The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-08-05

perfectly innocent ana natural one tor
her, led one of the hands. Il coarse
minded sneak, to watch them from
corrals Il wonder how Cliff would
like that?" he eyilly remarked,
Berea was frankly pleased to see
Wayland and spoke OF the improve
ment which had taken place in him.
You're looking fine." she said as they
were returning to the house But
how do you get on with the boysx'
Not very WELL" he admitted. They
seem to have it in for me. It's Il con-
stant fight
Her face grew grave Il reckon you
got started wrong" she said ut last
They'll like you better when you get
Drowned up and your clothes get dir
ty. You're u little too fancy for them
just now
Il don't believe want any more of
their company. What's the use? As
you say. I've started wrong with them.
and ! don't see any prospect of getting
right: and. besides, | like the rangers
better. Landon thinks ] might work
into the service. wonder if could?
1t would give me something to do
She considered Il moment. Well
think about that. Come into the kitch-
Gu. I'm cook today. Mothers gone to
town."
The kitchen was clean and ample.
and the delicious odor of new made
bread filed it with cheer AS the girl
resumed her apron Wayland settled
into chair with sigh Of content.
II like this" he said aloud There's
nothing cowgirl about you now; you're
the Anglo Saxon housewife. You might
he a Michigan or Connecticut girl at
this moment"
Her cheeks We're ruddy with the
heat and her eyes intent on her work.
but she caught enough of his meaning
to be pleased with it. 'Oh. ! have to
take hand at the pots and pans now
and then. can't give all my time 10
the service. but I'd like to-
He boldly announced his errand Il
wish you'd take me to board. I'm sure
your cooking would build up my shat
tered system a good deal quicker than
your aunt's."
She laughed. but shook her head.
"You ought to be on the hills riding
hard every day. What you need is the
high country and the air of the pines.
She had read that victims Of the
white plague always talk in this cheer
ful way about themselves. and she
worked on without replying.
"If were herein the valley-yor
and I could ride together now and
then, and you could show me all the
trails. Why not let me come here and
board? I'm going to ask your mother
IL may not do SO"
.Of course you can come here" sht
said when she saw he was in earnest
Mother will be glad to have you. al
though our ranch isn't bit pretty
Perhaps father will send you ont witt
one Of the rangers as fireguard. RI
ask him tonight"
81 wish you would. like these for
csters- what I've seen of them.
wouldn't mind serving under a mai
like I.andon. He's fine"
Upon this pleasant conference Cliff
Belden unexpectedly burst. Pushin:
the door open with slam. he con
fronted Berry with dark and angr,
| face.
"Why. Cliff. where did you com'
FROM she asked. rising in some con
fusion. II didn't hear you ride up"
apparently not" he sneeringly an
swered. IT reckon you were too mucl
occupied"
She tried to laugh away his blacl
mood. That's right. was. I'm chic
cook today. Come in and sit down
Mothers gone to town. and I'm play
ing her part" she explained. ignorin
his sullen displeasure. Cliff. this /
| Mr.. Norcross. who is visiting Unci
Joe. Mr.. Norcross. shake hands wit
| Mr.. Relden" She made this introdue
! ton with some awkwardness. for he
lovers failure to even say "Howdy
| informed her that his jealous hear
was aflame, and she went on quickly
"AIr. Norcross dropped in on his ma
to the postoffice. and I'm collecting
snack for him."
Recognizing Belden's claims upon tn
girl. Wayland rose. II must he COINS
It's long ride over the hill"
"Come again soon." urged Berrit
Father wants to see you."
"Thank you. will look in yer
shortly" he replied and went out wit
such dignity as he could command
feeling. however. very much like do
that has been kicked over the thresl
old.
i Closing the door behind him. Belde
turned upon the girl. Whats thu
consumptive 'dogie' doing here: u
'peared to be very much at home wit
4 you-too dern much ut homer
She was prepared for his displeasnr
but not for words like these. She Al
swered quietly: He just dropped
on his way to town. and he's not
dogie!" She resented his tone us we
as his words.
"I've heard about you taking hi
over to Meeker's and lending him yol
only sl;ckcr," he went on. but didn
expect to find him sittin' here like
owned you and the place. You're tn
ing altogether too much pains vii
+ him. Can't he put his own horse OIL
Do you have to go to the stable VII
him? You never did have any sen
J. about your actions with men. YOU
all along been too free of your reput
. tion, and now I'm going to take CT
of It for you. won't have you nursi
this runt any longer.
She perceived now the full measl'
Of his base rage. and her face gre