The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-03-11
November Joe.
Continued from Page One.

y
ed US to be careful. We had not shut |
the door leading to the veranda. as 1t
was the only one. and we needed it
open for light and air. Petersham
walked toward it, but. instead of STEP
ping out. he turned and laid hand
like wise on my arm.
''Quiet! Quiet for your life!" he
whispered. She must never know
we were here!'
But. Joe. you're mistaken. Joe. l
wish itr' 1t was Linda's voice. shy
and trembling as had never heard it.
"Ah, that's all your great goodness.
Miss Linda. and haven't earned none
Of it."
pointed frantically to the door. We
must shut that door and shut out those
voices. but Petersham swore at me
under his breath.
Darn. you know those hinges
screech like wildcat! 1t can't he
helped. for it would kill her to know
We heard word Of this"
We crept away into the farthest cor
ner of the workshop. but even there
phrases floated to US. though merciful.
~ We could not hear all.
But father would help you, for you
know you are genius. joe
"All l could ever do lies in the woods.
Miss Linda; woodsways is the whole
of it. A yard outside the wood and
the meanest chap bred on the streets
could beat me easy. can't thank you
nor Mr.. Petersham the way I'd like to.
for my tongue is SLOW" Here his
voice fell.
But if you hate the city life so
much you must not go to the city" 1t
was Linda again. Live your life in
the woods. l love the woods too"
1.-THE woods is bleak and black
enough to them that's not born among
the trees. Them that's lived outside
allus wants more. Miss Linda
A long interval followed before the
voices became audible again.
"Oh. no. no. Joet'
Petersham clutched my arm once
more at the sound.
don't know. I'd give my right hand
to believe different. but I can't. 1t
wouldn't be best-not for you
November's tone moved me more
than Linda's passion. He was man
fighting it out against his own heart
knew we'll the power of attraction
Linda possessed. but somehow had
not guessed how it had worked on Joe.
I had. indeed. been right in so far that
he had not dreamed of aspiring to her:
nevertheless the episode would mean
pain and loss to him. | feared. for
many day.
Once more I heard him.
"Don't you think I'll be proud every
hour have to live that you was so
good to me, Miss Linda? l shan't new.
er forget it,
Joe. | think hate you" she cried.
And then the quick tap of her footsteps
told us she had run into the house.
There was absolute silence for Il min
| ute Or two. At length Joe sighed heav.
lily and with the slow laborious move
ment of weakness went to his room.
When all seemed safe Petersham and
| l stole out of hiding like thieves. and,
| though We exchanged no word. Peter.
| sham was swearing violently under his
breath until he shut his office door.
Rather to my surprise November Joe
came out for awhile after supper. be.
cause he said it was my last evening
1 ~ol,, 81 l, T IL,
gave any sign that anything unusual
| had passed between them. Indeed. we
| were gay enough, and we had Charley
| Paul in to sing us some Erench-Cana-
| dian songs.
After saying goodby as well as good
ed Joe to his ROOM
II won't wake you up in the morn.
ing. November" said. There's moth.
ing like rest and sleep to put you on
your legs again"
I've been trying that cure. Mr.. Qua
ritch. and won't be long behind you. y
"Oh. where are you going tor
ITO my shack on Charley's brook
I'm kind O. homesick like, and that's
the truth"
But how about Mr. Petersham's
wish to give you start in his business
in New York or Montreal?"
I'm not the kind of guy for city
Mr.. Quaritch. All the chaps d get
turning round to stare at the poor wild
fella. and I'd sure be scairt to sleep in
one of them up in the blue sky houses
anyway" He laughed.
but you would soon be used to city
ways and perhaps become rich"
THAT was what the mink said to the
otter: Go you to the city and see the
sights says he. but the otter knew
the only way he'd ever see the city
would be around some lovely gals
neck"
November Joe had no idea how far
could read into his fable
"And what did the otter say?''
Huh. nothing! He just went down
his slide into the lake and got chasin
fish. and | guess he soon forgot he
missed SEEM the city all right"
, "And how about you. Joe?'
Il guess I'll get chasin' fish. too. Mr.
Quaritch."
When l arrived at the depot ut Pri
amsville in the morning. to my sur
prise found November Joe there be
fore me.
, why. Joer' l exclaimed. you're moi
fit to travel
. II thought I'd go on the cars With
you. Mr.. Quaritch. if you'll have me
There's a good many times to change
before we gets to Silent Water, and