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

forth, gun In hand, his eyes sweeping
the landscape in quick flashing glances.
Almost instantly he discovered the fig
ure perched on the granite block over
looking his retreat. He raised his gun
to his shoulder.
The young man fell sidewise behind
the rocks. and a bullet clipped the edge
Of his barricade. Remaining supine,
he fastened his handkerchief to the
end of his whip and waved it above
the rampant. Having thus manifested
his peaceful intent, he rose, still hold
Ing the flag of truce above his head,
and remained motionless. Brick Will
lock stared at him for moment in
hostile indecision, then strode forward.
At the same time an old man, thin,
tall and white haired. issued from the
dugout, evidently attracted by the gun
shot. and soon after the cabin door
opened, and the girl of the cove looked
out inquiringiy.
In the meantime the young man SLOW
ly descended the hill to the oval valley,
while Wilcox hurried forward to meet
him.
Don't You come no fu'ther!' VIII.
lock commanded, threatening with his
gun. Keep your hands above youl
head until l can ship your cargo"
Obediently he stood while the great
whiskered fellow took the weapons
from his belt and dived into his hir
pockets.
'.That'l do. Now. what do you
want?
Its hard to put it into a few
words" the other complained I'D
like to have little talk with YOU"
You are one of them fellows that
come here to run US out of the coun
try, amt you? Are your pards out.
side there, waiting for a message?"
Nobody knows I'm here or thought
of coming. Let me put that affair in
It's true light. The boys are all under
our boss. and when he lays down the
law 1t isn't for us to argue with him
We carry out orders
Unless there's a Brick Wilcox in
volved in them orders.' returned the
man, with u grim smile.
But it's our duty to try to carry out
the orders, whether we like 'em or not
So you won't hold that against me
that little scrimmage of last month
especially as you came out best man.
Il used to have boss myself" VIII
lock spoke uncompromisingly 'bu,
when he give me certain orders one
particular night that l recollect
Knocked him on the head and put Out
for other parts. l guess your boss
knowed this wasn't his land, didn't he
What's going to become of this country
when a man isn't satisfied with what
is his'n? Well, now you've had little
talk with me you can just mosey along
I'll send your weapons after you by 8
messenger"
The young man cast despairing
glance toward the girl, who stood in
her doorway gravely listening. The
man with the bushy white hair had
drawn near, but evidently with nc
thought of interfering.
"Willock"-the voice came so eager
SO impetuous, that the words were
somewhat incoherent-'I've got to talk
to your daughter. Hold on; don't
shoot: listen! That's what I've come
for, to see her and-and meet her anG
hear her voice. can't help it. can II
It's been two long years since l left
home back east, and in all these two
years I've never seen anything like
your little girl. and-and what harm
can it do? | say, have pity on fellow,
and do him the biggest favor he could
enjoy on this earth when it won't cost
you a penny or turn of your hand
I'm just so lonesome. so homesick. SC
dead killed by all these sand hills and
alkali beds and nothing to talk to from
one years end to the next but men and
CATTLE"
Wilcox glared at him in silence. fin.
gering the trigger thoughtfully.
There I've sat on that hill,' he con.
tinued. "since 2 o'clock last night wait
ing for daylight so l could ask you to
help miserable wretch that's just
starving to death for the sound Of a
girls voice and the sight of a girls
smile"
1T is kinder lonesome" remarked
the other gruff1y. He lowered his gun
and leaned on it irresolutely. You've
sure touched me in the right spot, son
for l knows all you mean and more
that you amt even ever dreamt of
but, you see. we don't know nothing
about your name. your character, II
you've got one. nor what you really
Intends
my name is Wilfred Compton. IL
have letter or two in my pocket that
l got long time ago. They'd tell
something about me. but I'd rather moi
show 'em, as they're private
From your gal. reckon?" asked
Wilcox more mildly.
Yes" he answered gloomily.
Carried 'em as long as year?"
Nearly two years
nCeiH " Sill lug ell dIOuuu!
"Of course I'm going to keep en-
well. ! don't deny that's pretty ia
vorable. Now look here, son. ";
been half crazy from lonesomeness
and don't believe I've got the hear
to send you away. That gal Of ours
she's just kid. you understand
Now you wouldn't be taking up III
idea that she was what you'd classif,
as young lady or anything like that
ehg'
..Of course not She's fifteen or six
teen. I should think Upon my honor
Wilcox. any thought of sentiment OF
romance is a thousand miles from my
mind.''