The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-02-15

partly Que TO Ills cOnult1Ou. ONeECdmo
Collie's usual serenity. His invalidism
n1aguified the whole affair to absurd |
proportions.
Perhaps it was the intensity OF bis
gaze that caused Louise to glance up.
His expression startled her. His eyes
were burning. His face was unnat,l-
rally white. He met her glance, but
gave no sign Of recognition-a rude.
pess that he regretted even while he
manifested it.
Louise turned away proudly. calling
Winthrop's attention to huge garden
seat beneath the live oaks. I'VE have
dinner out there quite often," she said.
her eyes glowing. would you care to
rest awhile after your ride?"
"A jug of wine-a loaf Of bread -
he quoted.
But it isn't wilderness. And din
ner won't be ready for an hour yet
Don't you think a wilderness would
have been utterly stupid with his
thou beside him singing everlasting.
~? Now please don't say. 1t would
uep6QU Oh tue tuOu.
"Do you sing. Miss Lacharme7"
"a little
"Please, then, little. Then I'll an
swer your question"
II had rather not just now"
my answer would be the same In
either case This is living, after the
desert and its loneliness. discovered
one thing out there, however. myself.
It was surprise. My way back an
/ cestors must have been pirates"
Mine grew roses in southern
France"
II am glad they eventually came to
America" he said.
Are you SO fond OF candy. Mr.. Win.
throp?"
NO"
"Neither am ]"
"I'm glad they came, just the same
simply can't help It."
"Overland INV Mr.. Summers ~ doesn'
take life very seriously. does he?'
asked Louise.
"Not as seriously as life has takel
him at odd times"
"You brought Collie in your car
didn't your"
"Yes"
Hes much better?"
Eyes. But he's pretty shaky YET
He's little queer, In fact. AS W
came up the canyon lie asked me t
stop the car by the cliff near this end
that place where the sunlight come
through kind of notch in the west
: thought he was tired of the motion Q
the car, SO we stopped, and he lay bac
looking at the cliff. Pretty soon th
sun shot a long ray past US, and 1t fall
~ splattered gold on the canyon wal
. Then the shaft OF sunlight went ou
! 1t will shine again. lie said. as II
didn't know that Collie's u pretty sic
t man.
Later Winthrop and Louise Joine
e the others at the veranda. Louise e.
cuSed herself. She searched loI
d time before she found another ros
o This time it was Colombo bud. fu
red and beautiful. She stepped to Ce
e lies window. "Boy!' she called softl
It White and trembling, he stood In t
t long window looking down at h'
T. "Tm glad you are home again" 8
t. said
E He nodded and glanced away.
"Boy," she called again, "catch
d. And she tossed the rose. He caught
Is and pressed it to his lips.
&C Evening, placidly content with I
Z warm silence, departed lingeringly.
Boyar, the black pony, shook
head with a silvery jingling Of RI
chains. His sleek fanks glistened
ID the moonlight. Louise curbed h
10 gently with hand and voice as
Il stepped through the wide gateway
or the ranch.
TO At the edge Of the Old Meadow
at girl dismounted. allowing Boyar
IL Craze at will
k She climbed to the low rounded TO
her erstwhile throne Of dreams. whit
ee she sat with knees gathered to her
It her clasped hands. The pony paus
e, in his grazing to lift his head and lc
Ell at her with gently wondering eyes.
at The utter solitude of the place,
1t. above the viewless valley. allowed
he thought q horizon impossible at
r. Moonstone rancho. Alone she fa'
the grave question Of making an
lp- alterable choice Collie had asked
,p. to marry him. She had evaded dir
IT reply to his direct question. She kn
MI Of no good reason why she sho
It. marry him. She knew Of no BET
ice reason why she should not
We thought she was content with he
loved. She was, for the moment
d. "Got match, kid?'
w Louise raised her head. Some
ne was afoot OH the Old Meadow tt
ite She could hear the whisper Of dl
OH grasses against the boots Of the I
as another voice replied. "Sure! q
ch you are" And Louise knew that Ce
was one of the men
r.. About to call. she hesitated. stral
r. " curious as to who the other !
might be and why Collie and he sh'
foregather IN the Old Meadow at nj
-, "Never mind munbled the
. speaker. II thought wanted
smoke, but l don't. l want to
first-about the Rose Girl"
Louise tried to call out. but she
r.. interrupted by Overland's voice
~, two men had stopped at the lower
.hts OF the great rock. She could
them plainly. although she could
see them.
"Collie-we're busted. We're d
Chico. l amt said nothin' to Billy
He's got money anyway. This
pen only hits you and me-"