The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-07-26

THE FRONT SEAT.
One could not determine where the
real joined forces with the imagination.
Somewhere between the two the real
became invisible and the Invisible
seemed almost real. There wasn't a
thought of fear, but a half formed wish
that something would happen to add
variety to this throbbing, undulating
sensation. without particular motion
and with nothing to see. Where we
were or what we were doing not one
of our senses could tell. We were only
ethereal spots in the midst of an in
finite nowhere, at one end Of which lay
my dying horse and at the other the
friend was trying to save.
knew in half dazed way we were
rushing ahead at speed that was ter
rifle, but felt impatient that 1t was not
greater still. The breath OF the whirl-
wind might have been tame to my
quivering, overwrought nerves. Shut
out Of the material world by this cloud
wall, / longed for thrill Of expectant
danger to break up the depressing sense
of isolation. It wasn't the call for haste
SO much as the call of impattence-a
mind taken entirely out of its realm Of
accustomed comparisons and clamoring
| for sensation rather than accomplish
! ment.
Such were some Of my chaotic Inn
pressions ween suddenly became con-
scious of objects about me and realized
that we were slowing down. The green
gray ribbons took on spotted aspect.
| Which gradually expanded into some Of
natures own pattern, and was con-
scious of sudden relief to get back
/ into the world again. The gray marble
pavement shook out into the swift fly
ing belt Of the morning, then gradually
came to a stop in the midst OF noun
tains, trees and human forms and a
few other things.
Jack" came feminine scream from
the front seat Of our vehicle. Then l
noticed for the first time my friend In
the midst of the group of men, still on
his feet, but with telltale rope dan
Cling from a limb directly over his head.
We carried him back with Us pres
emily, seated considerably on the back
seat beside the feminine voice, while
the mayor and /, as beftted our official
rank. rode in front. Thus We proceed
ed back toward Halseyville, attended
on either side for some distance, not by
the green gray ribbons Of a short half
hour before nor even by the shapes OF
my morning fancy. but by good,
stout guard of armed and penitent
men. now anxious to do homage to the
man they meant to have slain In the
name Of the law. In little real haste
and good b:t of spite we hit up theiI
gait quite briskly ere they finally part
ed company with us after many a good
IL wish and shake of Jacks hand, theT
away like the wind for Halseyville.
Faster and faster over the road tina
Corenca had galloped SO well till tn
ribbons swung up to their old plac'
again and cut off our view OF tn
plains, on past where the .avenger
that morning had thought they woul'
stop me and while getting their lcsso'
. in thoroughbred temper lost just tn
small margin Of time that saved Jac
. until our return, or splash thr0ug
, the ford where my horse slaked he
thirst just before rushing on to he
, death, on past where ! held up to res
and to feed her-a brief rest it prove
. and the last she was ever to have-o
( past where she fell and doubtless mo-
made up her part in the greenish gra
! ribbon which unrolled beside us. The
E we rode into Halseyville and foun
some Unusual excitement ahead. whel
- group Of rough men were attemptin
0 to corral a game little mare who's
: speed, they declared, was as swift
5 the wind and who still held the devil
I nwn temper.