The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-05-13
'"Theu." said Mr.. EllvOOd, with you

yond an occasional subduea Yes" and
NO"
Madge, however, chatted gayly. To
her mind the situation was decidedly
tolerable and growing more so every
minute And when next she looked
upon the bleak vista Of rocks that
made up the Immediate landscape she
| found It almost attractive.
'The only hope" observed Madge,
'has come home again."
Cicely joined her in the doorway.
"And he's thinner than ever" she de-
clared pessimistically.
Then Mr.. Ellwood came into view.
He was doing an elaborate imitation
Of man who has been running fast
"He got loose" he painted. "And
I've been following
"Yes," Madge broke in genially. II
know you have. I've been watching
| you down the road for the last five
| minutes" She waved a hand toward
the mule II never in all my life" she
said, "saw anybody so reluctant to
take advantage Of handicap. How
on earth did you induce him to get
here first?''
Mr. Ellwood had the grace to blush.
Tits a very warm day." he stam-
mered. tactfully trying to shift the
conversation to safe topic Of general
interest
ut is" Madge agreed. "And don't
believe so much exercise Is good for
the mule. Besides, 1t will take a.lot
of your time to lead him home with
you every night and dri-follow him
back here every morning. Why don't
you bring his meals to him?"
Every day?' inquired Mr.. Ellwood
hopefully.
"Well. l really think he ought to be
fed every day. but I'll leave that to
you"
Cicely, who wondered miserably at
her friends high spirits. had retired
into the other room, mopping her eyes.
"She doesn't like it." Maize observed
confidentially to Mr. Ellwood
"And no wonder" he rejoined SYM
pathetically. You're going to stay?"
he added
I'VE must" said Madge. "for we've
no money to get away on. And any
way" she added after moments
pause, Il believe it isn't going to be
half bad"
"If l can help it, said Mr. Ellwood
heartily, ITS not"
He was as good as his word. and
better. For Cicely he brought ham,
mock and flowers in pots and many
little comforts that helped to render
her life more tolerable He treated
her as might an elder brother low
able but incapable sister.
But Madge was his comrade and
friend. She had assumed the burdens
Cicely was incapable Of bearing. and
he very naturally thought her the own
er Of the farm He liked her pluck
that wrested her hardly won garden
from the rocky soil and her sturdy in
dependence that always returned favor
for favor His own little place took
on an added value because she had
approved it. He gave the house a
new coat Of paint and planned when
the crops should have been harvested
to build bigger porch. And he
evolved little conveniences for the
kitchen, shelves and closets and -four
bin. things of which his masculine
housekeeping had not felt the need He
whistled as he worked and before him
there was ever girls face. a laugh
ing face growing daily roster and more
sunburned-and happier.
''The only hope" observed Cicely
complacently. .'is certainly growing
fat. II we could sell him by the pound
as they do beef Oh the hoof.' think
they can 1t. we'd get quite lot for
him."
Hes too fat" Madge objected. HE
looks stuffed think you feed him
too much. Cicely. If Mr. Ellwood were
at home I'd ask him to take look al
him. I'm quite certain his eyes ought
not to have that CLASSY stare
Later in the day the only hope sue
cumbed
II don't really blame him for dying,
said Cicely, who was weeping over tht
remains. II suppose he was just nat
ural!y tired and discouraged and didn't
care whether he lived or died-Ive fell
that way myself-but do think it wa.
most inconsiderate Of him."
"He might at least said Madge
''have gone off and done 1t somewher,
else Then we could have pretended
he wasn't ours. As 1t Is. we'll have t,
" bury him. and how on earth we're eve
going to dig a hole big enough to holt
him I'm sure don't know"
We'll leave 1t to Mr. Ellwood,
; Cicely suggested. I'VE can wait til
:. he gets back"
!. Il suppose we can" said Madge. "bu
!. there are reasons why the only hop
: cannot I'm going to the village t
secure expert assistance"
1t was growing dusk when she re
turned. She was dusty and dishevelef
:. but In her eyes was the light Of tr
). umph.
:, II have exchanged half the chick
ems" she announced. "for stick 9
dynamite and man to set 1t OF
The only hope has played us shabb
. trick. but he's going to have frs
..lass funeral. little as he deserves It"
The next morning the man cam
bringing the dynamite. The explosio
.ent the rocks and shattered all th