The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-11-18
her side without the slightest hesita-

ton.
'Lahoma"'
She turned sharply with "A certair
ease Of movement suggesting fe;r.cs.:
freedom. Her eyes looked straight iuto
the young nuns with penetrating keen
hess which instantly sufteneu to pleas.
ure. Why. how glad am to see
you!" she cried, giving him her hand
It's they withdrew from Che rush. But
how did you know meT'
How did you know?" he returned
pleased and thrilled by her glowing
brown hair. her eloquent eyes. her
warm tinted cheeks, her form, us erect
as Of yore. but not SO thin-us Sieasesl
and thrilled as if all these belonged to
him. How did you know me?" he re-
peated.
oh, said Lahoma. when | looked
into your face l saw myself as a girl
sitting under the cedar trees in the
cove with Brick and BILL
Just you three?" demanded Wilfred
wistfully. also smilingly.
'Oho!" exclaimed Laholna, showing
her perfect little teeth as if about to
bite. in a way that filled him with
fearful Joy. And 50 they showed you
that letter.
Just you three?" repeated Wilfred
Just room enough in the cove for you
and Brick-and Bill?"
Listen to me. Wilfred. and will
do the talking
"Well?"
She lowered her voice to a whisper.
Lean your head closer"
Wilfred put down his head. "Is this
close enough?" he whispered. feeling
exalted. Men, women and children
circled about them; the air vibrated
with the shock of trunks and mail
bags hurled upon the platform.
No" said Lahoma. rising ON tiptoe.
Wilfred took off his hat and got un-
der hers.
She whispered in his ear: Red Kim.
ball came on this train. There lie is.
He hasn't seen me yet-was in another
COACH"
well. go on talking. Lahoma. I'd
get closer if could"
"S-h-h. He knows me. for he was a
porter in our hotel. When he sees us
he'll know I've come home to warn
Brick. S-h-h! Then he'll try to keep
me from doing it. Look! Some of his
gang are speaking to him. They've
been waiting here to meet him. They'll
go with him, l expect. Well all be in
the stagecoach together"
What do you want me to do to 'em.
Lahoma?'
Il want you to pretend that you
don't know me-and they mustn't find
out your name is Compton. or they'll
think Mr.. Edgerton got word to you to
join me here. Be stranger till we're
safe in the cove"
"All right. Goodby! But suppose /
hadn't come?' .".
"Oh, could have done without you.'
said Lahoma. "or think l could!'
You could never have done without
me" Wilfred declared decidedly.
Il can right nowr' She drew away.
Ill get into the stage. Don't follow
too soon"
There We're three stagecoaches dra wn
up ut short distance from the plat.
form. and Lahoma went swiftly to the
one bound for her part Of the country
She was the first to enter. She was
seated quietly in a corner when the
two long seats that faced each other
began filling up. The last to come
were four men-one. tall, slender, red
faced and red haired: two others OF
dark and lowering faces. who looked
upon the former as their leader. ant
the last Wilfred Compton, who had
unobtrusively joined himself to this
remnant Of Red kimbalrs gang.
The stage. which was built after the
manner of the old fashioned omnibus
afforded no opportunity of moving tt
| and fro In the selection of seats: hence
when Red Kimball discovered Laho
mas identity-the exact moment Of tn,
discovery was marked by his violent
r start-she was safeguarded from hi.
!, approach by her proximity to yer!
large woman 1anked by thin spin
ster. These were two sisters. going t.
the evenings station where the coacl
would stop for supper. and Lahom,
, discussed with them their plans ant
, hopes with bright cheerfulness ant
ready friendship.
Wilfred watched Red Kimball as b,
|, glared in that direction and guessed
! his thoughts. Although Kimball knew
: Lahoma. he was not sure that sh
knew him. and. though he was con
: vinced ut once that she was on a mis-
sion Of warning. that might be tru,
without her knowing that he had lef
! Kansas City. Red Kimball was burn
, ing to find out If he were Il stranger t,
. her, but at the same time fearful O
disclosing himself He muttered to hi
companions hoarsely. careful that VIII
, fred. whom he regarded askance
h should overhear nothing that he said
And he continued to stare at Lahoma
his face brooding. his half yelled eye
/ red and threatening
S What would happen in the night
time as the stage pursued its lionel,
way across the bleak prairie? Sine
Red Kimball meant to appeal to th
law in his revenge against Brick. ther
was no danger of his transgressin
L 1t openly. But In the darkness. wit
: two INSCRIPTIONS companions unde
= his command. he would most probabl
! execute some scheme to prevent La
homa from reaching her destination.
The evening shadows were stretchin
o far toward the east from the few tree
e that marked the dried bed of a strea1