The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-05-25
how; besides, It's all soaked and bleaI

how; besides, It's all soaked and blear-
ed" she said.
"NIy excellent eyes are not the least
Of my many good points" said Ned,
spreading it out carefully. Anne looked
about for means of escape. She saw
Ned lean out and snatch something out
Of the water.
Its the other half" he beamed.
"Now, I'll read it to you." He patched
the halves together. held them to his
eyes a moment laid them sdown again
Oh his knee and glanced over at Anne.
She looked relieved.
II told you it was too dark" she said
triumphantly.
II have some matches" he answered,
pulling out little silver case.
ANNE" he went on, you know you
love me-"
II know that hate you," she an
swerel.
Anne" he said, smiling at her. I'm
going to give you just one minute to
tell me you love me, and, II you don't
say it, then I'm going to prove it to
you."
Anne's heart painted to say Yes" but
her stubborn will would not yield. She
said weakly. Ned. r.
| Timer called out Ned. and then he
lit a match and leaned over the letter.
Anne bent forward. Eer lips parted, her
fingers twitching. The canoe rocked
dangerously.
".Of course I love Ned" read the
man slowly. '"The letter." he interrupt
ed himself, seems to be from-er-
some one to Clara Carlton. OF course
love Ned, but he is too sure of it. and
mean
He never finished the sentence, for In
her attempt to snatch the letter Anne
upset the canoe and landed Ned. her
self and the letter in the muddy river.
When she regained her balance and
thought of Ned she discovered him
turning the canoe right side up and
paying no attention at all to her. Her
first thought was that it was fortunate
he had caught hold of the boat. Then
she gasped in amaZement, for he had
let it 60. and it was floating down
stream.
NED Cramer. are you crazy?" she
screamed Catch itv'
"I'll take you to the island first he
answered and waded through the shall
low water to the bald, sandy spot they
called an island. 1t happened that
when he set her down her feet touched
something hard, but which moved
, nevertheless.
Ned" she screamed. "it's turtle"'
Ned had started away, and he called
. over his shoulder:
''They won't bite 1t you don't scare
them or the snakes either"
Snakes! She held her dripping
skirts tightly around her and stood, d
. pathetic but nevertheless a funny fig
, ure, fear written in every line Of hel
body. She was too frightened to move
when she saw the great turtle she had
stepped on come straight toward her
craning its bald, snaky head from sidt
, to side. The tears rolled unheeded dowr
! her face and mingled with the water
! that dripped from her stringy, wet hair
; She sobbed helplessly and with horri
, fed eyes was still watching the turtle
which had stopped in his tracks ant
: was leering at her, when she heart
Ned's voice. Never had anything
! sounded SO good to her ears.
: ''Do you love me- Anne!"
How one will suffer for pride's sake
She turned her face toward him, un
mindful Of tears:
II hate you.' she sobbed.
"All right lie called cheerfully; "I'l
Just paddle around little, and whel
you're ready you call. and I'll come. A
I said before, the snakes won't be ap
to bite unless you should happen t
;. step on them or something"
He turned the canoe and took doz
en- strokes, feeling like beastly ca
every time the paddle touched the ws
= ter. Then a voice, wild and desperat
with fear, shriekexl:
. Ned, come backw
e Coming" he called "Wait, Anne.
But Anne, terrified beyond endul
, ance by the advancing turtle, ran int
= the water. and he pulled her, a drii
{ ping. sobbing, disheveled figure, int
le the shelter of the canoe and his arm
You'll never regret it, Anne" b
u said softly.
u But you will," she sobbed. ''Fll
a. I'll lead you an awful life.'
/