The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-07-29
CHAPTER III.
A forester's Secret.

THE trail. hardly more than Il
wood road, grew wilder and
lonelier as they climbed. Cattle
fed on the hillsides in scattered
bands like elk. Here and there small
cabin stood on the bank of n stream.
but for the most part the trail mounted
the high slopes in perfect solitude.
The girl talked easily and Ieisurely.
reading the brands Of the ranchers, re
vealing the number of cattle they own
ed. quite as a young farmer would
have done. She seemed not to be EN-
barrassed in the slightest segree by
the fact that she was guiding Il strange
man over a lonely road and gave no
outward sign of special interest in him
till she suddenly turned to ask. wv hat
kind of slicker-l mean a raincoat-
did you bring:'
He looked blank. Il don't believe
brought any. I've a leather shooting
jacket. however"
She shrugged her shoulders and look
ed up at the sky. We're in for u
storm. You'd ought % have slicker,
no fancy 'raincoat.' but real old fash
ioned COW puncher's oilskin. They
make business of shedding rain
She rode on for a few minutes in 81
ience. as If disgusted with his folly.
but she was really worrying about
him. Poor chap she said to her
self. "He can't stand a chill. l ought
to have thought Of his slicker myself.
He's helpless as baby"
They were climbing fast now. wind,
ing upward along the bank of d
stream. and the sky had grown sud
denly gray. and the woodland patti
was dark and chill. The mountains
were not less beautiful. but they were
decidedly less amiable. and the youth
shiveEed. casting an apprehensive eye
ut the thickening clouds.
Berea perceived something OF his dis
may and. drawing rein. dismounted
Behind her saddle was il tightly rolled
bundle which. being united and shaker
out, proved to be Il horseman's rain
proof oilskin coat. Put this ont' sht
commanded.
"Oh. no. he protested. Il can't TAX.
your coat"
Yes you can! You must! Don't yo'
worry about me. I'm used to weather
Put this on over your jacket and al
You'll need it Rain won't hurt me
but 1t will just about finish YOU"
The worst of this lay in its truth
and Norcross lost all his pride of Sc.
for the moment A wetting would no
dim this girls splendid color nor re
duce her vitality one degree. while t
him 1t might be death warran1
''You could throw me over my ow
horse.'' be admitted in Il kind of bite
admiration and slipped the coat OF
shivering with cold as he did 50.
You think me poor excuse for
trailer. don't you:" he said ruefully a
the thunder began to roll.
You've got to be all made owe
new" she replied tolerantly- Sta
here year and you'll be able to stan
anything"
Remounting. she again led the wa
with CHEEKY cry. The rain came dasl
ing down in fitful. misty streams. bu
she merely pulled the rim of her son
brero closer over her eyes and rod
| steadily on. while he followed. plunge
in gloom as cold and gray as til
storm.
These mountain showers don't las
long," the girl called back. her fac
shining like rose. well get the su
in few minutes
And so it turned out In less tha
nm hour they rode into the warm ligf
again. and in spite of himself Norcros
| returned her smile. though he said: .
feel like selfish fool. You III
soaked
| II never take cold" she returne,
| .I'm used to all kinds of weathe
Don't you bother about me-"
Topping Il low divide. the yout
caught Il glimpse of the range to Il
southeast, which took his breat
| Isn't that superb?" he exclaime'
| IT'S like the shining roof Of Il
worldr'
"Yes. that's the Continental divide
she confirmed casually. but the lyrici
| note which he struck again reache
| her heart. The men she knew had
few words for the beautiful In Lii
She wondered whether this mans Y
ness had given him this refinement ,
| whether it was native to his kin