The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-01-31
lighted piece OF pinon wood at the fro and

llgRLeu q piece OF plnon wood at the firo and
went Off TO bed.
Notwithstanding Three Fingered Scotty's
designs, Barclay slept in safety. Early in the day
he announced his intention Of riding over to
noighboring Indian ruin and back, and then
setting out for Flagstaff. where he would re-
turn his horse and mule to their owner and
take the east bound express train the next
morning.
There's no use of your being in a hurry,
Mr.. Barclay said Wray. I'm sure YOU re
welcome to stay here as long as you like"
Thank you very much, returned Barclay,
"but as my mother and some friends are going
east on that train, shall have to go"
Barclay put spurs to his horse and rode off
to the Indian ruin. On his way back he was
Joined by Edith Wray mounted on tough
looking mustang.
II Should think that you would get lonely
out in this wild county, Barclay said, half
perfunctorily. He was thinking of the traces
of ancient Toltec civilization that lie had
! found in his search among the ruins.
well, yes: L do sometimes the girl said,
| looking wisttuily into his thoughtful face. 81
can't help it any, though; so what's the use?''
our father might sell some Of his cattle
barclay suggested, as one might demonstrate
proposition in Euclid, ''and send you east for a
! while.
Il did ask him to, but he wouldn't hear Of it.
He's rich enough to do it, ten times over, but
he didn't want me getting any city ways"
Yes, that is too often the way with parents.
They do not want their children to have any
privileges that they themselves did net enjoy
when young"
But that wasn't the way with pap He
had advantages, know, and he is real smart.
He don't talk like the people around here"
Don't he? ] hadn t noticed
Mann does though. She and Three Fingered
Scotty talk alike. It's queer, isn't it? And
there's another queer thing Mans and Pap's
eyes are black as black can be, and mine are
blue; did you ever notice."
Barclay shook himself as though waking
ru,,,, aJ,, To- Il 81
his eyebrows in involuntary surprise, as he no
ted the contour of her face, the poise of her
head, and the modelling OF her figure "les,'
he said. at length, seeing that an answer was
expected, 'Your eyes are blue"
a look of Yearning which had crept into the
girls tace unawares deepened into disappoint-
ment as Barclay spoke She felt instinctively
that his remark should, in some underlined way,
set at rest the doubt and vague groupings OF her
own mind. He was the accepted representa-
tive Of that great world hundreds of miles be-
yond the furthernost rim of eastern hills and
she felt that he could as by unrecognized in
Stlnct explain away the miSgiyingS and incon-
SiStencieS of her own unsatisfactory life. He
could tell why she had no tastes in common
with her mother and looked with distrust upon
the strange goings and comings of her father
He could make clear to her why she found no
pleasure in the society of the wives and daugh-
terS OF the casual settlers whom the Wrays
called their neighbors. He could do these
things which perhaps meant SO much for her.
and yet he merely said in an indifferent way
that her eyes were blue. Tie girl said no more,
but rode on home in silence.
After dinner Barclay saddled his horse and
pnt the pack on his mule. preparatory TO start
ing for Flagstaff.
You'll Sc sthege in goad TING for supper, ).
said "nS oul! gci Q good nights sleep,
toe before taking the ti3in.
Yes, retIrnc; Barclay. as he settled Linn
self in the saddle, "I'll do it easily. The only
thing. that annoys me is getting up in the
morning to catch the train
What time does the train leave Flagstaff"
asked Wray, III tone Of seeming Indifference
"At 10 oclock-iust at sunrise" barclay
looked around for Edith, and not seeing her,
bid goodbye to WTay and his wife. bid
yUur daughter goodbye for me-, he called ont
is iio rode away. At a turn in the road Bar
clay found the girl waiting for him on her
pony.
u thought I'd ride along piece with you, !"
She said. and without another word she turned
her ponys head and rode along by his side. Il
don't suppose you'll ever come back here
a@aill?"
20, thinl, So he returned, not noticing
the trace Of hesitation in her manner; WHY
/ ITS such a lonesome country; nobody here
that you'd care to talk to-
lie looked quickly at her but did not catch
the expression OF her averted face "YoaH
be here, suppose he said slowly.
Most likely. But I'D"
you'd like to 90 east? Well, you might
arrange it, after awhile"
Her moody face gave him a sudden tinge of
pity.
Inc to, and besides, ! couldn't leave man.
She wants me with her, and she's contented
where she is. I'll have to grow up and-and
die here
Don't be downhearted; something may
happen 10 let you 90 east
II don't see how. Nam wants to stay here,
and IN bound to stay with her. o, no; l
wouldn't leave her for the world"
Something Of this girls unselfsh sacrifice
touched Barclay like the cry of the distressed.
IF ever / can do anything: if YOU are ever in
a position to need help, viii you send to me?
| viii do my best. | wish that | had some
thing to give you THAT might remind you OF
me. Stay, here is ny watch 1t will keep you
company, as il has me for many a long day
Good bye
lie held out his hand. She took it, and
looked up for moment into his earnest face
Good bye she Whispered
Then he turned and rode away across the
dull gray plain. The girl watched his lessen
ing figure until tear trickled dawn her fresh
young cheek and fell upon her brown hand.
Then She, too, turned and rode slowly home
ward. What depths OF hidden possibilities lay
underneath the ripped surface Of their part
ing neither Inc nor she knew Or understood.
i'll
The daily ronjine Of household work went
on as usual that afternoon. Only once did Mrs
~ ray 1VAiP'tt'a VI iiSA ttttG AlLtl idNh VI
spirits.
Pears to me-" she said, you're not 50
peart this aft noon &c amt mopin', | hope,
specially when there's two likely young men 10
be here TO supper. JaclS'll be here, an Lasso
Mack, to say Hothin' o Three Fingered
Scotty"
They'll be here for supper" repeated the
girl, what for?'
Yer father asked them They're to hey
talk on business aTer supper
business, What business? Stock raisiug?"
~ dunno ] never asks yer father about his
affairs ! did oucG''-with rucful counte-
uce-"and ] never will again"
TEL me said the girl earnestly. catching
her mothers arn and looking into her face,
''Ehat j. this mysterious business that Pap -
always looking arcr? IT isn't stock raising Or
mining. and there iI't any other honest bust
ness around here that ] know Of
81 dunno returned the woman breaking
away from the girls grasp "He never tells
me his business. It's aa much as ] can do 20
keep the house loOliin' decent, and take keer
q til stock. II it want for me, that mau
wouidn have a critter Left inside year, he's
ao kcerles- OF en-
The gifl resumed her work III Las7o Mack
and jack Fncsnte come here to supper she
SAID at lcngth, lyon will have 70 wait on the
table lll go 20 bed sooner than see them.