The Bossier banner., 1905-02-02

dow WnStream ana endlng at the lower
gate SO as to so home by the big road.
Only a blind track ran past the up
per gate. Stragglers never found it
out, not even the most inveterate fish
ermen who might be lured by this ex
ceptional morning, with water In just
the right stage. Something in the day
made Alicia want to sing. She did
not do It, being firmly Of opinion that
fish have ears and are mighty wary
Of human sounds. And today she was
bent on catching the patriarch Of the
pool, a big trout, known to inhabit 1t
disdained to notice the most artistic
dies Of the gentlemen sportsmen or
their Hveliest minnows. His special
haunt was beneath the roots Of the
big bending sycamore which leaned
far out over the stream. Without
tremor she climbed into the trees low
crotch by a pathway of loosely laid
rails, established herself MS comfort
ably as possible and dropped her hook
right in front Of the big fellows nose.
She could not see him-the water was
Just delicately turbid from rains two
days back-but she felt him nibble
bit, then saw the water swirl as with
| an upward rush. Presently she saw
him leap half out Of the water ten
yards away. She drew In her hook. to
find half the bait bitten OF, and as she
put on fresh worms she said, with
| smiling nod: "Old man, Sukey ought to
| have come along. She could have got
| points on how to hook and land the
preacher"
She was too intent on sport to hear
little stifled laugh. Indeed. she had
| no consciousness OF anything just then
but the matter in hand. She had cast
little way from where the trout
broke For perhaps two minutes the
float lay aggravatingly expressionless.
simply drifting bit in the eddy Of the
| pool; then it went under with q rush,
to come up two yards away and go
down again almost instantly. The
| trout, bold from long impunity, hud
swallowed the hook
Alicia did not try to haul him In Mt
once Instead she let him play up
stream and down. taking in the slack
with bare hands md letting 1t 90 back
with rush that must have bewildered
her captive. After ten minutes fight
she hauled in her quarry, two pounds
| Of cleaning silver, and, holding him
fast, made to scramble down to the
| bank
| Dismay smote her as she turned
about The rails had slipped down.
She was fairly entrapped. The tree
crotch overhung the water, which was,
she knew, well over her head. Al
though she could swim a little, she did
not like to risk plunge. Yet there
seemed no alternative. The landward
side Of the big trunk was not to be
reached from where she sat- She made
an impatient little swing Of her catch,
saying: There, you'll get back In the
water after oil and take me with you.
think I'll tie you to me and make you
swim out"
Better not" q mars voice said a
little way of. II don't believe he
would swim out He'd rather keep you
down ut the bottom"
Then come and take me down,
Alicia said disdainfully, angry beyond
words that anything masculine could
thus calmly contemplate her plight In
stead Of flying to the rescue. She
heard long. firm steps approaching. By
craning her neck severely she saw O
man. young, handsome, well set up
evidently an athlete. and fushionabiy
dressed. $50 you are Alicia Blair, my
hostess In part"
T ''And how came sou here when you
are looked for at the house" Alicia
demanded severely
Paul Redmond laughed. Because
had rather be here" he retorted. MY
traps have gone on houseward to an
nouncc me. but I heard so much Of
that 'tomboy granddaughter on the
way from town. when my guide, Dea
con Estis, who fetched me by the short
cut to show newell, several things
said that she Is, right now, a-feeshin' ,
| simply had to come and see for my
SELF"
How long sinceT Alicia asked, hel
face scarlet. Redmond laughed again
"The point is-immaterial," he said
"Just now the burning question Is
How shall get DOWN."
That's easy. Put up the rails and g
away" Alicia said.
Redmond shook his head. Il can
trust you. The rails might slip" h
said. II know a better way. but frs
ding me your fish,"
Obedientiy Alicia swung him heI
gasping prize. He at once slipped I
timber pronged twig through its gill
and anchored 1t comfortably in tn
stream, saying: LET the example bea
fruit, Miss Alicia. Don't give any o
} your later captives needless agony"
"You don't seem to care about me
} I'm very uncomfortable" Alicia SAT-
with spirit. "If you won't put up tn
rails, ut least go away. The water i
deep-stilr'-
'You are not going into it." Redmon'
said quickly, stepping upon the lean
ing trunk and clinging fast to 1t wit
one arm. He held the other out towar'
her, saying with twinkle: Zone, two
three! Here we go! Jump! I'll cato
, von RIGHT an n frfvpt " "A