The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-04-23
CHAPTER x.-continued.

we CdIl l.
"a marked check is as good as bills,
the banker argued, "and much easie
TO carry, not to speak of being safer.
he added, as an afterthought. "Trav
you is a sort of defiance of natural law
Especially with the country full Of
strangers. as 1t is at present" Tht
banker looked from the powerful frame
iof the farmer to the equally powerful
frame of the farmers son, and his eye
fell on the gun which the latter carried
under his arm. But guess" he con
'tinued with laugh, "there isn't much
danger on that score"
"Nothin' t speak Of" said Harris
sand while don't want t break your
bank, do want t get that money. and
Z get IL in bills, or par; of 1t In gold
an silver would do. The fact is,
don't mind tellin' you, I've a deal on,
AN I've undertaken t put up this mon
iey I'm caSh--tOnight."
A young man emerged from some
where and locked the front door of the
bank.
SITS closing time now" said the
teller, addressing the manager. "We
have enough cash on hand TO pay this
gentleman. and we can wire for more
bills. which will reach us in time for
tomOrrOw's business"
"Pay 1t, then" said the manager.
Mr.. Harris has a right to his money
In that form If he wants it. But" he
added. turning to Harris, I'D advise
you to keep both eyes on 1t until your
transaction is completed"
The counting of the money was a
bigger task than either Harris or Allan
had thought, but at last it was COM
pleted, and they were ready for the
road. The banker looked after their
buggy as it faded out of sight I'D the
river road.
Hang me if like that 7" he said to
himself.
The long drive up the valley liz the
warm August afternoon was an expert
ence for the soul of painter or poet.
Even John and Allan Harris. schooled
as they were in the religion of ma
terial things. felt something within
them responding TO the air, and the
sunlight. and the dark green ranks of
trees. and the sound of rushing water
and the purple-blue mountains heaving
and recedng before them.
Darkness settled about them. One
or two stars came out. The pOplars
took on the color of the spruce; the
river fretted more noisily in It's rocky
channel. A thin ribbon of cloud Law
across the mountains. and breeze of
wonderful mellowness came Iown
through the passes.
Al length, just as they were thinking
OF pitching camp for the night, Allan
espied deserted cabin I'm a cluster of
trees by the side of the road. They
turned into the wood and unhitched the
horses 4
match revealed lantern hanging
on the wall, and few cooking utensils. /
safe from all marauders under the un-
written law of the new land
The two men first made their horses |
comfortable, and then cooked some |
supper on a little fire at the door of |
the shack. Harris was tired, so they /
cleared space in the corner farthest
IRON the door, and spread their blan-
vets there. Harris lay down to rest,
The precious bag of money by his side.
You might as well drop off for
nap Allan suggested. "They must
nave been delayed. and may not make
U tonight at all. We're here for the
night. and you may as well rest If you
can. won't turn in myself until you
waken."
4 believe I'll do as you say" his ia
.her agreed. Keep keen ear an
oon't leave the building without wakin'
me-"
Aiian looked out at different times
'F Gardiner and R.les. but there
seemed no sound ia all the world save
tne rushing of water. A cold draught
eept along the floor. He farcied
sn father had fallen into a nap. Il,
me night chill deepened and at length
A"an hung blanket as best he could
:. sss the open door. His gun rave
sense of companionship. and he
W. II In his hands and sat down be- {
Is ms father. :. 1t was very lean {
graceful in his fingers.
I
WINE the banker worked I'm his gar !
10 the long August evening the |
.asot OF the two men with a bag full q
money Kept recurring and recurring
~ mind. and smothering the natural a
~ ne felt In his Astounding cab n
True, II was no business of his Y
suu ne could not feel entirely at 4
AS h. bent over his :. no d
s 10 hoofs clatter in the street and
up. saw the erect form of Ser. Ii
Grey on his well-groomed gov. s
nent horse. At signal from tho II
er the policeman drew up beside II
talked In low voices Cor ten 81
1T may be n wiId-oooso II
- said the sergeant at last. "but a
- o''h try" Half an hour ter n
o-.su was swinging In his long +,
- s'ride up the road by the wind Il
CHAPTER xi. r,