The Bossier banner., 1922-06-29

the force couIu not prevent momen-
tary turning of the head.
"Tve badly hurt man here" he
said, "a man who win need your hos
pitality and care for some days. There
was shooting up the valley last night.
His father is here. too, unhurt physi-
cally. but on the verge Of collapse, If !
am not mistaken"
1--WE will bring both Of them In at
once" said Arthurs. "Beulah, will you
call Lillian. and your mother. too? They
may be needed. But who is the third?"
he continued, turning to Grey.
"A prisoner. 1t seems the older man
overpowered him. Not let US get this
poor fellow in"
The policeman beckoned and Harris
drove the buggy up to the door. Ar
thurs glanced at him with casual
"Good morning." but the next instant
his eyes were riveted on the visitor.
"John Harris r. he exclaimed. taking a
great stride forward and extending his
long arm. Man. John. I'm glad to
see you, but not in these troubles"
Harris took his hand in silent
clasp. and there was warmth In 1t
that set his heart beating as it had
not for years. Sits hard, Fred" he
managed to say In dry voice, ''but
it's good to have you BY"
Arthurs bent over Allan. who was
half sitting. half lying. in the buggy.
His face was sapped and gray in the
growing light. Tenderly the three men
lifted him out. "Take him straight up
stairs" said Arthurs. "It will save
moving him again" Both spare rooms
in the house were occupied, but Ar
thurs led the way into Beulah's, and
they laid the wounded boy on the
white bed.
Arthurs heard Beulah in the hall.
"Take off his clothes, Grey" he said,
and turned to the doorway. where's
your mother, Beulah?" he asked In a
low voice. closing the bed room door
behind him.
Dressing" The girl looked in his
face. and drew back with little cry.
"What's the matter, Uncle Fred?
What's wrong?"
"A friend Of mine has been hurt.
and an old friend Of your mothers.
She must not see him just now. You
will arrange that?'
"Yes But I must see him must
help"
Beulah hurried to the room where
her mother was rapidly dressing. "A
man has been hurt, mother" she said.
with suppressed excitement. 1--WE need
hot water. WIN you start fire in the
range"
Mary Harris mistook Beulah's emo
tion for natural sympathy over suf-
| fering creature. and hurried to the
kitchen. Mrs. Arthurs was whispering
with her husband in the hall. but a
moment later joined Mary at the range.
Then Beulah entered the room. The
policeman was speaking to Arthurs,
Il must so into town now with my
prisoner" hewas saying. II will send
/ out doctor at once. and In the mean.
time know you will do everything
| possible"
Beulah turned her eyes to the bed
] A man was lying there, and an old
man was sitting beside 1t. At the Sec
| ond glance she recognized him. but In
an instant she had herself under con-
/ troll. She walked with steady steI
to the bed and looked for a full min.
ute In her brothers face. Then she
looked at her father.
''What have you done to him?'' she
said.
He threw out his hand feebly. "You
do we'll to ask me that" he said. u
take all the blame" he raised hi,
face slowly until his eyes met hers
They were not the eyes she had known
They were the eyes Of man who had
been crushed. who had been powdered
between the wheels of fate. The old
masrerful quality. the old indomitable
will that stirred her anger and admira
tion were gone, and in their place were
/ Goals of sorrow and ashes of defeat
For moment she held back; then
with. arms outstretched. she fell upon
her fathers breast.
And then he felt his strength return
He drew her to him as all that re