The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1903-03-19


to run about in the snow looking for
| me-
Connie looked up at him over her
| papa's shoulder. "Ain't you got-no-
body at all?"
Nobody at all, Connie. Here, let me
see if the coats too long for you."
Her papa rose and gathered up the
trailing black shawl. run on home,
baby" he said, wrapping it tight about
her. run on now, just as fast as you
can, and tell mamma I'm coming right
away-soon as l get through talking
to this gentleman on business"
Norton took something out of his
pocket, stopped, and transferred the
something to Comics hand, whisper
ing to her, and she, after one puzzled
stare, disappeared up the street. He
looked after her moment, and then,
turning away with chuckle, said:
"You must have been clean off your
head, partner. And you tried to make
out 1 was. l wish you'd tell me what
the trouble is. But, anyhow, l know
now you hadn't half my excuse for
wanting to jump into the river"
'.Think so, Ell? How would you like
it if you worked hard for ten years,
and then had to see your things all
sold out-horse and wagon and every
thing-and your wife saying you're
no kind of use
That's enough" Norton interrupt
ed. Its only money with you. By the
way, what's your name? McCorkle?
All right, McCorkle. just want to tell
you that you don't know when you're
well off. Come on, McCorkle; I'm 60
ing to put off that swim with the ice
cakes until tomorrow night. Ugh!
1t surely is good deal more comfort
able with this coat on. Hope didn't
seriously hurt your arms just now"
The two late combatants began to
plod together through the snow in the
roadway. "Now, see here, McCorkle,
I'm putting off my plunge just for one
thing-just to write a check to your
order. You agree to take that check
and use it? You won't?, All right.
then. Good night" He turned back
and began to unbutton his coat again.
McCorkle was really doubtful about
the suicidal intention of this top-hat-
ted man who had interfered with his
own impulse in that direction. He
had to acknowledge himself conquered
on this line, too, for the sake of his
own peace of conscience, and having
had sufficient proof of his inability to
save the other man by physical force.
Besides, he longed to be back with
his wife and Connie. So he solemnly
promised to accept the check and con-
sented to show Mort on the little tene-
ment just around the corner on the
avenue that was his home. And so
Norton had the good fortune to meet
Mrs. McCorkle.
Norton was young in years, and still
younger in general experience. Much
of his life had been spent on western
cattle range, in a region where Mrs.
McCorkle's sex was scantily and not
favorably represented. Pondering the
situation revealed by Comics Sob,
bing message, and by the scene at
which he assisted in the McCorkie
home, he began to think that wom-
ans word needs much interpreting and
patient study. And that other person
was of Mrs. McCorkle's sex. though
in unlike circumstances. Upon which
Norton resolved to wait for the inter-
probation of events.
The following note reached him at
his hotel next morning:
Dear Jack: If You had not gone off
in huff you would have learned be-
fore ow that DR.. Brereton, who
seemed to be the cause of your out
rageous behavior, is going to be nv
step-papa. 1t was not for me to tell
you, but mamma says / may-now.
She would have told you herself. if
you had come up and had cup of tea
with her. You may thank her for this
note; l would never have written it.
l could have shaken you. He thought
your tantrums SO funny!"-N. Y.
Times.