The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-01-26
The MANY
LIVED GOD

Two paths wound their tortuJus ways
about the hill and came out finally OH
| small rocky shelf The place COM
munded an excellent view CT the level
valley and the river twisting and turn
ing shimmering course many feet be-
low Far across the valley on the 9TH
er side Of the river the pine covered
slopes made a cool. green vista In tie
July sunshine.
Tue man toiled slowly up one Of
these paths, pausing occasionally to
mop his rerspiring brow and to curse
dejectedly the blackberry vines which
now ard again clutched his trousers.
| The girl came up the other path, hold
ing a fluffy parasol in 50 spiritless a
fashion that the sun streamed full up
| on her brown head.
The man reached the rocky shelf
first and seated himself on the very
edge, with his legs dangling over the
brink. A few moments later the girl
| arrived on the scene; surveyed the
mans broad back a moment and then
said, half in annoyance. half In en-
barrassment "Oh!'
The man turned about, beheld the in
truder and with cougli-the mascu-
line haven of refuge at such a time
resumed his study Of the green tints
in the valley below. The girl looked
irresolutlon at the path she had just
Travelled Then she sat down. with ne
irresolution whatever, beneath one OF
the scraggy frs. The tension of the
silence became oppressive. 1t was the
girl who broke it.
81 desire to be alone." she said, with
| imperious coolness.
The man turned slowly.
"You seem to voice my own IDEAS
he said
"Why don't you leave, them she
asked
lie smiled with calm insolence.
because" said he, 81 wish to be
here. BESIDES, this is my puddle.
found it first
The girls eyes narrowed and she
pursed her lips.
.Ths particular nook is Of my dis
covering, kindly remember" said she.
Possession is nine points Of the
law" he returned.
The girls eyes looked across the
valley to the ragged line Of hills, oven
which fleecy bits Of white clouds drift
ed laEily. Fer parasol was tapping
nervously an exposed root of tie fir
"Do You mind telling me why you
came up here this afternoon she ask
ed
For the same reason murderer Is
drawn to the scene of his crime, BY
some horrible fascination, suppose
he explained.
The girl smiled grimly.
"You admit it was crime. then?''
"Mea culpa. mea culpa," he said
inca most heinous culpa!"
She frowned. Its scarcely humor
ous," she chided.
at is tragic" lie declared. He turn
ed to her suddenly and his face was
grave "Why did you Gomez lie asked
Il wanted to be-to he alone witt
my dead she said, almost wistfully.
He Strengthened up. His tone was
eager.
You're sure it's dead?" lie asked.
'Quite so,' said she. ''4,s a murder
er you're decidedly effective"
Are you sure" said he, 1t ISM
stunned or shamming? Are yon Ger
tain 1t won't come to life again?'
The girl sighed.
at is dead-stone dead" she said
with touch of sadness In her voice.
81 thought" he remarked, that low
had as many lives as a cat-that or
might cruelty maltreat it and yet i
would survive"
"There is limit to oil things-evel
, the forbearance of love- she said.
The man swung his legs over til
brink, and his brow was drawn into ;
puzzled frown.
TIN terribly afraid there's sparl
frightful to bury the poor chap alive
It seems to me we should try resusci
, tation first"
I'm afraid it's too late she sal,
coldly "It is far easier to destroy thai
to resurrect.''
"Quite SO, quite So" said he uneasi
". "Oh. say" lie burst out contrite
ly. you don't really mean it's all of
You don't mean you'll let that misera
bic tiff of yesterday morning end ey
erything. do you?"
The girl arose
Il came up here to be alone sh
said. "It is evident must seek sol
tudc somewhere else"
He jumped to his feet
"I'Il Co." he said. You may have til
cliff to yourself. But before I leave
want to ask favor. When You bur
the dead. you'll not forget 1t entirely
will you? You'll remember that for
day--for day"
He stopped and looked at her.
"Oh. WELL he said contriiely. 4
was all my fault anyway. have n
right to ask favors. Go5dby."
He moved down the winding pati
The blackberry vines caught at hi
clothes, but he forgot to curse then
!. Halfway down the path he heard raj
id footsteps behind him. He turne
and beheid the girl hurrying afte