The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1910-02-10

want me to. But just have to do it,
poppy! 1t would make me feel so bad
if didn't"
Seth's face looked grave.
well. honey" he said soberly, did
you come away out here 10 get me to
let you do thing after had told you
you couldn'ty'
NO. poppy" she said. Il just come
to get you to make Georgia and Lous'-
any let me alone and stop being mean
to me-"
''Zouri. is it anything bad you want
to do?'
mo, it ain't.''
'What is it, honeyY'
Il can't tell yet. It's secret"
"Will you tell poppy some time:"
''Yes, if you amt mean to me. like
Lous'any and Georgia.
He was silent. She slipped from the
fence and took his hand. and they
started together across the fields to-
ward home.
''Zouri, put OH your sunbonnet.
You'll catch cold.''
Zouri obeyed. Poppy" she said.
what did you and Uncle Joe get an.
CRY about? Did he treat you mean
when you wanted to do anything:'
Seth started. Joe had been in his
mind more than once that day, be-
cause it was the anniversary of the
planting of the stake. and Seth had
stood for half an hour by the side Of
the stake recalling the circumstances
connected with it.
mo, Zouri; Joe wasn't exactly mean
to me. reckon he was better'n
was when it comes to that
Then amt going to be mad with
him." she answered. and the sunbon-
net came off again. Anyhow. Ten
nessee's got to so on crutches all her
life. and Pm sorry" For once Zouri
was almost crying
'ls that fact. Zouri? Little Tenny
on crutches--all her life too! What IL
it was you, Zouri?''
There was no answer, and they
walked home the rest of the way in
silence
ST Valentines day was clear and
beautiful
Soon after dinner, without word
to any one, Zouri put on Il clean dress
and. hanging her sunbonnet on her
arm, started away on her mission.
Seth had been watching her all day.
He saw her start from home. but said
nothing.
She reached the point where the
road crossed the head of the old mill
pond She knew that Uncle Joe's was
not far beyond. But Zouri had never
been very brave about crossing the
pond There was only narrow plank
way across. and 1t seemed so near the
water and so many fishes and noisy
frogs and other queer creatures lived
right under this plank, and the water
looked so quiet anu dark.
When Zouri reached this point in
her journey she stopped moment, i
little frightened. and was almost ready
to turn back and go home. But she
did not do this. She began to sing.
and as she sang she ran lightly across
the plank.
Zouri was on Uncle Joe's farm now
and hoped to find him in some field
not far away. AS she went along the
roadway, looking to the right and left.
she saw on little rise of land the fig
ure Of man. He was standing be
tween her and the sinking sun, and Il
warm, soft light shone over his face.
Uncle Joe! Oh, Uncle Joev she
called.
Land sakes, if that amt Seth's lit
tie Zouriw he muttered as he started
toward her.
mo; don't come YETI. she called
again. II amt readyr'
He stopped and stood waiting.
"What on the earth's brought Zouri
over here? I'll bet Seth don't know 1t
That child's just the apple Of Seth's
eye. Well, If she can get around hiu
| there's something in her."
Uncle Joe. are you listening?'
Yes, honey; talk on
"Well, I've put it in that old hollow
tree down here. When Pm gone you
go and get It. Goodby, Uncle joe"
"Goodby, Zouri Can't you wait q
bit?'
He watched her sunny little figure
the clean. fresh dress, the danglin.
| sunbonnet and the soft dancing curl'
as she few along toward home again.
well, 1 reckon I'll have to see wha
it is." he said.
He walked slowly to the edge of th'
field, vaulted over the rail fence ant
crossed the road to where the old hol
| low tree stood. He stopped and pu
his hand within. and then he drew !
out with shamefaced air.
"Just one Of Zouri's jokes, reckon
She'll think I'm an old fool to COM
down here at ALL"
Then he leaned against the tree
with one hand resting on Its truns
rJust four years ago yesterday sine
Seth and | stopped speaking, and thi
Is the first time one of his family
been on my land. to my knowing. No
another one Of them would dare t
come but Zouri."
He shuffled around again to the ho
low. 81 reckon I'll try once more." b
said.
This time he dropped upon his knees
put his arm far into the opening an
felt carefully around. He found it, a
crumpled and not very clean. Then b
slowly opened and read 1.-THE littl
scrawl that had cost Zouri SO much
write.
1t was like message from Seth, an
| oil tho old time love for hiS hrOt he