The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-07-22


ing" she nodded at Norcross. How
do you find yourself this morning."
'Homesick." he replied smiingly.
''Why 500"
I'm disappointed in the town.
Berrie looked round at the foriorn
shops. the irregular sidewalks. the
grasSiesS yards 1T isn't very pretty.
that's Il fact, but you can always for
get it by just looking up at the high
country. When you going up to the
milI?'
Il don't know. l haven't had any
word from Meeker, and can't reach
him by telephone"
Il know. The line is short circuited
somewhere. But they've sent il man
out. He may close it any minute"
where's the supervisors" asked
Nash
He's gone over to Moore's cutting
How are YOU getting on with those
plats?''
Every well. I'll have 'em all in shape
by Saturday"
"Come in and make yourself ut
home" said the girl to Norcross
You'll find the papers two or three
days old" she smiled I'VE never
know about anything here Till other
people have forgotten it.
Norcross followed her into the office.
curious TO know more about her She
was so changed from mis- previous coal-
ception of her that he was puzzled.
She had the directness and the brevity
of phrase of Il business MAN as she
opened letters and discussed their con-
tents with the men.
Truly she is different" thought Nor
cross. and yet she lost something by
reason of the display of her proficiency
as Il clerk. Il wish she would leave
business to some one eise." he inward
ly grumbled as he rose to go.
She looked up from her desk. Come
in again later. We may be able to
reach the mill"
He thanked her and went back to his
hotel. where he overhauled his outfit
and wrote some letters. His disgust
of the town was lessened by the pres
ence of that handsome girl. and the
hope that he might see her at luncheon
made him impatient of the clock.
She did not appear in the dining
room. and when Norcross inquired Of
Nash whether she took her meals at
the hotel or not the expert replied:
No: she goes home. The ranch is
only a few miles down the valley. Oc-
casionally we invite her. but she don't
think much of the cooking.
One of the young surveyors put in Il
word: II shouldn't think she would.
I'd ride ten miles any time to eat one
of Mrs McFarlane's dinners
Yes" agreed Nash, with reflective
look in his eyes. shes mighty fine
girl. and join the boys i'll wishing her
better luck than marrying Cliff Bel
den''
lis it settled that way?" asked Nor
cross
Yes. The supervisor warned us all,
but even he never has amy good words
for Belden. He's Il surly cuss and VIC
lently opposed to the service. His
| brother is one of the proprietors of the
| Meeker mill. and they have all tried to
bulldoze Landon. our ranger over there.
| By the way. you'll like Landon. He's
ID Harvard man and Il good ranger.
His shack is only Il half mile from
| \ -nn
| known fact that Alec Belden is part
proprietor Of Il saloon over there that
| worries the supervisor worse than any
| thing. Cliff swears he's not connected
| with it. but he's more or less sympa-
thetic with the crowd
Norcross. already deeply interested
| in the present and future of girl
| whom he had met for the first time
only the day before. was quite ready
| to give up his trip to Meeker.
| Early OH the second morning he went
| to the postofiice-which was also the
| telephone station-to get letter or
message from Meeker. He found nei-
ther. But us he was standing in the
door undecided about taking the stage
Berea came into town riding a fine bay
| pony and leading blaze faced buck
skin behind her.
Her face shone cordially as she call
| ed out. well. how do you stack up
| this morning?"
| "Tiptop" he answered. in an attempt
/ to match her CHEEKY greeting.
| "Do you like our town better?
| Not n bit! But the hills are magnifi
cent"
/ Anybody turned up from the milly
mo. | haven't heard word from
| there. The telephone is still out o
commission"
They can't locate the break. Uncle
Joe sent word by the stage driver ask
ing us to keep an eye out for you ant
send you over. I've come to take yo'
over myself"
That's mighty good of you. but it's ;
good deal to ask
Il want to see Uncle Joe OH business
anyhow. and you'll like the ride bette
than the journey by stage
{ Leaving the horses standing witt
their bride reins hanging on tn
ground. she led the way to the office.
| when father comes in tell hin
where I've gone and send Mr.. Nor
cross packs by the first wagon.
You'd better take my bay SAT-
Berea "Old Paintface there is littl
notional."
i Norcross approached his mount wit
caution which indicated that he ha
at least been instructed in range hors
psychology. and as he gathered hi
reins together to mount. Berrie re