The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1921-01-06
CHAPTER VII.
cAss FENDRIcK MAKES A CALL

MHM experimenting the stable
ENN boy as he loOsened the dirt
around the roots of some Of
the bushes. She had returned
to the Circle G for a day or two to give
some directions in the absence Of her
father. Buck and the other riders
came to her for orders and took them
without contempt. She knew the cattle
business, and they knew she knew it..
10 a man they We're proud OF her, Of her
spirit, her energy, and her good looks.
The rider who cantered up to the
fence, seeing her in her well-hung
corduroy skirt, her close-fitting blouse,
and the brOad-rimmed straw hat that
shielded her dark head from the sun,
appreciated the fitness Of her sur
r0undings. She. too, was flower Of
the desert, delicately fashioned, yet
vital with the bloom Of health.
At the chatter of hoofs she looked
up from the bush she was trimming
and at once rose to her feet. Beneath
their long lashes her eyes grew dark
and hard. For the man who had
drawn to a halt was Cass Fendrick.'
From the pocket of his shirt he drew
crumpled piece of stained linen.
i've brought back your handher-
chief, Miss Cullison.n
What have you done with my
fathers''
He nodded toward the Mexican boy
and Kate dismissed the lad. When he
had gone she asekd her question again
in exactly the same words.
He swung from the horse and threw
the rein to the ground Then, saunter-
| ing to the gate. he let himself in.
You've surely got a nice pOsy gar
den here. Didn't know there was one
| like it in all s,lnbaked Arizona"
She stood rigid. Her unfaltering
eyes, sloe-black in the pale face, never
lifted from him.
l want You to tell me what You
have done with my father"
| He laughed a little and looked at
| her with eyes that narrowed like those
of cat baskilig In the sun. He had
something the look of the larger mem
bers of the cat fanily-the soft. long
tread. the compact ripping muscles
\ OF tame panther, and with these the
| threat that always lies behind its
| sleepy wariness
You're a young lady of one idea.
Il
Y. Not the least use. I've talked with
Mrs. Wylie."
! He raised his eyebrows. Do / know
the lady,
!" She will know you. That is more
! to the point"
. Did she say she knew mel? he
purred.
!. She will say it IN court-if it ever
L a., I :
" Just what will she say, if you
/ please?
/ Kate told him in four sentences with
a stinging directness that was the ont
standing note Of her. that and a fine
self-forgetful courage.
!" Is that all! Comes to this then,
that she says heard her scream, ran
in, and saved your fathers life. Is
that a peliitentiary offense?"
!. You helped the William take his
body into the cellar. You plotted with
him to hold father prisoner there
9 Says that does she--that she over
heard us plotting
.sOf course she did not overhear what
fyOu said. You took good care of that
But she knew you We're conspiring."
" Just naturally knew 1t without
overhearing," he derided. And Of
course If was in plot must have
been Johnny ON the-spot good deal OF
the time. Hung round there a-plenty
1 expect? y
/ He had touched ON the weak spot OF
Mrs. Wylie's testimony. The man wha
had saved Cullison'ss life. after a long
talk with Blackwell. had gone out OF
the Jack OF Hearts and had not re.
turned SO far us she knew. For her
former husband had sent her on an
errand just before. the prisoner was