The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1912-10-24

another crack Of the whip. a loud
shout. and sledge drawn by six dogs
sped past them into the gathering
gloom Of the early night.
From Howland's lips. too. there fell
a sudden cry, for one Of the two faces
that were turned toward him for an
instant was that of Croisset. and the
other-white and staring as he had
seen it that first night in Prince Al
bert-was the face of the beautiful girl
who had lured him into the amoush on
the Great North trail!
For a moment after the swift pass
ing Of the sledge it was on Howland's
lips to shout Croisset's name. AS he
thrust Gregson aside and leaped out
into the night he was impelled with
desire to give chase It was Gregson
who recalled him to his senses.
Il thought you didn't car. for thea
ters-and girls. Howland!' he exclaim
ed banteringly. "A pretty face affects
you little differently up here, eh?'
Howland interrupted him sharply.
did you ever see either of them
before. Gregson?''
"Never until today. But there's hope,
old man. Surely we can find some one
in the place who knows them. Would
not 1t be jolly good fun II Jack How
land, Esq. who has never been in
terested in theaters and girls. should
come up into these God forsaken re-
gions and develop case Of love at
first sight? If l had only seen her
sooner
"Shut upr' growled Rowland Lets
| 60 in to supper"
Good And move that we inves-
tigate these people while we are smok
ing our after supper cigars. 1t will
pass our time away at least"
"Your taste is good. GregsOn," said
~Howland, recovering his good humor
as they seated themselves at one Of the
| rough board tables in the dining room.
| Inwardly he was convinced it would
| be best to keep to himself the incidents
! Of the past two days and nights. ut
was beautiful face"
"And the eyesr added Gregson, his
/ own cleaning with enthusiasm. "She
/ looked at me squarely this afternoon
| when she and that dark fellow passed
and swear they're the most beautiful
eyes ! ever saw And her hair
do you think that she knew you?'
asked How'and quietly.
Gregson hunched his shoulders
How the deuce could she know
me?"
"Then why did she look at you SO
'squarelyy Trying to f1irt do you sup.
poser
/ Surprise shot into Gregson's face.
"By thunder. no. she wasn't f1irtingf
he exclaimed I'D stake my life OF
that. A man never got a clearer, more
slnless look than she gave me. ant
yet Why. deuce take it. she stare,
at me. didn't see her again afte
that, but the dark fellow was in her.
half of the afternoon. ana now mat
come to think of it he did show some
interest in me- Why do you asky'
Just curiosity" replied Howland
Il don't like f1irts.''
Neither do l." said Gregson mus
ingly.
1t was not until they were about t
cidentally fell on Gregson's right hand
He gave an exclamation Of astonish
ment when he saw that the little finge
was missing. Gregson jerked the hant
to his side.
"a little accident" he explained
you'll meet 'em up here. Rowland"
Before he could move the young eli
gineer had caught his arm and wa
looking closely at the hand.
"a curious wound" he remarke,
without looking up. Funny didn'
notice it before. Your finger was GU
off lengthwise, and here's the scar run
ming halfway to your wrist. How di'
you do it?"
He dropped the hand in time to Sc
a nervous flush in the others face.
"Why-er-fact is. Howland. 1t wa
shot off several months ago-in an ~
cident, of course" He hurried throug
the door
AS they passed from the dining roor
into that part of the inn which wa
half bar and half lounging room. a
ready flied with smoke and doze
or so picturesque citizens OF lie Pa!
the rough jowled proprietor Of tn
place motioned to Rowland and hel
out letter
"This came while you was at SUI
per. Mr.. Howland," he explained.
There was no name at the bottom
what he read 1t was not necessar.
/ for glance had told him that II
writing was that Of the girl whose fat
he had seen again that night.
Forgive me for what have done" tt
{ note ran Believe me now. Your life
in danger. and you must go back to Et'
, mani tomorrow. If you go to the W.
kusko camp you will not live to con
back
"The devil" he exclaimed.
s.What's that?'' asked Gregson. ed
ing around him curiously.
Howland crushed the note in his har
and thrust it into one of his pockets.
"a little private affair" he laughe