The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1922-03-30

for there was heavy weight at his
heart as he thought Of the little wife
alone with the responsibilities Of the
farm. : That she would be faith
ful to every responsibility he knew
beyond question. Bur he was
not quite satisfied. A strange moodi-
ness had come over her. and even with
him al home she had at times given
way to fits Of downheartedness which
seemed altogether alien to her nature.
Ten days later he retraced his
course In the teeth Of binding bliz-
card. A dozen times he had been lost
in the last IS hours, but he had devel-
oped the prairie dwellers sense OF d.
rection. and had always been able
again to locate the trail. The Ar
thurs would have detained him, al
most by force, but the thought Of
pale, patient face, wrung with an ag-
ony Of anxiety not for itself, made him
adamant In his resolve to 60 home at
whatever cost. The roads were almost
impossible; he left his lumber at Ar
thurs. but carried with him his win
dow. few boards for door, and
little bundle Of dry goods. Everything
else had gone by the way surrendered
in exchange for food and shelter for
himself and horses.
It was not dreadfully cold. but the
sky seemed only vast turmoil OF
snow. Darkness came down very ear
", but at last Harris began to recog-
nize familiar landmarks close by the
trail. and just as night was settling
m he drew into the partial shelter of
the bench on the bank Of the coulee.
The horses pulled on their reins per
sistentiy for the stable, but Harris
forced them up to the house. f. 3
loud shout was whipped away by the
wind and strangled In moment, so
he climbed stiffly from the wagon and
pulled with numbed hands at the
double thickness Of carpet that did
service for door. He fancied he
heard sound. but could be sure Of
nothing; he called her name again
and again. but could distinguish no
answer. But at last the fastenings
which help the carpet gave way, and
he half walked, half fell, into the
house.
The lantern burned dimly. but it
was not at the lantern he looked. In
the farthest corner. scarcely visible In
the feeble light, stood his wife. and ut
her shoulder was the gun. trained
steadily upon him.
MARY Mary. don't you know me?"
he cried.
She dropped her weapon to the floor.
where It went OF, harmlessly burying
its charge In the sod wall.
'aThank God. oh. thank Godl' she
exclaimed.
He threw or his wet overcoat and
rushed to her side. But she sat silent
on the bed. staring absently at. the
light dickering uncertainty in the wind
from the open door.
He hastily rearranged the carpet.
then, returning to her, he took her
hands In his and rubbed them brfskly.
But she still stared vaguely at the
light.
Suddenly thought came to him.
He rushed outside, to find that the
horses, Of their own accord. had taken
shelter beside the stable Here from
the wagon he drew little bundle and
hurried back to the house.
She was sitting where he left her,
shivering slightly and watching the
play Of the light as it flickered up and
down the wall. He tore the package
open and spread its contents before
her.
At first she took no notice. but
gradually her eyes found the outline Of
soft cloth and dainty feminine, de-
vices. With great Joy he watched
the color returning as her set face re-
Taxed in smile Of inaffable tender
ness. She raised her face to his and
slipped her arms about his neck, and
he knew that for the moment he had
snatched, her out Of the valley OF the
shadow.
Harris made no more attempts to
market his wheat that winter. His
wife's health now became his first con-
sideration. but. even had there been
no such problem. experience had
shown that nothing was to be gained
BY making the long and expensive trip
to Emerson. The cost Of subsistence
Of man and team on the way devoured
all the proceeds OF the wheat; indeed.
there were instances on record in the
settlement where men who attempted
such trips during the winter actually
came back poorer than they left, while
those who could show gain Of a bag
Of sugar. a sack of flour. or box Of
groceries were considered fortunate
indeed.
"What shall we eat?' said Harris to
his wife. when, after full discussion,
It was decided that no more grain
could be marketed until spring.
''Oh. We shall not suffer-" was her
calm reply. I'VE have over 500 bush-
els Of wheat"
But we can't eat wheat! I"
I'm not SO sure OF that. heard
Mr. McCrao saw ff0f lofS ~ fofnflio~s