The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1901-12-12

weeks now without hearing of a
siIgie vacant piece. One day he came
In with radiant face.
.rve found a prize for you, Leila"
h. exclaimed. "a German who lives
two miles from here has just been
left fortune at home, and is going
hack. He entered his claim nearly
tbree wears ago, and has made quite
lot of improvements; but of course he
doesn't mind them now. He leaves this
afternoon. and then the land becomes
public property. l asked him if he had
spoken of it to anyone, and he said
: only to the postmaster. He received
the news this morning, and told the
postmaster about it. I have been able
to do him some service, and when /
spoke about you he seemed pleased,
and said that he would like you to
have the land and the improvements.
He said he would like to think of the
place belonging to some of my people.
Now, the sooner you file your claim, the
better. I viii go with you tomorrow,
if you like"
"Why not at once?' asked Leila,
eagerly.
81 have an engagement this after
noon, and can't possibly get off. But
we'll start early in the morning"
"That might be too late. It's only
Is miles to Gainesville. Why can't I
20 alone?"
"Well, I--don't know" thoughtfully
Il hardly like the idea of your going
alone. Still, time is important, as you
say, and the road is good, and you are
a splendid rider. You could make it in
three hours, and spend the night with
Mrs. Wilson. Under the circum-
stances"
II would better CO." she interrupt
ed. "Good! Now, if you will please
saddle the horse, I will get ready"
Her brother-in-law's place was in
the outskirts of small town, and as
he went toward the stable he heard
hasty footsteps outside the fence
which separated him from the street
and presently strong, athletic figure
vaunted over and came toward him
Il beg your pardon, Mr.. Clifford" the
stranger said, hurriedly, "but let me
have horse for few hours? Ny broth.
er said that you kept the best horses
in town."
"Not to let. though" answered Mr.
Clifford rather coldly. Who is youl
brother?''
Henry Wayne, the postmaster. You
see, / only reached here to-day, an6
Henry has been telling me something
which renders my presence in Gaines
vile imperative"
"Ah!"Mr. Gifford's. "ah, ,"was s very ex
pressive. and he looked out across hi:
orange grove as though in search of al
answer to some unspoken thought.
I am in great hurry" limited Mr.
Wayne, after prolonged silence, "ani
] will pay you we'll"
want no 1ay," hastily. Then with
asudden change of voice: Eyes, thinl
| can let you have a horse, but 1 dt
not warrant his speed"
Leading the way to the stable, h.
pointed TO large gray.
That is the strongest one in the
stable" he said; 'you can have him i
You like. The black is faster, but
reserve him especially for the side
saddle; and the two bays have beer
working this morning"
Five minutes later he led the b1acl
aorse to the stile. Leila was waiting
Who was that gentleman?" shs
asked.
"A Mr.. Wayne. He is going to Gaines
vile. l let him have the gray horse.
The gray horse!" she echoed, a.
she sprang lightly into the saddle
Why, that's the plow horse. He coul,
go faster on foot"
SO | think" coolly, "but I found h,
Is after the very piece of land I tol,
you about. He has gone by the mail
road; you must take the short Gu
through the live oaks. That will say,
you two miles, and allow you to avoi,
ann. He might recognize the blacl
aorse.' He took slip of paper from
us pocketbook and handed it to her
mat contains all the necessary in
iormation about the homestead" h.
aomonlshed. "Give it to the clerl
whose name is on the back. He know
he, and will see that your entry i
maae correctly. Now go, and dom
spare the whip"
LENA was good rider, as he hat
a'o' and 1t was not long before sh,
aaa passed through the live oaks to til,
nam road. The stranger was not i,
sight.
For half an hour she sped on, th
nurse taking the road almost as light
= as bird; then suddenly piece o
newspaper ratified across their path
ano the horse SHE'D violently, throw
'ag her into the bushes.
fortunately, she was not much hurt
~. as she rose to her feet a shar
.Winge told her that one of her ankle
was sprained. The horse was nibblin
'assock grass few yards away.
Dick, Dick! Come, Dick!" sh
DaAed. imping toward him.
Dut DICK was in playful II ood, an
sae advanced be retreated. She fol