The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-10-28

Il say fire him. and do it quick!' was
the instant rejoinder. accompanied by
| threatening twitchings of the huge
white mustache.
Wilcox was not convinced. Son.
If you sets here till we have had our
breakfast and has held caucus over
you I'll bring you the verdict in about
an hour If you don't like that they's
nothing to do but put out for your
| ranch.
Il go on duty at T." replied the
young man composedly, but have a
friend riding the line that'll stay with
1t till l come. So I'll wait for your
| caucus"
That friend-one of them devils
shot at the, other day."
Wilfred Compton smiled with sud-
| den sunniness. Yes
Somewhere beneath the immense
whiskers an answering smile slipped
| like breeze. stirring the iron gray
| hair. Il kinder believe i'll you. son.
ed the man in this matter Now, just
one thing more. You must swear here
before me, with Bill Atkins for an un-
willing witness, that should we let
you make the acquaintance of our lit
! tie gal and should you get to be
friends. you two. that the very fust
minute it comes to you that she amt
no little gal. but is in the way of be-
ing food for love-Bill Atkins. air l
making myself plain?'
You amt" returned the old man
sourly. You're too complicated for
ordinary USE"
''Then you tell him what l mean"
The old man glared at Wilfred fierce
ly. If we decide to grant your re-
quest. young man, swear on your hon
or that the second you find yourself
thinking of our little girl as woman.
to be wooed and won. you'll put out
and never stop till you're so far away
you'll be clear out of her world. And
not one word to her. not SO much as
one hint, mind you. as to the reason Of
your going. It'll just be goodby and
| FAREWELL"
You see" Wilcox interpolated. ''she
is nothing but little gal. and we don't
want no foolish ideas to the contrary
/ You takes her for what she is. moth
ing took from nor added to. In course
she'll be growed up some day, reck-
on. though may the good Lord take
good long time finishing up the work
he's begun SO noble. When she's
growed up. when she's a woman. it
amt for us to say how you come and
| how you go, take from or add to- But
| while she's a kid it is different. ac-
cording."
| "You have my word of honor to all
these conditions" Wilfred cried light
| ly. "As child Of the mountains ask
for her acquaintance. If should ever
| feel differently about her I'll go away
and stay away until she's woman"
The two men went into the cabin
| An hour later they reappeared. accom-.
| panied by the girl. Wilfred was still
seated obediently on the rock.
"Come over here in the shade" Will
lock called as he strobe toward a
grassy bank that sloped up to a line
of three cedar trees of interlocked
branches. "Come over here and know
her. This is cur gall
Lahoma looked at the young man
with grave interest as he advanced.
taking note of his garments and move
ments as she might have examined
the skin and actions of some unknown
animal. Bill Atkins also watched him.
but with suspicious eve.
'Set down." said Wilcox. sinking on
the grass. ''The last man up is the
biggest fool in Texas
Lahoma and Wilfred instantly drop
ped as If shot. at the same time break
ing into laughter that caused Willock's
beard to quiver sympathetically. Bill
! Atkins. sour and unresponsive. stood
as stiffiy erect as possible aided no lit
tie in this obstinate attitude by the
natural unelasticity of age.
The young man exclaimed boyishly.
still smiling at the girl. We're friends
already because we've laughed to-
gether''
"Yes." cried Lahoma, "and Brick is
In it too. That's best of ALL"
II amt in itr' cried Bill Atkins so
fiercely that the young man was some
what discomposed.
Now. Bill" exclaimed the girl re-
provingly. ''sit right down and make
the move"
This is Miss Lahoma WILCOX .
growled Bill. "and this"-waving at the
young man disparagingly-"says he is
Wilfred Compton. Know each otherr'
II am glad to know you." Lahoma
declared frankly. ITS mighty lucky
you came this way. for. you see. just
live here in the cove and never touch
the big world. l believe you know n
thousand things about the world that
I've amt never dreamed Of
THAT We have never dreamed Off
corrected Bill Atkins.
.That we have never dreamed off,
resumed Lahoma meekly. 'and that's
what I would like to hear about. I'm
just a little girl now. but when am
Of age I'm going out into the big world.
SO that's why I'm so glad to know you.
to use you like kind of dictionary.
Are you coming back here again."
81 hope sor' he exclaimed ferventiy.
/ "And so do l. In my cabin have a
long list of things written down in my
tablet that I'd like to know about
| questions that come to me as | sit
looking over the hill into the sky,
! thiuoc Rr;cIy doesn't know and nof
even Bill Atkins So that's why I'm
glad to know you.'' Lahoma said
grayely. But why did you want to