The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-09-28
Copyright, 1914, by Harper &
Brothers
CHAPTER XVII.
Abner In a Difficulty.

A Is soon as Abner arrived in town
IA Oh the morning of his conver-
sation with Mary while at his
~ early breakfast he went to the
office Howard was there already ana
at wsrk Oh an editorial. The young
dark rings around his eyes, and his
hands shook nervously.
II see you beat me-" Abner said in
an effort at lightness. You seem to
believe that the. early mornin' is the
best time fer brain work.
ANY occupation is better than none
right now Howard said wistfully.
hut there are times when brain WORK
Is next to impossible. Have you seen
Pole Baker this morning?"
Abner nodded. and Howard went or
hurricdly:
Then you know that I'm under sur.
velilance?"
Abner nodded again THAT don't
make any difference" he answered.
it's only a form that has to be got
through with inAin sech matters. y
thing like this has to be s;lddled Oh
somebody. an the authorities are
afearG they won't earn their wages eff
they don't make some sort o pretense
O bein' on the job. At the proper time
we'll show 'em a thing or two. The
idea OF accusin' a man O yore stand
in'"-
"Stop! Let's get down to facts"
Howard shot straight stare across
his table into the old face bending to-
ward him. You know l read law for
awhile, Uncle Alb. Well, read enough
and associated enough with lawyers
and judges in my newspaper work in
writing up various criminal cases to
know that am in a mighty tight hole.
| | am bound hand and foot by circum-
| stantial evidence I'm afraid shat no
| lawyer in the world could free me.
| can see conviction of my guilt writ
ten in every face | meet on the street.
see it in the way they all blink and
| shrink from me as pass along" How
ard put his pencil down and raised
for moment; then, as Abnsr was
about to speak, he went Oh bluntly
II am innocent, and yet my conscience
is not clear--not wholly clear. If II
were l think l could face it better.
did not kill Craig but l would have
done it If l had had the chance two
hours after my fight with him. Now ht
| Is dead feel different. / wonder how
could have been so enraged by any
thing such drunken, irresponsible
creature could have said or done. Bu
my conduct and furious threats will be
held against me. This is my punish
ment. 1t is tough, but will have tt
put up with it"
Abner was so wrought up by thi!
blunt utterance that he was speeches.
His kindly mouth was drawn down a
the corners, and his lips twitchcd. HI
hung his hat up on its nail against th'
wall that he might have an excuse 70
turning his face away. He was longe
about it than was necessary and wen
on slowly to the water pail on an in
verted box near by and drank from th
rusty tin dipper. although he was no
thirsty He felt Howard's gaze follow
ing him and was hardly prepared fo
what he said when they faced eac
| other again.
| Il don't feel so badly about havin
| to go to JAIL" Howard said. plunsin
into the subject impulsively Il don
care If they refuse me bail-and the
will. of course. I don't care so muc
for the fact that all this town and SUI
rounding country consider me guilty
| 1t isn't that that I'm thinking about
that l thought about as I lay awak
last night. I'm thinking about 20,
sir. You put yourself out to buy thi
paper simply to help me. You gay
me good advice all along, but l pai
no attention to it. Now, what ha
come of it? Why, with me i'll th
county lookup your investment will 9
to ruin; with me on the galows or
prison for life, people will sneer
| your Judgment in backing a will
harum scarum fool that you ought
| have turned down long ago and woul
II if YOU hadn't been the best man in tt
II warld.''
II Almost with a rush Abner steppt
| forward. He put his hands on HOY
L ards shoulders. He looked into Il
young mans face while his own f1ll'
with emotion. Don't. don'tr' he 1
but sohbed. You are too young
comprehend the most beautiful of ;
Gods vast spiritual laws. | must ta
i plain. I've never had a son, Howar
Ever since l was young mau some
In me has been screamin' out fer +
therhood, tellin' me that to be a faith
was the holiest, highest height IN;
kin reach OH earth. Some'n else
longs to the law o fatherhood, an 1l
!: is sufferin' through love o the chi
I've had experiences of many sorts
!: my life. but right now, my boy, low
! you as do an gloryin' in yore beau
:; fui young manhood an chance to &C
: quer difficulties an as see you bow
an broken under this thing ! have
- realization of my immortality-a sort
IS grip on it-that | never had hefo
-