The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-09-02
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reason why others equally delightful
might not come to them both. He was
more Of the lover than he had ever
been before; that she knew, and in the
light of his eyes all that was not girl
ish and charming melted away. Sue
forgot her heavy shoes. her rough
hands and sun tanned face and listen
ed with wondering JOY and pride to bis
words. which were of fineness such
as she had never heard spoken-only
books contained such unusual and ex-
quisite phrases.
A cloud passing across the sun flung
down shadow of portentous chill and
darkness. She started to her feet with
startled recollection Of the place and
the hour.
1--WE must be going-at oncer' she
commanded.
mot yet," he pleaded. "It's only a
cloud. The sun Is coming out again.
| have perfect confidence in your wood
craft Why not spend another night
OH the trail? 1t may be our last trip
together"
He tempted her strongly, so frank
and boyish and lovable were his glances
and his words. But she was vaguely
afraid of herself. and though the long
ride at the moment seemed hard and
dull the thought of her mother waiting
decided her action.
mo. nor she responded firmly. 1--WE
have wasted too much time already
We must ride"
He looked up at her with challenging
glance. Suppose refuse-suppose I
decide to stay here?"
Upon her as he talked sweet hes
itation fell. dream which held more
of happiness than she had ever known
ut is a long. hard ride" she thought.
"and another night on the trail will
not matter" And SO the moments
passed on velvet feet, and still she lin
gered. reluctant to break the spell.
Suddenly into their idyllic browse OF
content, SO sweet, SO youthful and so
pure of heart, broke the sound OF a
horses hurrying, clashing steel shod
feet, and, looking up, Berrie saw a
mounted man coming down the noun
tain side with furious. reckless haste.
1T is Cliff! she cried out Hes
ON our trail!'' And into her face came
look of alarm. Her lips paied: her
eyes widened. Hes mad-he's dam
gcrous! Leave him to me-" she added
There was something so sinister In
the riders disregard Of stone and tree
and pace. something SO menacing In
the forward thrust of his body. that
Berrie was able to divine his wrath
and was smitten into irresolution, all
her hardy, boyish self reliance swal
lowed up in the weakness OF the WON
an She forgot the pistol ut her bel,
and awaited the assault with rigid
pose
As Belden neared them Norcross also
perceived that the riders face was dis
torted with passion and that his glance
was not directed upon Bcrrie. but upon
himself. and he braced himself for the
attack.
Leaving his saddle with one. flying
leap, which the cowboy practices al
play, Belden hurled himself upon his
rival with the fury of a panther.
The slender youth went down before
the big rancher as though struck by q
catapult. and the force OF his fall
against the stony earth stunned him sc
that he lay beneath his enemy as help
| less as a child.
Belden snarled between his teeth. 81
told you I'd kill you, and will!''
But this was not to be. Berea sud
denly recovered her native force. With
a cry of pain. of anger. she flung her
.lelf on the maddened mans back. Hel
hands encircled his neck like q collar
Of bronze.
LET gor' she commanded. with dead
| iy intensity. "Let go or I'll choke the
life out of you! Let so. sayr'
He raised hand to beat her OF. bu,
she was too strong. too desperate to be
driven away. She was as blind to pain
as a mother eagle and bent above him
| so closely that he coulo not bring the
| full weight of his fist to bear. With
| one determind hand still ciutching his
throat, she ran the fingers of her othel
hand into his hair and twisted his head
upward with power which he couIc
not resist And SO. looking into his
upturned ferocious eyes. she repeated
with remorseless fury. "Let go. say!
His swollen face grew rigid. hi:
mouth gaped. his tongue protruded
and at last, releasing his hold on his
! victim, he rose, tlinging Berrie of with