The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-09-23
CHAPTER XVIII.

~ NCE, in the mluSC Oh Il ldlhe
4 pursuit of other topics, the
4 elder Norcross again fixed his
~ eyes on Berea. saying. Il
wish my girls had your weight and
color" He paused a moment. then re-
sumed with weary infection: Mrs.
Norcross has always been delicate. ana
all her children-even her son-take
after her I've maintained private
and very expensive hospital for nearly
thirty years"
This regretful note in his fathers
voice gave Wayland confidence. His
spirits rose.
Come. let's adjourn to the parlor
and talk things over at our ease"
They all followed him. and after
showing the mother and daughter to
their seats near window, he drew his
father into corner. and In rapid uu-
dertone related the story Of his first
meeting with Berrie. of his trouble
with young Belaen. of his camping
"trip, minuteiy describing the encounter
on the mountainside and ended by say
ing, with manly directness: Il would
be up there in the mountains in Il box
If Berrie had not intervened. She's a
loble girl. father, and is foolish enough
to like me. and I'm going to marry her
and try to make her happy
The old lumberman. who had listen
ed intently all through this impassion-
ed story. displayed no sign of surprise
at It's closing declaration, but his eyes
straction. Send her over to me-" he
said at last Marriage is serious
matter. want to talk with her
alone
Wayland went back to the women
with an air of victory He wants to
see you, Berrie. He's mellowing.
Don't be afraid of him.
She might have resented the fathers
lack of gallantry. but she did not On
the contrary. she rose and walked res
olutely over to where he sat, quite
ready to defend herself. He did not
rise to meet her, but she did not count
that against him. for there was nothing
essentially rude III his manner. He
was merely her elder and inert
"Sit down." he said, not unkindly
Il want to have you tell me about my
son. He has been telling me all about
you. Now. let's have your side of the
story"
She took seat and faced him with
eyes as steady as his own Where
shall / begin?" she bluntly challenged
He wants to marry you. Now, il
seems to me that seven weeks is very
| short acquaintance for decision like
that, Are you sure you want him?"
yes, sir; am" Her answer was
most decided
His voice was slightly cynical as HI
went on. But you were tolerably
sure about that other fellow-tha
rancher with the fancy name-weren'
you:' She flushed at this, but waitet
for him to go on. Don't you think i
possible that your fancy for Waylans
is also temporary"
''No, sir,' she bravely declared /"
never felt toward any one the way
do toward Wayland. He's different.
shall never change toward him.
Her tone. her expression of eyes stop
ped this line of inquiry. He took u
| another "Now. my dear young lad,
am a business man as well as ia
ther, and the marriage of my son is
| weighty matter He is my main dc
pendence. | am hoping TO have hir
take ap and carry on my business. T
be quite candid, l didn't expect hil
to select his wife from Colorad
ranch considered him out of th
danger zone. | have always unde
/. stood that women were scarce in til
mountains Now don't misunderstan
me- I'm not one of those fools WI
are always trying to marry their sol
and daughters into the ranks of Il
idle rich don't care hang abo'
social position, and I've got none
enough for my son and my sons wifi
But he's all the boy l have, and don
want him to make a mistake.
Neither do l." she answered simpl
her eyes suffused with tears. If
thought he would be sorry
He interrupted again. "Oh. you car
. tell that now! ANY marriage is rls
| don't say he's making a mistake
. selecting you. You may be just t
; woman he needs Only | want to
consulted I want to know more abo
you. He tells me you have taken ;
active part in the management OF t
ranch and the forest. Is that true?
, i've always worked with my
ther-yes. sir.
: "You like that kind of lifeg'
Il don't know much about any 9th
Eind Yes. | like it. But I've h
enough of it. I'm willing to change.
We'll. how about city life-hous
tseeping and all that?"
SO long as | am with Wayland
!. shan't mind what do or where
i've"