The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1919-08-14
tie road. You could rest there till


morning. Co."
Wayne kept on. He was truly weary
as at the end of an hour. Finally he
crossed plankway spanning a HOW OF
sparkling surplus water, and. tracing
it's source, he made out stone pa
vilion on knoll half hidden in a nest
of luxuriant flowers and vine growth.
81 shall wait until daylight he So
nloquized, as he ascended the steps
of the pavilion, dropped to bench be-
side a marble table and gave utter
ance to sigh of profound relief. Then
with a violent start, almost a thrill,
he stared wondering at the end OF the
long bench. 1t held another occupant
than himself, woman, fair and
comcly.
She was asleep, and her face with
closed eyes and placid lips was turned
towards him. Her silken golden tresses
formed a pillow for one arm. The
pe,lucid moonlight clearly outlined the
classic features. Archer Wayne sat
spellbound. Who could she be-a ven
turesomc tourist, belated, lost, like
himself? For the first time in his life
he found the opportunity to. study, to
analyze the face of woman. The
| lines of character and lOvelinesS at
tracted him, the strangeness of the
occasion enchained fancy and satisfac-
| tion.
Abruptly the fair blunderer sighed,
opened her eyes, and then, discovering
that she had companion, arose to
her feet in some tfepidation. Wayne
followed her example, lifting his cap
courteously, with the words:
Il fear you, like myself, are ven
turesome wanderer, out Of your bear
ings."
His clear voice, his utter manliness
reassured the lady. She FASTENED to
smooth her disarranged tresses, she
smiled in pleased way.
IF that is your trouble, like my
own," she said sweetly, Il am glad you
have come. Yes, have lest my way
and the pavilion offered shelter, and
shall not feel frightened now"
Wayne bowed in thanks at the ex
pressed confidence in him Of the beau
tiful stranger, and said:
"Perhaps we had better wait fol
dawn. In the meantime" and he lift
ed to the stone table his tourist pacl
and opened it. IF you are half fam
ished as I am, you will enjoy a httl'
luncheon"
Her bright eyes twinkled approving
ly as he brought into evidence an cleo
tric tube, pressed its button and set
upon the table. Then Wayne pro
duced an appetizing array. of foo
which his precision had secured q
the settlement. Even to salt, pepper
vinegar, the materials were at han
to season most satisfactory col
luncheon.
She Joined him, gladsOme invite
guest, with all the zest and enjoymen
of n healthy normal woman. The
chatted, the repast concluded. Some
how, her eyes so full of natural interes
and sympathy, won him to tell his lif
story bit by bit. Wayne felt draw
more closely to this companion as sh
in turn told of lonely orphan year
She was Of party who We're at tn
hotel ut the settlement. She ha
strayed far to gather floral specimen
: and he pulsated with new and vivi
emotions, as she showed him the bOol
in which she had pressed her cole
tions and her perfumed breath swel
= his check gentle as the 1uttering
z an angel wing. Then the conversatit
died down. Her head had dropped
: the support of the bench. He sat IL
movable, scarcely breathing. 81
seemed so beautiful in sleep. Her hes
5 touched his shoulder. A namele
ecstacy possessed his being. Th
passed the sweet night away, and
8 stages his own senses stole into slu1
o ber, and he awoke to find the risil
n sun of new glorious day coming
n over the hill tops.
ID There was enough and to spare I
an early morning rejection. Hill
ot Brcughton was bright and sparkli
IF under the influence of gratitude for t
le care and companionship Of the tr
le gentleman who had rescued her frt
IN the fears and discomfort of a night
or loneliness.
7n did you know" she asked as tn
Of started on to locate the town. I'll
ne these natives about here declare tt
le all this country around here is
IL original location of the Garden
ed Eden?''
de Hc had heard of it, and his he
ed beat fast Mt the trustful contrast
'st the small! gloved hand on his arm. !
he now the time, but later on, he resol'
is on that, he should tell her that