The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-09-16
CHAPTER XVI.
Deserving the Ranch.
Copyright. 1914. by hamiin Garland


Pm afraid to have you go even for
Il day" she admitted. with simple hon
esty. which moved him deeply. Il
don't know what l should do if you
went away. think of nothing but you
uow''
Her face was pitiful. and he put his
arm about her neck as if she were a
child. You mustn't do that. You
must go on with your life just as if
I'd never been. Think of your fathers
job-of the forest and the ranch
II can't do it. I've lost interest in
the service. l never want to go into
the high country again. and 1 don't
want you to go either It's too savage
and cruel.'
THAT is only mood" he said con-
fdently. 1t is splendid up there.
shall certainly go back some time
"Of course. we are not rich: but we
are not poor. and my mothers family
is one Of the oldest in Kentucky" She
uttered this with touch Of her moth
er's quiet dignity. Your father need
not despise u.s.
so far as my father is concerned.
family don't count and neither does
money. But he confidently expects me
to take up his business in Chicago, and
| suppose it is my duty to do So If
he finds me looking fit he may order
me into the ranks at once
"Tll go there. I'll do anything you
want me to do" she urged. You can
tell your father that I'll help you in
the office. can learn. rln ready to
use Notwithstanding"
He was silent i'll the face of her
naive expression of self sacrificing
love. and after moment she added
hesitatingly: Il wish could meet your
father. Perhaps he'd come up here if
you asked him to do so.''
He seized upon the suggestion. by
George. believe he would. | don't
want to go to town. just believe I'll
wire him that I'm laid up here and
can't come.'
A knock at the door interrupted Way
land. and Mrs. McFarlane's voice. filled
with new excitement. called out. Der
rie. the district office is on the wire"
Berrie opened the door and confront
ed her mother who said. MIR. Ewing
ham phones that the afternoon papers
contain an account of a fight at Coal
City between Settle and one Of Alec
BeIden's men and that the district for
ester is coming down to investigate 1t. >
LET him come" answered Berrie de
family. HE can't do us any harm
What was the row about?'
II didn't hear much Of it. Your ia
ther was at the phone"
What is it all about. father?" ask
ed Berrie.
"Why. it seems that after left yes
terday Settle rode down the valley
| with Belden's outfit. and they all got
to drinking, ending i'll row. and Tony
beat one of Belden's men almost te
death. The sheriff has gone over te
get Tony, and the Beldens declare
| they're going to railroad him. That
means we'll all be brought into it
| Belden has seized the moment to pre-
| fer charges against me for keeping
Settle in the service and for putting
a nonresident on the roll as guard
The whelp will dig up everything he
can to queer me with the office. Al
that kept him from doing it before
was Cliffs interest in you.
''He can't make any OF his charges
stick. declared Berrie.
"Of course he can't. He knows that
But he can bring us all into court. 4ol
and Mr.. Norcross will both be called
/ as witnesses, for 1t seems that Tony
was defending your name. The pa
pers call it "a fight for girl Oh. it'
4 sweet mess. You and Berrie and Mrs
McFarlane must get out of here befor'
you are subpoenaed."
"And leave you to fight it out alone 2
exclaimed his wife. Il shall do moth
| ing of the kind. Berrie and Mr.. Nor
cross can 60"
THAT won't dc" retorted McFarlan,
quickly. THAT won't do at all. Yo'
must 90 with them l can take car
of myself. | will not have you drag
H ged into this muckhole."
Berrie now argued against runnin!
away Her blood was up. She joine'
her mother I'VE won't leave you t
inherit all this trouble. Who will ioal
| after the ranch? Who will keep hous
for your"
1 McFarlane remained firm. I'll man
age. Don't worry about me. Just ge
out of reach. The more | consider thi
thing the more worrisome it gets. Sur
! DOSE Cliff should come back to testify