The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-07-09

homespun garments. The clock had struck
the spell was past As she disappeared down
tho trail even the magic mirror. moved by tho
wind slipped from the tree top to the ground.
and became o piece OF common glass.
CHAPTER ".
The events of the day had produced a re-
markable impression on the facial aspect Of
the charcoal burning Farley. Extraordinary
processes Of thought, indicated by repeated
rubbing OF his forehead. had produced high
light in the middle and a corresponding deep
ening OF shadow at the sides. until il bore the
appearance OF q perfect sphere. 1t was this
forehead that confronted Fin reproachfully as
became a deceived comrade men8cingy as be-
came an outraged parent in the presence of a
third party and-a Postmaster!
Fine doin's this. yer recoivin clandeccnt
bundles and etters, eh ?" he began. Flip sent
one swift, whitening look OF contempt at the
Postmaster. who at once becoming invertebrate
and grovelling. mumbled that he must get
on " to the Crossing and rose to go. But the
old man. who had counted on his presence for
moral support. and was clearly beginning to
hate him for preclpitating this scone with his
daughter whom he feared. violently protested.
Sit down. can't YET Don't you see you're
witness 2" he screamed Historically.
1t was fatal suggestion Witness" re-
peated Flip. scornfully.
Yes witness! He gave ye lctters and
bundles"
Weren't they directed to me ?" asked Flip.
Yes" said the Postmaster. hesitatingly;
'' in course. yes"
DO you lay claim to them2" she said. turn
ing to her father.
No" responded the old man.
DO you 2" sharply. to the Postmaster.
No" he replied.
Then" said Flip. cooy III you're not
claimin 'em for yourself. and you hear father
say they amt his. reckon the less you have TO
say about 'em the better"
"Thar's suthin' in that" said the old man.
shamelessly abandoning the Postmaster
Then why don't she say who sent em. and
| what they are like" said the Postmaster. d" if
| there's nothin' In 1t p
Yes" echoed Dad. Flip. why don't your"
Without answering the direct question. Flip
turned upon her father.
Maybe you forget how you used to row and
tear round here because tramps and such like
| came to the ranch for suthin'. and gave il to
'em2 Maybe you'll quit tearin' round and
| letting yourself be made fool OF now by that
man. Just because one OF those tramps gets up
and sends us some presents back in return2"
| "'Twasnt me. Flip" said the old man. dep
recatingly. but glazing at the astonishod Post
master. "'Twasn't my dotn'. l allus said II
you cast your bread on the waters it would
| come back to you by return mail. The fact is.
the Govment is Gettin' too high handed Some
O. these bloated officials had better climb down
before next leckshen."
| Maybe" continued Flip to her father. with
out looking at their discounted visitor, "ye'd
better find ont whether one OF those officials
| comes up to this yer ranch to steal away a gal
about my own size. or to get points about
diamond making; reckon he don't travel
round to find out who writes all the letters that
| go through the Post Office"
The Postmaster had seemingly miscalculated
the old mans inhrm temper. and the daughters
skiful use of it. He was unprepared for Flp's
holiness and audacity and when he saw
that both barrels Of the accusation had taken
effect on the charcoal burner who was rising
with epileptic rage he fairly turned and fed.
The old man would have followed him with OBJ
| jurgation beyond the door but for the restrain
ing hand OF Flip.
Baffied and beaten. nevertheless Fate was not
wholly unkind to the retreating sutton. Near
the Gin and Ginger Woods he picked up a letter
which had fallen from Flip's pocket. He recog-
nized the writing, and did not scruple to read It,
1t was not love epistle-at least. not such one
as he would have written it did not give the ad-
dress nor the name OF the correspondent; but
uc lchd bilc WIN biCOby OSoo'
perhaps It's Just as well that you don't rig yourself
for the benet OF those dead beats the Crossing
any tramp that might hang round tho ranch Keep all
your style for when come. can't tell you when
it's mighty uncertain before the rainy season. But I'm
coming Don't go back on your promise about let
tin up on the tranps and being little more high toned
And don't you give 'em so much. It's true sent you
hats hoice. clean forgot all about the first, but
wouldn't have given ten dollar hat to niger woman
who had sick baby because had an extra hat I'd
have let that baby slide forgot to ask whether the
skirt is worn separately; must see that dressmaking
sharp about it. but think you want something on be.
sides jacket and skirt; least it looks like 1t up here,
don't THINK you could manage piano down there
without the old man knowing It, and rasin the devil
generally, Ipromised you ia let up him Mind you
keep all your promises to I'm glad you're getn on
with the six shooter TIN good fifteen yards
but II suhin that more'l forgot to say that
the track of your big brother It's three years
old track and he in Arizona The friend who told
didn't expAtiats much what he did there, but
reckon they hal high Old time II he's above the earth
m find him you bet The TsrbI bend and the southern
wood came all right-thry smelt like you Say, Flip, do
you remember the llSt-he very ldyt-thing that hap
, pensd when you said Goodbye" on tho trai Don't
let md that you've let anybody else kiss"
But here the virtuous indignation Of the Post
master found vent in an oath. He threw the
, letter away. He retained of it only two facts
Flip had brother who was missing she had q
lover. present the flesh.
q How much OF the substance OF this and pre-
yious letters Flip had conhded to her father
> cannot say II she suppressed anything 1t was
probably that which affected Lance's secre
alone and it WAS doubtful how much Of thai
she herself knew. In her own affairs she was
A frank without being communicative, and never
3 lost her shy obstinacy even with her father
4 Governing the old man az completely as shC
did she appeared most embarrassed when she
was most dominant; she had her own WAY
( J without lifting her voice or her eyes; sht