The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1922-05-04

sick, or anythlngv
YES. there is something wrong"
said harris, trying vainly to conceal
the bitterness in his voice. 'Beulah's
left us.
WHO, Beulah? l can hardly believe
that, Mr.. Harris. 1t was only last night
i was talking with her."
Well. she's gone. Left through the
night. We-well, tell you, George
we had little disagreement, but I'd
no notion she'd take it SO much to
heart. OF course, you know about the
trouble with Jim yesterday. Taking ev-
erything together-there won't be no
blowing today" Harris had said more
than he meant; he could feel the color
mounting into his hair, and the bad
English of his last words betrayed
subtle recklessness rather than care
lessness of speech.
Don't you believe a word oft" said
George Il know Jim, and know Beu-
lab, and IL ANYBODY else limited what
you've said you'd want to use that rifle
on Them Like enough Beulah's staying
somewhere in the neighborhood, and
she'll be back when she has time to
think 1t over
That proves you don't know Beu-
lah," said Allan. '.As for Jim, l was
never able to get below that smile,
and l saw more of him than you did,
George"
well, hope YOU find a way out.
said George sincerely. 1T would have
been like her to come over to our place,
but she isn't there Maybe you'll find
her at Morrison's."
That's possible" said Harris. We'll
go over there, anyway
But the MOrrisons knew no more of
Beulah's whereabouts than did George,
and inquiry at other houses in the
neighborhood was equally futile. Har-
ris shrank from carrying his search
into the town, as he dreaded the pub
,rclty that would he attached to it. But
as the day wore on and the search con-
tinued fruitlessly he finally found him
SET at .plainville. Ii Beulah and Jim
we're really married the Presbyterian
ainister would know something Of the
matter, and Rev. Andrew Guthrie was
a man of sense and discernment.
Mr. Guthrie received his guest cor
dially, albeit with some wonderment
as to which member of the family
might be sick, but delicacy forbade a
direct question. Now, i'll agricultural
communities it is something Of an Of
Tense to approach any matter Of i'm
| portance by frontal attack. There
| must he the due amount of verbal skir-
| nishing, accommodating and outflank-
ing before the main purpose is re-
yealed. Consequently, Harris, for all
| his torture of suspense, spent some
| minutes i'm discussion of the weather,
the crops, and the prospect of labor
| shortage In harvest.
They're all well at home, hope,
said Mr.. Guthrie at length, feeling
that the custom Of the community had
| been sufficiently honOred.
Yes. all that's there" said Harris.
| All that's there. didn't know that
any Of Your folks were away. Perhaps
Mrs. Harris is down East! I'm sure
u summer would be a delight to her
and, Of course, MIR. Harris, you are
able to crafty yourself in these little
matters now"
/ Harris received these remarks with
i a mixture of feelings The ministers
i referenc to his financial standing car
ried with 1t certain qualification, bul
+ 1t cOiisorted poorly with his recent
conversations with his wife and witt
his present mission.
And Beulah," continued the minis
ter, conscious that his first shot hat
gone wild. She's a fine young woman
now. see her III church occasionally
In fact, / was speaking with Mrs. Bur
ton, the choir leader, day or SO ago
and Beulall's name was mentioned be
tween u.s.
1t was about Beulah | came to sex
YOU, said Mr.. Harris, with ayerte,
eyes, Then in a few words he gave hi
version of what he knew and what b
suspected.
II fear / can add nothing to your In
formation" said Mr.. Guthrie. THE,
.aven't been here. and, as. you say. i
;senlaii contemplated marriage, / thin
she would have called on me. Trayers
too 1 knew a little and thought hir
a decent chap. But we must find th
grit and talk this quietly over with hei
Is there any place in town she woul
lie likely to 60. to? What about Mrs
Goodies boarding house? i will jus
call up on the telephone / can max
inquiry without the necessity Of an
explanations"
Inquiry at the house Of Mrs. Good
: brought a strong ray of light out Q
the darkness. Beulah had been Their
during the morning and had explaine
lat she was leaving on the west b0un
/: train, which even now was thrummin
1t the station. On learning this, will
out a word Harris sprang into the blu,
! gy, while Allan brought sharp CT
Of the whip across the spirited horses
! They reached the railway station hal
a minute too late: the train was a
ready pulling out, and as Harris eye
n followed 1t In anger and vexation the
! plainly saw Jim Travers swing lithel
3isto the rear platform.
With an oath the farmer reached IL
his rifle, but Allan wrenched It frol
lis hands before any onlookers note
ion. Don't be q fool" he VIII!
! percd, and started the horses homeward.
tCosttsxed ~ nest Uesks Bosnsr.l