The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-08-12

storm hid. the afternoon was joyous.
Berrie was sweet companion. Tn
der her supervision he practiced at
chopping wood and took a hand at
cooking.
He had to admit that she was better
able to care for herself in the wilder
ness than most men. even western men.
and. though he had not yet witnessed
a display Of her skill with a rifle. he
was ready to believe that she could
shoot as well as her sire Neverthe-
less he liked her better when engaged
in purely feminine duties. and he led
the talk back to subjects concerning
which her speech was less blunt and
manlike.
He liked her when she was joking.
for delicious little curves of laughter
played about her lips. She became very
amusing as she told of her visits
east" and of her embarrassments in
the homes Of city friends. Il just
have to own up that about all the
schooling I've got is from the maga-
zines. Sometimes wish | had pulled
out for town when was about four
teen; but. you see, didn't feel like
leaving mother. and she didn't feel like
letting me 60. and so Just got what
| could at Bear Tooth" She sprang
up. There's patch of blue sky.
Let's so see II we can't get grouse"
Together they strolled along the edge
of the willows. THE grouse come
down to feed about this time" she
said. We'll put up covey soon."
Within quarter Of mile they found
their birds, and she killed four with
five shots. This is all we need" she
said, land don't believe in killing for
the sake of killing. Rangers should set
good examples In way of game preser-
vation. They are deputy game war
dens In most states. and good ones
too."
The night rose formidably from the
valley while they ate their supper.
but Berrie remained tranquil Those
horses probably went clean back to the
ranch. II they did. daddy can't pos
sibly get back before o'clock. and he
| may not get back till tomorrow"
Norcross. with his city training. was
acutely conscious of the delicacy OF
the situation. In his sisters circle a
| girl left alone In this way with man
| would have been very seriously en-
barrassed. but 1t was evident that Ber-
rie took it all joyously. innocently.
Their being together was something
which had happened in the natural
course of weather. a condition for
which they were In no way RESPONSE
ble. Therefore she permitted herself
to be frankly happy in the charm Of
their enforced intimacy.
She had never known a youth of his
quality. He was 50 considerate. SO re-
i fined. so quick Of understanding and
SO swift to serve. He filed her mind
to the exclusion of unimportant mat
tiers like the snow, which was begin
/ ming again Indeed. her only anxiety
concerned his health. and as he toiled
amid the falling flakes. intent upon
heaping up wood enough to last out
the night. she became solicitous
"You will be soaked" she warming
~ cried. Don't stay out any more.
Come to the fire. I'll bring in tho
wood"
Something primeval. some strength
he did not know he possessed sustain
ed him. and be toiled Oh. suppose
this snow keeps fallingy he retorted.
The supervisor will not be able to
get back tonight-perhaps not for
couple of nights. We viii need lot
| Of fuel
He did not voice the fear UT the
storm which filed his thought. but
the girl understood It, 1T won't be
very cold" she calmly replied 1T
never is during these early blizzards
and. besides. all we need to do is to
drop down the trail ten miles and
we'll be entirely out Of it."
"I'll feel safer with plenty OF wood"
he argued. hut soon found it necessary
to rest from his labors. Coming in to
camp. he seated himself beside her
on roll Of blankets. and so together
they tended the fire and watched the
darkness roll over the lake till the
shining crystals seemed to drop from
measureless black ARCH sonndlcss
and oppressive.
What time Is 1t now7" she asked
abruptly.
He looked at his watch. Half aft
er 81
III father isn't OH this side Of the
divide now he won't try 10 cross. II
he's coming down the slope he'll be
here in an hour. although that trail Is
tolerabiy tough proposition this min
ute. A patch Of dead timber Oh a dark
night Is sure nuisance even to Ii good
man. He may not make it. =
Couldn't rig UP Il torch and go to
meet hin?
She put her hand on his arm. ..You
stay right herev' she commanded. You
couldn't follow that trail Ave minutes y
You have d very poor opinion of my
skill"
mo. haven't; but know how hare
1t is to keep direction ON night like
this. and ] don't want you wandering
around in the timber. FatLer can takt
care OF himself. He's probably sittin:
under big tree smoking his pipe be
fore his fire-or else he's at home. FL,
knows we're all right. and we are
We have wood and grub and plenty o
{ blankets and a roof over us iou cal
make your bed under this fly" sh
. said. looking up at the canvas. Il
beats the old baisam as roof. Yo
!. mustn't sleep cold again"
Il think I'd better sit up and kee
= the fire going" lie replied heroically