The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-08-26

sentiment he felt melted away. lLS
no use saying IT," he remarked at
length What we've got to meet Is
Seth Belden's report-Berrie has cut
loose from Cliff. and he's red headed /
already When he drops on to this
story, when he learns that l had to |
chase back after the horses and that |
you and Berrie were alone together
for three days, he'll have fine club
to swing, and he'll swing 1t, and Alec
will help him. They're all waiting
chance to get me. and they're mean
enough to get me through my girl"
What can l do?' asked Wayland.
McFarlane pondered. "Tll try to
head off Marin Belden and I'll have a
talk with Moore. He's a pretty rea-
| sonable chap
But you forget there's another tale
bearer. Moore's daughter is with
| them"
That's SO. I'd forgotten her. Good
Lord, we are in for it! There's no
use trying to cover anything up"
Here was the place for Norcross to
speak up and say, "Never mind. I'm
going to ask Berrie to be my wife,"
But he couldn't do 1t. Something rose
in his throat which prevented speech.
A strange repugnance, kind Of sui
len resentment at being forced. into
declaration kept him silent, and Nc
Farlane. disappointed. wondering and
hurt. kept silence also.
Norcross was the first to speak. ''Of
course those who know your daughter
will not listen for an instant to the
story Of an unclean old thing like Mrs.
| Belden."
4 I'm not so sure about that" re-
piled the father gloomily. "People al
ways listen to such stories. and girl
always gets the worst of a situation
like this. Berries been brought up to
take care of herself, and she's kept
. clear of criticism so far, but with Cliff
On edge and this old rip snooping
around His mind suddenly changed.
: "Your being the son of rich man
won't help any. Why didn't you tell
} me who you were?'
II didn't think it necessary. What
difference does it make? l have moth
ing to do with my fathers business
: His notions Of forest speculation are
: not mine.''
: at would have made a difference
r with me. and it might have made 9
). difference with Berrie. She mightn'1
have been so free with you at the star
! if she'd known who you were. Yot
e looked sick and kind of lonesome, ant
= that worked on her sympathy"
Il was sick and was lonesome, ant
$ she has been very sweet and lovely t
me. and it breaks my heart to thinl
n that her kindness and your friendship
t? should bring all this trouble and sus
picion upon her. Let's so up to tn
II Moore camp and have it out with them
2. I'll make any statement you thin
e best"
J. Il reckon the less said about 1t tn
better" responded the older man. "Tr
u going up to the camp, but not to tai
about my daughter"
y How can you help it? They'll fore
e the topic"
'e IF they do Til force them to let
II alone" retorted McFarlane, but b
t went away disappointed and sorrow
10 full
If When the supervisor returned frol
le the camp something in his manner r.
vealed the fact that the situation ha
not improved.
,e "They forced me into a corner"
1e said peevishly. II lied out of one nigh
III but they know that you were here la
~ night. OF course they were respectf
enough so long as l had an eye {
d. them, but their tongues are waggir
now
It. As bedtime drew near Settle took
pd blanket and went to the corral, al
rv Berrie insisted that her father al
Wayland occupy the bunk.
N Norcross protested, but the supervt
or said: Let her alone. She's bett
OF able to sleep on the floor than eth
rs Of u.s."
ng This was perfectly true: but, In spi
as Of his bruised and aching body. t
Ell youth would gladly have taken b
III place beside the stove. It seemed pi
he fully unjust that she should have Il
s. physical hardship in addition to b
II uneasiness Of mind.
in Berea suffered restless night, t
MS most painful and broken she q
known in all her life. She ackno,
'af edged that Siona Moore was prett
on and that she stood more nearly
co1f hf1t
pie realization of this fact did not bri
No surrender She was not of that tie
per. All her life she had been call
ISL upon to combat the elements. to HI
nd her own amid rude men and moons
crate women. and she had no intent
on Of yielding her place to a pert
quette, no matter what the goss
lty might say.
.'She shall not have her way W
to Wayland,'' she decided. Il know w
she wants-she wants him at her s
dy tomorrow But / will not have it
,dy She is trying to get him away from n
ow The more she dwelt on this the
MS ter her jealous fever burned The fl
d on which she lay was full of KIN
| It She could not lose herself in sleep. ii
MS she was The planks no lon
dee turned their soft spots to her flesh.
the she rolled from side to side in torm'
Her plan of action was simple.
hut SHALL go home tomorrow and t
.ual Wayland with me. ! will not b
he him going with that girl: that's
am tied
YOU The hard trip of the day be1
tel had seemingly done him no permar
,aiprv On tha contrary a few no