The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-17

and of beautiful women. She was lean
ing back with her eyes half closed, and
through her lashes l saw the playing of
fire like the lightning that flashes be-
hind summers fringy cloud. Tell
me MORE" she said when had stopped
to gaze In rapturous silence upon her.
l would have told her more, but sud
denly glancing at the sun, she ex-
claimed: "We must go. The men will
be back soon."
/ understood her; she was afraid that
her father might see her alone with me.
And / wondered that she had not a
similar fear with regard to her mother.
She must have read my thoughts, for
, she said: Mother never scolds me.
Father does sometimes One time on
the roadside stopped and talked to n
man; l didn't want to stop, but he
asked me to wait moment and did,
for he was kind man. But father
scolded me-"
you didn't fall in love with the man,
did you?" / eagerly asked.
She laughed at me. II wouldn't know
how to do that" she said.
But you could be easily taught. I
could teach YOU"
She pouted at me and ran back to
the camp. That night she sat just
across the fire from me. Her father
stood near her and talked horse with a
young fellow who hung mysteriously
about In the shadow. Several times l
spoke to the girl, but she simply nodded
and smiled at me. Ham Tish began to
walk up and down, still talking to the
man In the shadow. leaned over at
the fire to rake coal upon my pipe.
and when looked up. saw Ham Tish
pointing toward tent. The girl got up
and slowly walked away. And Ham
Tish ceased talking to the man In the
shadow. ! lay down under the bush.
but l saw no stars, for the sky was
black. But heard the ripping Of the
creek. 1t was just daylight. for the
newly kindled fires were still red
against the shadow that lay along the
woods. when Ham Tish called me.
Il want you to eat with me this
morning." he said as ] approached.
'iSit down over there" he added, point
ing to dog. l sat down and he con-
tinued: "Would you like to live with
us?'
II should be delightedw I exclaimed.
But wouldn't you get tired roaming
about?"
Never, I should always find 1t a
pleasure"
But would you be willing to come
under my authority"
"Yes; would be willing to sign any
sort of agreement"
He looked hard at me. '1Then you
haven't many ties to hold you to the
house"
"If had would break them"
He grunted and was silent. While we
were eating. boy led two horses for
ward. II want you to take ride with
me-" said Ham Tish. "With your eye
for the beautiful I want you to help
me select n place for new camp.
I am afraid OF malaria here. VIII you
so with me?''
Most gladly"
There's your horse"
I mounted one horse and Ham Tish
the other. Just as we were turning
away / heard voice. and, looking
back, ! saw Lees standing on the steps
Of wagon. She stood drawing back
a red curtain and the sun, just rising,
threw his first rays over her.
"Will you be gone long?" she asked.
And without waiting for Ham Tish
to answer I made bold to say: mo,
not long"
Along the grass-grown road we pur-
sued our way in silence. We turned to
the left into the thick woods. AN hour
passed. Here is a beautiful place."
said.
Yes" Ham Tish answered. ''but It u
malarious."
The woods became thicker, wild a.
an unexpiored forest. ''HerG3 where
we stop" said Ham Tish. '0Sk pvn."
placer"
"Yes. get down."
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