The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-09-14
Office. Abner, unable to work through
Old phones, 2750, 2751 or 1852
New .'phone, 538


sheer worry. was waiting for him.
There is thing you mustn't for
get" Abner remarked, with the inten-
ton Of taking his young friends mind
from the dangerous theme. and that
IS you have an engagement to call on
Mary this evening | heard you make
1t, you know. and | told her would
fetch you back with me in my buggy
and make you take supper there. You
could spend the night at her house or
walk back to town afterward. just as
you see fit"
Il will walk back" Howard answer
ed. Il like to get to wC.k early.
hadn't forgotten my engagement"
From passing farmer Tobias Trum-
bley had heard of the encounter He
had brought the news home before
sundown. and Mary was quite upset.
though she endeavored to conceal her
emotions from the family.
After supper Abner and the others
left the young couple under the tree
in the moonlight Nothing had been
said at the table on the all important
subject, and it looked as If Mary scarce
ly dared to touch on it. However. as
lie was rising to leave she ventured to
| speak Of it.
I'm awfully sorry and worried" she
faltered. land not alone for myself, as
| your best friend. Howard. but for your
mother When she hears Of this. as
| she Is sure to do. it will almost break
| her heart. She heard about the dispute
you had with Craig not long ago, and
she. along with many Of US, has been
dreading the outcome"
Howard smiled In forced sort Of a
way He had taken Marys hand and
he now stroked it soothingly. Il can't
talk to girl about a thing of this na-
ture. Mary" he said gently. You
women do not understand"
I'VE understand great deal more
than You give us credit for" Mary
gave him her eyes steadily. I'VE un-
observation-disclosures Of us who read and
think do. at Ieast-that what you call
defending your honor and the like Is
simply relic Of ancient 'barbariSm.
There is no doubt about it. A bad
man. habitually insane from whisky
drinking. In his stupOr insults high
tempered moral man in his right senses.
Now. one intellectually Is full grown.
and the other is q child Ancient bar
barism whispers to the sober man that
he must resent what the other-the
child-has said. so lie arms himself and
stands ready to shoot the child on
sight But that is not all Howard.
am sorry TO speak so pointedly. but
know that am right. even If it hurts
your feelings. The whole thing is abb
solute sel6shness at the bottom OF
it. You would not say word that
would pain your mother. but under this
mistaken idea Of what your rights arc
you would torture her and others who
love you more than if you beat them
with a club. Howard. we are here to
conquer flesh. admire you very much,
, but Id admire you more II you could
crush out the rage In your heart to-
night You are on the brink Of d preci
| picr. One step and your whole life
may be ruined"
lbu HIe I1SHt, SuIiOSe, I1D"dil
= faltered. II wish | could be as yor
!. | are but ! am not Men can't be likt
4 women. We are closer to the print
tive fighting period. You are the nat
4 ural peaceMakers."
n won't you promise me. Howard
Mary urged as she took his hand ant
r. clung to it-"won't you promise me nc
g to-you know what mean, Howard
not to meet Craig"
= Howard pressed her hand. He smile
u Continued on Puqe Itro.