The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-07-17
"ISn't it,

strength. il one is strong. to support
the weak He paused abruptly. con
scious of the triteness and futilfty of
his words, with the shyness Of the man
who. self conscious without conccit.
fears to uncover his ideals before IN
sympathetic eyes.
ooh. John Dunmeade." she replied
impatiently. you're so disappointing,
with your schoolboy platitudes.:'
He made no answer; the quick red
rushed to his face. And why should
she interest herself In his ideals: A
long, troubled silence fell between
them.
john she said suddenly. WAS it
necessary for you to criticise aud quar-
rel with my father"
II did not criticise him. he respond
ed quickly. land there Is no quarrel
that | am aware Of We merely diff
fered in opinion Oh a business matter.
each believing he was right"
Twill you tell me why you think him
wrong!'
He found his lips sealed. II haven't
criticised him." he said gravely. land
| can't begin now. especially to his
daughter"
The afternoon was spoiled. Into her
face had come q look almost of hard
ness, like the swift shadow of a cloud
over the fields on sunny day. the
absence of which had given her the
sweet. frank girlishness. What had he
to do with this girl to whom luxury
was a matter of course? Why did her
impatience with his ideals trouble
| him?
LET us 20 home" she said.
They went to the horses. From the
beginning Crusader behaved badly.
"Re carefulr' he cautioned her. as
they turned into the public road
THAT horse wants to bolt"
Il told you he lacks common sense
sometimes" she laughed.
AS though to Illustrate this saying
Crusader now began series of short
cramped plunges, rearing and tossing
violently to loosen the steel thing that
cut into his mouth.
She brought her crop stinsinsy
down on the horses tanks. Crusader
broke her grip on the reins. took the
bit between his teeth and. head low
cred. raced madly down the hill.
John did not stop to consider the use
lessness Of risking his own life too
His arm rose and fell continuously 4:
he tried to beat more speed into hi:
horse to close the rapidly widening gal
between him and the flying Crusader.
A turn of the road took her out of hi
sight. Thereafter to the end of TIN
mad chase she was always just beyont
the next turn. He was not Il goot
rider. and the wonder was that as III
swung at top speed around the curve
in the snaky road he was not unscated
Lightning's legs doubled and stretche,
with a rapidity never before and neve
again attained in his placid life. but II
John the space between the pounding
staccato hoof beats seemed endless
The blood throbbed heavily in his TEN
pies, mt every turn he closed his eyes
fearing to see still. broken figure be
fore him. Yet to him just then lif
meant to find-what he must find
BY Il miracle the descent was accom-
plished without mishap. The road r;ll
on Il level for few hundred yards
then began a long gradual climb of TIL
next hill. Lightnings steps Jagged
At Il turn in the road just below tn
/ | I,o t1n Nr,
sader standing with head meekIy low
cred. Seated on the roadside wa
Katherine coolly putting up her hair.
Lightning stopped of his own accord
Johns blood rushed to his heart. leay
ing his face very white.
He climbed weakly from the saddI
and threw himself down beside her.
1T WAS glorious while it lasted,'' sh
said
''GlOriousi' he Stunlmered
''Oh, l was frightened toor' She he'll
. out u hand. 1t was shaking like an au
tumn leaf from which the sap has be
gun to recede. But you look wors
scared than felt. What did you thin
While 1t was happeningY'
He stared ut her In queer. daze
. fashion. FL am trying to think wha
| WAS thinking"
But he kneW-he knew!
She looked at him cnriQusly. and the
she. too, knew. The knowledge did no
displease her She rose suddenly.
As he was leaving her ut her HON
she said imnulSfyoIy. HJnhn I'm CORP
! was SO nasty about your miSundel
, standing with father. Won't you te
me what it is about his business 70
, dislike? Perhaps IL had your point o
; view
, But he shook his head.