The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-02-24
Smoke BeIIeW.
Continued from Page One.


which had hauled it in
What had happened Smoke could
only guess, and as he came to McCans
lire he was prepared for Il second ours
Ing. Instead, be saw Mclean himself
chewing strip OF carl
bou meat
I'm not a fghtin man." he whining
~ explained. But shorty got away,
though they're still after him. He
surely put uo Il fight. He plugged two
bucks that'l! get around all right. "a
he croaked one square through tho
chest"
"Yes. know" Smoke answered. Il
just met the widow"
"Old Snass'll be wantin' to see you."
Mclean added. '"Them's MIS- orders.
Soon as you come in YOU WAS to go to
his fire. amt squealed- You don't
know nothin'. Keep that In mind
Shorty went off on his own nook along
with me-"
At Snass' fire Smoke found Labisk.
wee. She met him with eyes that
shone with such softness and tender
ness as to frighten him.
I'm glad yon didn't try to run
away" she said You see, r. She
hesitated, but her eyes didn't drop.
They SWAIN with tight unmiStakable.
II lighted my fire. and of course it was
for you. 1t has happened. ike you
better than everybody else In the
world. Better than my father | love.
1t Is very strange. love ~ Francesca
loved. as lseult loved Old -Four Eyes
spoke true. Indians do not love this
way. But my eyes are blue. and am
white We are white you and l."
Smoke had never been proposed to In
his life, and he was unable to Meet the
situation. Worse. it was not even a
proposal. His acceptance WIS taken
for granted. So thoroughly WAS It all
arranged In Labiskwee's mind. ~
warm was the light in her eyes that he
was amazed that she did not throw her
arms around him and rest her head on
his shoulder. Then he realized, despite
her randor Of love. that she did not
know the pretty ways Of love Among
the primitive savages such ways did
not obtain. She had had no chance Il
learn.
She prattlpd On. chanting the happy
burden OF her love. while he $truve t
grip himself In the effort somehow Il
wound her with the trIth And thrI
to-,
falling snowflakes, and Smokes opIor
tunity was lost
Good evening" Snass buried grnff
~. Your partner has made mess
Of it. | am glad you had better sense.
You might tell me wlat's happen
ed" Smoke urged.
The fash Of white teeth through the
stained beard was not pleasant. Ger
tainly. III tel! you. Your partner has
killed one Of my people. That SWIVEL
ing shrimp. McCan. deserted at the
first shot, He'll never run away again
But my hunters have got your partner
in the mountains. and they'll get him
He'll never make the Yukon basin. A:
III yous llolu ~" oA Sou SItCp
fire. And there'll be no more scoutin,
with the young men. | shall have m!
eye on you"
Smokes new situation at SnasS' fir,
was embarrassing. He saw more o
Labiskwe than ever. In it's sweetness
and innocence the frankness Of he
| love was terrible Her gances wer
love glances. Every look was caress
a score of times he nerved himself t.
tell her of Joy Gastell. and score .
times he discovered that he was
| coward.
The damnable part of it was that La
biskwee was so delightful She wa
good to look upon. Despite the hurt t
bis self esteem of every moment spen
with her. he pleasured in every sue
moment. For the first time In his lif
he was really learning woman. and S
clear was I.abiskwee's soul. SO appal
ing In its innocence and ignoranc
that be could not miSread 4 line Of Il
All the pristine goodness of her Sc
was In her. uncluttered by the cor
ventionality of knowledge or the d.
ceit of self protection
And Smoke learned about himself
He remembered back to all he kne'
OF Joy Gastell and be knew that
loved her. Yet he delighted in Iabisl
wee. And what was this feeling {
delight but love? He could demean
by no less name. Love it was. Lov
1t must be. And be was shocked I
the roots Of his soul by the discover
of this polygamous strain in his n;
ture
There must be many women in IL
world" she said one day. And VOL
en- like men. Many women must ha,
liked you. Tell me-"
He did not reply.
Tell me-" she insisted. "is 1t not so
Il have never married." he evaded.
| And there Is no one else: No 9TH
| lseult out there beyond the mou
| tains?"
! Then it was that Smoke knew hl1
self coward. He lied. Reluctant
he did it. but he lied. He shook b
head with Il slow. indnlgent smile. al
in his face was more of fondness tn;
he dreamed as he noted labiskw we,
swift JOY TRANSPORTATION.
He excused himself to himself. Fl
reasoning was deceitfu beyond Il
y pute. and yet he was not Spart;
' enough to strike this child woman
lUivering heart stroke
Snass. too, was pertnrbing fact
in the problem. Little eScants. his ke
black eyes. and he spoke significantly
I mo man cares to see his daught
+; married. he said to Smoke. AT lea
:: no man Of imagination. Just the sal
in the natural order or life Alargal