

for it had again been sent back un-
read. The secret marker told the tale.
Two very real and big tears over
flowed the dark eyes and splashed
upon her hands. Charlie viewed them |
contemptuOnsly. Il had SO counted
upon that reading" she murmured. |
Then she sighed resignedly and reach |
ed for her hat. "a promise is prom |
ise,' she told herself decidedly, sand If
a man can't be trusted to keep one he
must be made to do it."
If Charlie had been swinging along
the campus instead of down proper
city street she would have whistled
cheerily in her undaunted courage.
Now she smiled as she hurried along
at thought of this persistent 'bearding
of the scenario reader in his den."
How would he greet her? For at the
back of Charles brain was strange
assurance. Of not having been forgot
ten. When he had read her wonderful
story he would justify in his own
mind her persistence.
The whistles blowing out the noon
hour reminded her apprehensively that
the editor might leave at this time for
luncheon. A wait In his Office would
be discouraging. Charlie crushed on
through the snow. Deep 1t lay all
around her, great drifts, which the
sweeper had not yet been able to: re-
move. Then all at once in her head
long rush Charlie collided with a mas
culine figure She had one startled
glimpse Of the mans hand reaching
| frantically for his dislodged eyeglasses
and another glimpse of those same
glasses disappearing with a mysterious
tinality into drift Of wayside snow.
Blinking dazedly, her victim turned
upon her. I'll beg your pardon" he
stammered. "Couh you locate my
| glasses, which have just fallen? am
as blind as bat without Them"
Charlie blinked, too, for the victim
turned out most surprisingly to be that
difficult and stubborn reader OF plays.
1t was evident in his present predica.
ment that the man had not recognized
her.
II will be grateful" he went on more
easily, .'if you can find them for me"
Charlie looked over the road, with its
rushing autos and crowded traffic,
which the man evidently intended to
cross. Then she made her sudden re
solve.
i Il could get them for you" she an
swered slowly. II distinctly saw
where they fell. The glasses went di
rectly to the bottom Of the drift with
out leaving sign above.
"Win your asked the man. HI
waited perplexedly. 'Or perhaps" liz
continued as she made no response
zone Of the men about might shove
through the drift"
Miss Bhke shook her head. '.The!
) would be sure to break the glasses.
she said.
81 couldn't risk that" grumbled tn
/ man. I'm In a dev-excuse never.
, great hurry. Most important worl
must be done before could have tim
i to look mp new glasses. reading work!
: he exclaimed conclusively.
= II know" Charlie replied. "You ar
: judge OF photoplays. called abou
' one Of mine which you had returne'
three times You gave your promis
Z to read it"-she paused impressively-
3 aand again sent it back unread.
n The man peered closely into her fact
i II thought recalled Your voice" b
; said. You are
! Miss Blake answered the girl.
He shook his head despairingly. Il
" could only see you. But remembe
I the circumstance now. Your man,
script was not to be found when
d searched among the papers. It wa
It regrettable."
q Hastily Charlie drew the Offendin
yellow envelope from her muff. 1T
here now,'' she suggested.
d ..And l can't see," complained tt
3. man.
IF you could?" she asked him.
\ I'D read 1t first thing got back
/ the Office" he told her. Then, stan'
i. ing there between the great drifts |
snow. they looked at each other an
| laughed.
i Instantly Charlie was down upon h
Z knees, one cloaked arm thrust to Il
\ shoulder into the icy depths A m
ment more and she held mp to hiI
j cleaning, intact the valued glasse
4 Through them presently his ov
4 twinkling eyes answered the challenl
of hers
..The manuscript, please" he reques
i ed crisply. A moment longer he wa
| ed to glance at the title page and b
| neatly typed signature. "Charl
! Blakey' he questioned.
i .It was the name the girls gave q
at school," she explained. II used
in preference to Charlotte
III Understanding flashed across {
n mans face $50 that was why cou
q not locate the manuscript" he sal
4 l"I was looking for a more ladyli
nom de plume. Not knowing it to
yours, 1t was sent back unread "
4 You forgive me"-suddenly he he
out his hand -"and accept my grate1
thanks for your service!'
ut was l who knocked your glass
OH" Charlie reminded him.
ne You saved my life,' the man
1T sisted. why. I've scenario to Z
lse out before q
1t was she now who stood WATCH
ell his departure. Had his own hero
Ire upon the screen, she wondered, as 4
en- and straight figure. as true and fra
a faeei Charlie was glad as she wa
an ed thoughtfully hemeward that he b
gh not broken his promise after all. A
sk. reminiscent smile fingered upon
II mans face as the elevator bore b
upward.
g0r MYansro lafo -. said BILLY the 0f3