The Bossier banner., 1915-08-19


can rig out proper I'm glad you
like my rig"
At the moment he was bent on draw.
ing the girls attention from Berrie.
but as she went on he came to like
her. She said: mo, don't belong here.
but come out every year during vaca-
don with my father. love this coun-
try. It's SO big and wide and wild.
Father has built little bungalow
down at the lower mill, and we enjoy
every day Of our stay"
You're Smith GIRL" he abruptly
asserted
What makes you think soY'
"Oh. there's something about you
Smith girls that gives you dead away"
"Gives us away? like thatv'
My phrase was unfortunate. l Ike
Smith girls" be hastened to say.
In five minutes they were on the
friendliest terms-talking of mutual
acquaintances--a fact which both pux-
zied and hurt Berea. Their laughter
angered her. and whenever she glanc-
ed at them and detected Siona looking
into Wayland's face with coquettish
simper she was embittered. She was
glad when Moore came in and inter.
rupted the dialogue.
Norcross did not relax, though he
considered the dangers of cross exam
nation almost entirely passed. In this
he was mistaken, for no sooner was
the keen edge of Mrs. Belden's hunger
dulled than her curiosity sharpened.
Where did you say the supervisor
wasT' she repeated.
'The horses got away. and he had 70
go back after them" again responded
Berrie. who found the scrutiny Of the
other girl deeply disconcerting.
when do you expect him backr'
ANY minute now she replied. and
In this she was not deceiving them. al
though she did not intend to volunteer
any Information which might embar.
rass either Wayland or herself.
Norcross tried to create diversion.
isn't this charming valley?"
Siona took up the cue. isn't III
It's romantic enough to be the back
drop In Bret Harte play. l love itr'
Moore turned to Wayland. II know
q Norcross. Michigan lumberman.
vice president of the association. u
he by any chance relativeY'
"Only father" retorted Wayland.
with smile. but don't hold me 70.
sponsibie for anything he has done.
We seldom agree
Moore's manner changed abruptly.
Indeed! And what is the son Of w.
W. Norcross doing out here in the for.
est service?"
The change in her fathers tone was
| not lost upon Siona. who ceased hef
banter and studied the young man with
| deeper interest. while Mrs. Belden. Dc.
tecting some restraint In Berries tone.
renewed her questioning. where dM
you camp last night?'
Fright here"
II don't see how the horses got away.
There's a pasture here. for we rode
right through it,
Berrie was aware that each moment
OF delay in explaining the situation
looked like evasion and deepened the
significance OF her predicament. ana
| yet she could not bring herself to the
task of minutely accounting for her
time during the last two days.
Belden came to her relief. "Well.
| well, wen have to be moving on.
We're going into camp at the mouth
OF the west fork" he said as he rose
Tell Tony and the supervisor that We
want to line out that timber at the ear.
Hest possible moment"
Siona. who was now distinctly co.
quetting with Wayland. held out her
hand. II hope you'll find time 70
come up and see US. know we have
other mutual friends II we had time
to get ut them"
His answer was humorous. II am q
soldier I am on duty. I'm not at an
sure that | shall have a moments
leave. but viii call II can possibly
4 do So"
They started or at last without hav.
ing learned in detail anything Of the
intimate relationship into which the
supervisors daughter and young Nor
cross had been thrown. and Mrs. Bel
den was still 80 much In the dark that
she called to Berrie: I'm going 70
send word to CliT that yon are over
here. He'll be crazy to come the min.
ute he finds II out"
Don't do thatr' protested Berrie.
j Wayland turned to Berrie. THAT
would be pleasant" he said smilingly.
| But she did not return his smile. ca
the contrary. she remained very grave
81 wish that old talebearer had kept
away. She's going to make trouble
for rs all. And that girl. isn't she Z
xpectacle? I never could bear her"
"Why. what's wrong with her? She
seems very nice. sprightly person"
''She's regular play actor. don't
like madeup people. Why does she n
around with her sleeves rolled up tina,
way and-and her dress open at the
throat!'
"Oh. those are the affectations Of
the moment. She wants to look tough
and boisterous. That's the fad with
NIL the girls just now. It's only /
harmless piece Of foolishness.'
She could not tell him how deeply
! she resented his ready tone Of camara
derie with the other girl. but she VA
/ secretly suffering. It hurt her to thini
that he could forget his aches and b
so free and easy with a stranger at |
moments notice. Under the induenc
) Of that girls smile be seemed to hav
{ quite forgotten his exhaustion and hi
E pain. It was wonderful how cheerfu
he had been while she was In sight,