The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1901-06-20

love him enough to be his wife. Her
father and mother were both furious
that she should let such good
chance for husband go by. They
argued that chances did not grow as
thick as sand grass.
But the eventful day had come and
| Dillie heard the rollicking laugh of
How Grimes as he passed the plains
mans badinage with her father at
the stable just over the hill. Some
how the laugh sounded like a menace
to her happiness. She looked out of
the window and saw her little pony
| nlpping the grass in the valley to-
ward the road, and an impulse seized
her to slip out to it with saddle and
bride and thus earn respite till
after dark from meeting the lover
concerning whom there had arisen in
her so suddenly such an unaccount-
able aversion.
A few minutes later she was gal
Looping away as if she were flying from
ar impending disaster. Just outside
of the valley containing her fathers
| ranch was series of sand hills, and,
| when she reached these, she flung
herself from the horse upon the soft
| buffalo grass and gave herself up to
| thought.
The sun had just disappeared be-
| hind the distant hills as she realized
| that she must return home and brave
ly face her fate with the inevita BILE
answer against this man. Her pony
came at her call and she was about
to mount when the measured thump
of horses hoofs beat upon her ears.
The next moment familiar form ap-
peared around the side of the hill and
Lieut.. James rode up to her.
"What can you be doing here at this
hour?" he asked. with earnest solici-
tude. His tone went through her like
a sword and she felt as if she would
fall, but from the support of her rest
less little horse.
"I-I can't tell you," she stam-
mered, mot just now.''
He sprang from his horse and came
up to her side.
perhaps this is providential
meeting" he said, more gravely than
he was accustomed to speak to her.
'Do you remember my words when l
met you that time with How
Grimes?"
She shuddered and answered him
almost inaudibly.
81 am now in possession of proof
that he is the leader of the gang of
horse thives which we have been try
ing for a year to exterminate."
He did not see how his words
blanched her face, but he noticed that
she Strengthened up and compressed
her lips, as if struggling with some
strong emotion. He attributed it to
doubt.
"You know" he continued, "that 7
have never mentioned his name to
you, for 1 could not do SO without
casting suspicion on man whom as
yet had no means of proving guilty.
In the last few days I have learned
with the deepest regret that he has
been frequent visitor here, and
since morning I have been following
his trail in this direction"
Dilly was dumb. She had been un-
able to speak, but listened with eyes
opened wide in mental maze of
conflicting emotions.
II have proofs that are enough for
me and the law, but you may need
more. If he is innocent he will not
resist arrest; if he is guilty, he will
risk death to escape. Will that be
convincing to your"
She inclined her head in reply.
"Then there will be a fight, and
someone will be killed." she said, al
most in gasps.
"There are only two ways in which
a fight, and maybe death, can be
avoided. None of my comrades are
likely to reach here before morning.
If I take him alone, l must come up
on him suddenly, say for instance
in case you are talking to him, you
leave the room on some excuse, and
I suddenly enter in place of you. I
would then get the drop on him, and
if he is innocent, no harm will be
done anyone. Or if he is anything
to you, when | arrive an hour after
this, he will be an hour ahead of me
On his way to freedom. Let me help
you mount your horse"
In moment both were in their sad
dies. Lieut.. James gave her a Part
ing salute, turned and spurred his
horse back on the trail around the
hill.
An hour later Lieut.. James rode up
to the door, and was met by Dillie's
father.
my daughter is anxious to see you
in our sitting-room," he said, hur-
riedly, in low tone. II don't under
stand it, but she seems too anxious
about it for us to press .ny ques-
tions just now. Bob, take the horse,
and. lieutenant, you come with me-"
The ranchman led the way into the
sitting-room, which was duly lighted
with small" hand lamp. He went
hurriedly out. leaving the lieutenant
in some suspense as to what might
follow. In few minutes the door
leading to the parlor opened ana
Dilhe, with faltering step, ap-
II: