The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1922-05-18

aYou'rs Not Going to Leave us, Moth
er. Are Your"
er. are your he said. "You wouldn't
do that?"
mot IL 1t could be helped. Allan
But. there is no help. Your father has
set his heart on more land, and more
work, and giving up this home. and !
might as well 60 first as last. More
and more he lie giving his love to. work
instead of to his family. Perhaps when
/ am away for while he'll come to
himself. That's our only hope"
The boy stood helpless in this con-
Fiction. He knew something Of the
depth Of the nature Of his parents, and
he knew that beneath an undemonstra-
tive exterior they cherished in secret q
love propOrtionate to the strength OF
their character. But the long course
down which they had walked together
seemed now to be separating, through
neither will nor power of their own; It
was as though straight parallel lines
suddenly tfrned apart, and neither
lost its straightness in the turning.
So he comforted his mother with
such words as he could. Loyalty to-
his father forbade laying any OF the
blame on those shoulders, and to
blame his mother was unthinkable; so
with unconscious wisdom he spoke not
of blame at all.
"Of course, while we are away, why
| shouldn't You have vfsit?" he sai,i
/ "Here you have been chained down to
| this farm ever since can remember.
] and before And then, when get set
tied on my own homestead, you'll come
and keep house for me, won't your?
"You're sure you'll want mel" she
asked. greatly comforted by his mood.
aPerhaps you'll be getting your own
i housekeeper. too
mot while can have you.'' he an
swered. "You'll promise, won't y0u3
4 Nothing that has happened, or can
happen, will keep you from making
my home yours, will 1t? And when
Dad gets settled again, and gets all
these worries Off hts mind, then
things'ii he different, and you'll come,
even II he is ti1ere?" So
Eyes. I'll come. even il he is there.
II If you ask me-" She promised.
Harris did not come back that night.
A light rain came mp, and he accepted
the excuse to sleep at Riles' The
truth was. he feared for his resolution
Il 1t should be attacked by both his
wife and SON. Surrender now wpnid
be mere weakness, and weakness was
disgrace, and yet he feared for himself
Il put to the test again. So he stayed
at Rifles, and the two farmers spent
much Of the night over their plans. Il
had been decided that they were Il
leave within the next couple Of days
but Harris broke the news that nil
wife was going on a visit, and that ar
rangements would have to be made fol
the care OF the farm.
| Rites took the suggestion Of q few
days delay with poor grace.
Yes. an while you're chasing up m
down fer a housekeeper the Yankees
get all the homesteads. They're com
In in right now by the train lead
grabbin' up everythin' in sight. Wei
monkey round here till the summer,
oyer, an then go out an get sant
i farm, or something like, Couldn't you
I wife do her visitin' no other timew
i "Ill tell you. Riles,' said Harris
who had no desire to pursue tori,
which might lead him into deep water
"you 60 ahead ont and get the lay d
the land, and til follow ron within !,
week I'll do that. for sure. and II
stand part OF your expenses for goinl
ahead, seem you viii be kind q repre
sentin' me. Il
The last touch was stroke of dip40
macy. The suggestion that Harri
should pay part of his expenses swrp
away Riles' bad humor and lie agree,
Ito 60 on the date originally planned
| and get what he. called a hetle on u
easy money, while Harris completes
his arrangements at home.
He was to get "A bede on the ems
money" In q manner which Harris III
lie suspected.
II -
r6en Harris nnturned l,nne =.