Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-05-20

Nature had intended Suze Ann to be
n robber queen or gypsy princess.
She hated most people. especially her
father and grandmother, because they
had beaten her in her defenseless child
hood; and she had a good memory. Not
one kindness did she ever forget-no!
not one wrong. She had 'learned
nothing and forgotten nothing" There
was blind tumult in her mind. Be
yond Sinkemsank stretched vast plain
of conjecture, in the darkness of which
her poor imagination CROPPED and STUN
bled.
She grew among these people as a
palmetto springs on the bare side of a
pine-hll.
Spanish Jack pushed back his chair
from the table. and stretched himself
like tiger after feeding. Then he
sauntered to the fire, and drove his
spurred and booted heel into the smol-
dering log to quicken the flames.
A shutting of footsteps was heard
outside, and Eunice and William Gum
entered. They were the children of a
local dignitary known as "Poorhouse
CHM" William was not Unlocking
except that his eyes and hair were too
light for his sunburnt face, and Eunice
man, rather loosely built, with prom
inent blue eyes and her shining dark
hair tucked up with gilt comb.
She betrayed simpering conscious
ness of Spanish Jacks presence. as she
explained her errand: "Aunt Lissy,
NAV say will you loan her your combin'-
cyards-say she II bring EN- back. Say
when you want 'em agin."
"Dunno's keer to loan 'em, but
well, | reckon" said Mrs. Milestone
ungracously, acknowledging William S
salutation by sort of growl.
This cold reception seemed to embar-
rass William, and he backed hastily to-
ward chair with three legs, and trying
to sit in it failed signally.
IL should a thought Willyim, Mrs.
MILESTONE remarked severely; you'd
"a suspici'nd that air cheer hain't ben
sot on this ten years.
Spanish Jacks bold and wandering
glance had fixed itself upon the vulgar
prettiness of Eunce's face. He sat down
beside her. 1t was his fancy of the mo-
ment 10 devil Sue Ann" as he ex-
pressed it to himself, just as he would
have delighted in tormeIting chained
and ferocious dog to the limit of mad
ness.
Sue Ann, while this was going on,
sat in the chimney corner with her
arms sung around her knees and her
brows depressed. Eunice was another
of her hatreds. AS children they had
quarreled and fought, always to Eu-
nice's discontinue.
Sue Ann was slow moving body,
but circumstances acted strongly upon
her. The f>rce of inertia might have
made her dangerous.
.Come long. Sissy" remarked Will
liam, rising slowly. Hits gittin'
nightr' Spanish Jack followed them
out of doors.
"Well. got the guards" said Eunice.
Didn't suppose l would. neither. I'm
nightly skeered of old Aunt Lissy.
'oman that had sore foot, n Lissy she
took hotter it, n the foot came right
off in her han Glare to gracious!
they do say that"
you better not let her get hotter
your'n" suggested Spanish Jack.
Hits little 'nough. ready.
go 'wayv' remarked Eunice, coyly.
'Suze Ann, don't you forgit to fetch
that pail o. water fore night said her
grandmother, and Sue Ann sullenly
snatched up the pail from the corner,
and went out. Spanish Jack was lean
ing by the bars that served for a gate,
and she brushed past him.
where you goin'?" he demanded,
catching at her arm.
Mind out!' she cried, freeing her.
self violently.
"WeIl, / reckon I'll 60 with you, any
how"
She said nothing, and presently he
remarked. "Eunice Ginn's a mighty
pooty gal"
Sue Ann remained silent.
"Don't you think sop
mo, l don't she replied slowly.
"Ha, ha! and he laughed deep
chested laugh of amusement. Then, as
they walked down the billy pathway he
put his arm around her.
$50 way to Eunice Ginn," she said,
in muffied voice. as she struggled to
break away from him.
IL reckon m little stronger'n you
are-hey, Sue Amp"
'Let loose! you don't keer for me, ~
she cried.
He laughed still louder, and pressed
her dusky head down upon his shoulder
with one powerful hand.
IL keer a heap for you," he asserted.
mo, you don't she cried, with an
guish in her eyes.
"Ain't / telln' you sop
"Yes,yes with restless movement,
"but not the same as me. Folks is diff
ferent.
That's so. might take a turn N
set up to Eunice CHM. Where'd you
be then-heyp"
The. slumberous light in her eyes
broke into sudden fire.
"You to talk o. goin' off to any other
gal when there's that tween us; when
I've got that secret o. your'n! Remem-
berlin the only one that knows it."
How the old story repeats itself! This
was the same wild cutlery of the scorn-
ed and forsaken Medea; of her "mar-
rtage solemnized in blood"
II amt skeered you'll tell" he re-
torted.
I'D kill you," Sue Ann went on,
slowly. I'D rather-Td rather--than
let any other gal have YOU"
Il b'lieve you would, you darn little
wild cat!'' he said. admiringly. you're
the spunkies' thingr' and he bestowed
n rough caress upon her. You're
the only gal ever knew that wasn't a
sap-head" t
''Well. femme git the water now"
said Sue Ann, treasured and suddenly
relapsing into commonplaces-
dnnft Mitch rocka In IL Yoil'ra maxi