The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1912-11-21


m'seur. with hair like the top side of
a ravens wing with the sun shining
on 1t. and
'You love her a great deal. Jean"
"Next to the Virgin-and-it may he
a little better"
CroiSset had severed the rope about |
the engineers legs. and as he raised
bis glowing eyes HowIand reached out
and put both hands on his shoulders.
"And in just that way ] love Me
leese," he said softly ''Jean. won't
you be my friend? don't want to
escape I'm not coward. Won't
you think of what your Mariane might
die for Mariane II 1t were necessary
And | would die for the girl back on
that sledge."
He had staggered to his feet and
| pointed into the forests through which
| they had come
| Il saw her in the freight Jean.
Why is she following us? Why do
| they want to kill me? If you would
only give me a chance to prove that
1t is all mistake-that r.
Crcisset reached out and took his
hand
"Mseur, I would like to help you"
he interrupted II liked You that night
we came in together from the fight on
the trail have liked you since. And
vet, If | was in their place. would
kill yon even though like you. 1t is
a great duty to kill you- They did not
do wrong when they tied you in the
coyote They did not do wrong when
they tried to kill you on the trail. But
I have taken a solemn oath to tell you
nothing. nothing beyond this-that so
long as you are with me and that
sledge is behind US your life is not in
danger. will tell yotl nothing more.
Are you hungry. m'seur?
Starved" said Howland.
He stumbled few steps out into the
snow. the numbness in his limbs fore
ing him to catch Mt trees and saplings
to save himself from falling. He was
astonished at Croisset's words and
more confused than ever at the hall
breeds assurance that his life was nc
z longer in immediate peril. 70 him this
t meant that Meleese had not only
;. warned him. but was now playing ar
e active part in preserving his life. anf
e this conclusion added to his perplexity
9 Who was this girl who few hours be
\. fore had deliberately lured him among
his enemies and who was now fighting
| II; hn hold
, deeper significance for him than whel
8 he had asked himself this same thin.
l. at Prince Albert. and when CROSSE
)" called for him to return to the camp
" fire and breakfast he touched ono
If more more the forbidden subject.
Jean, l don't want to hurt you
Is feelings" he said, seating himself o1
the sledge. but I've got to get fev
N things out of my system. | believe thi
ID Meleese of yours is bad woman"
le Like fash Croisset struck at tn
ze bait which Howland threw out to hin
He leaned little forward. ham
. Quivering on his knife. his eyes t1asf
ing fire Involuntarily the enginee
II recoiled from that animal-like crouch
ii from the black rage which was grow
20 ing each instant in the half breed
~ face Yet Croisset spoke softly an
ct without excitement. even while hi
20 shoulders and arms were twitchin
70 like forest cat about to spring
10 "M'seur. no one In the world mu!
70 say that about my Meriane. and he!
IN to her they must not say it about NJ
q leese Up there" and he pointed sti
=, farther into the north. ''I know of
M hundred men between the Athabase
nj and the bay who would kill you II
bo what you have said And 1t is not #
IN Jean Croisset to listen to 1t here.
at will kill you unless you take it back
,o God" breathed Howiand. He loo
ed straight into Croisset's face #
, glad--it's so-Jean." he added slOwl
ho "Don't you understand. man? To-
W. her | didn't mean what said.
would kill for her. too. Jean. sai
y that to find out-what you would do.
- Slowly Croisset relaxed. a faint smi
" curling his thin lips.
IF 1t was a joke. m'seur. it was
- bad one.
't 1T wasn't q joke" cried Howian
.s 1t was serious effort to make you te
i, me something about Meleese. Liste
's' lean. She told me back there that
was not wrong for me to love her, al
40 when | lay bound and gagged in Il
'he snow she came to me and-and kiss
VI me. don't understa nd
81 Croisset interrupted him.
~! did she do that, m'seur?'
SET Il swear it."
"o Then you are fortunate" smil
nis Jean softly. "for l will stake my ho
luz In the blessed hereafter that she b
ity
his l.