The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-12-09
CHAPTER XXI.
"Lahoma of Oklahoma"

~ ed himself. II amt saying
nothing" he explained to
Wilfred. because he amt pervious to
reason and it does him good to get that
out of his system"
Let me make u suggestion" ex-
claimed Wilfred suddenly
Wilcox looked ut him suspiciously.
IF it amt counter to my plans
1T isn't. It's this: Suppose We drop
the subject till tomorrow 1t won't
hurt amy of us to sleep on it. and
know Id enjoy another night with
you. us in the old days"
I'm willing to sleep on it out OF
friendship" Wilcox conceded unwii
lingly. though Id rest easier on IL bed
in the Jail There never was no bird
more crazy to get into Il cage than |
am to be shut up. But as to the old
days. they amt none left Them depu
ties is in the dugout: they're in the
cabin | built for Lahoma: they think
they owns our cove. Well. they's no
place left for me- Life wouldn't be
nothing crouching and Sinking up here
in the rocks. Life wouldn't be nothing
to me without Lahoma. ia have a
pretty chance for happiness now,
wouldn't |. sitting up somewhere with
Bill Atkins? l amt saying | mightn'
get out of this country and find u safe
spot where could live free and dis.
posed with an old renegade like him
that nobody amt after and amt ;l-car
ing whether he's above ground or in
kingdom come. But l couldn't be with
Lahoma. I'm under ban"
IF you were on my farm near Okla
homa City" Wilfred suggested. "ant
Lahoma and | lived in the city you
could often see her. Up there nobody {
modest you. nobody'd know you. That's
what I've been planning. You coule
look after the farm. and Bill could q
back and forth. As soon as the new:
comes that Red Feather killed Gletl
ware it'll be taken for granted that hi
| killed Red Kimball and attacked til,
| stage You'll be cleared of all that
and nobody will want you arrested"
Wilcox rose. Are we going to sleeI
| On this or shall l answer you now?
he demanded fixedly.
| Wilfred hastily asked for time.
They passed the night in the noun
tain top. But Wilcox had spoken tru
ly-there were no old days. The on
subject forbidden was the only subjec
| in, fhnir winds Of rt at
iniscence, at irrelevant anecdotes, wer
mere pretense. The fact that Wi!fre
and Lahoma were now married seem
ed to Danish events of month ago a
if they We're years and years in tn
past.
The next morning they had breakfas
in the gray dawn and departed for til
town Brick Wilcox was determine
to yield himself to the power Of til
law. Lahoma had gone out of his lif'
and he cared little as to what happene
to him.
/ In oppressive silence they skirte
Turtle hill and emerged from th
horseshoe bend. finding in a sheltcre
nook the three ponies that Wilfred ha
provided ut nightfall He had hope
to the last that Wilcox could be PR
vailed On to alter his decision. ana eve
while riding away toward Mangum b
argued and coaXed. But it WAS
vain. and rs they clattercd up to til
hotel veranda Wilcox was searchin
the crowd for a glimpse of the sheriff.
The street was unusually full for til;
time of night. Some topic of engro
sing interest seemed to engage a
minds unit, Wil!ock's figure was reco.
nizcd: then. indeed. he held the centt
of attention. Men gathered eagerl,
curiously. but without the hostilit
they would have displayed had not
message regarding Red Feather reacl
ed the town. Brick was still an on
law. to be sure. but whatever crime
be had committed We're unknown
hence unable to react on the imagin
ton. The surviving friend of RI
kimbaIl. giving up his efforts again
Wilcox Oh the liberation of Bill. ha
left the country. harmless without h
leader.
Conversation which bad been lot
and excited, eager calls from street co
1ers that had punctuated the mar
tongled argument and exposition. dir
med tn silence There was Il forwal
movement Of the men. not a rush, b
vibratory swell of the human til
pushing toward the steps of the hott
The two riderless horses danced sid
wise. Brick Wilcox had jumped uHc
the implanted 1oor of the ver;inda. al
Wi.fred had sprung lightly to his side
I'll just keep on my horse" mute
ed Bill. resting one leg stifiy over Il
pommel. Il can't get up as used
and expect to stay with We. Brick.
the jail door,
Wilcox did not turn his staggy he;
to answer. He had seen the sheriff
the other end of the piazza. and |
msde straight for him, not even co