New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-02
MISS DELY'S TWO TYRANTS.

1t was an are. of soft turf few yards square,
worn by footpaths lying in basin between
two hills The branch ran through it, and
kept the grass green and tender. and the sprnS
which dubbed cold and delicious at the foot
~ q sIan. planetree. contributed its larGess TO
this end A little square of wet earth just be-
low the spring was almost constantly marked
by hoof prints.
An expert rider. swinging downward from his
seat could easily grasp the long handled gourd
that hung from the trees brown bole and We
fresh himself and his horse at the same time.
Delv had spread the long breadths of cotton
sheetlng which had just come from her LOOM
on the grass to bleach. and seemed now TO be
studying the footprints Her eyes wandered
from them to the farmhouse on the hill. ana
again to the mountain which lifted It's blue
shoulder above the crest of the nearest hill.
ct do pintedly seem like ma gifts wusser and
wusser the hull time. l amt he'd a mite OF
peace all summer" said DEFY addressing the
footprints
"Why she should suspicion at them ar hoof-
marks war made by Alec Penlan's horse l
cavn't surmise An Bob Wilson a-comin' reg
lar an the license got an everything
"Oh. Miss DEFY Miss DEFY called soft
drawing voice
DEFY faced quickly around.
That you. Bud Harris? What yer want
Don't boiler thet-a-wayr' with a furtive glance
at the house.
She looked at the boy calmly as If he had
been a post And yet he was picture. lie
set all hygienic theories at defiance. Corn
bread and bacon soddon biscuit and butter
milk. stewed beans plentifvlly seasoned with
bacon made the menu by which Bud had come
10 such a glory of satiny. olive skin clear eyes
and sturdy growth.
What yer WANT" repeated Miss DEFY. I'M
perturbably.
Bud was only eight and DEFY was twenty
nine.
Hes over yon-back O the springhouse-
watin' ter see yer" said Bud, breathlessly.
Looks Of pleasure and fright chased each
other over Miss Dely's face.
You go along, Bud, an don't tell NOBODY!
she said.
Bud giggled. caught his breath and then
gazed soberly after Miss DEFY who started at
once for the springhouse.
Them two folks is in love" thought Bud.
reasoning correctly as even eight years ora
can reason on this question.
But eff she's in love wi Alec. what for air
she agon' to marry Bob Wilson," pursued
Bud
This puzzled him. and Mrs. Townshend's big
flock Of guineas Just then flowing like
n gray wave up the hollow and invited a fusil-
lade Of pebbles.
Miss DEFY opened the door Of the spring
house and went in.
1t was clean and sweet and cool, and per-
vaded by a soft gloom, only broken by the
streaks of light that marked where the chinK-
ing had fallen from between the logs The
stone floor was damp and messy. Jars OF milk
and butter stood in a deep trough along one
side. and the water went purling between
them dripped from the trough into channel
and went gurgling off into the branch
Miss Delv bent her face TO the widest crevice
between the logs.
"What YOU want. Aec?" 1t was a shaggy head
that approached hers and a pair Of Keen blue
ewes. trimmed by blond brows. already trife
frosted that were framed IN by the edges OF the
logs
Jest ter see yer, DEFY" was the reply, in softeet
tones "Jest ter see yes once't more l cayn't
come ter the weddn'-yer couldn't expect that
why not?" interrupted DEFY.
"she axes me why" groaned Alec. Come out
hyar. DEFY 1t amt comfable ter talk Wi them
logs atween US"
81 cayn't" answered DEFY. MA II see me.
And I don't reckon hits any use talkin
Hits the las time pleaded Alec. when
give yer UP ter Bob WILSON,
most angrly. Yer couldn't cause yer never
bed me-
AN why didn't 7 hev yer?' demanded Alec
p,teously II lowed 'twere all settled. only we
he'd ter brek IL ter yer ma gradooal-Miss Town
shends so sensitive. Oh. DEFY. come out hyar.
II ain. ergoin' ter You war eleven year break
IN 1t an Bob Wilson only TUX two months" said
Miss DEFY the wild apple tint in her cheeks grow
ing roster
"An' 1t never war all settled, nohow. Ye he'd yer
chance an we didn't TEX It. dunno why. IF you
RELY he'd cared for
"Ef he'd cared fer ye. said Alec Don't yer
know / cared fer YEP
He gave her a look Of such intense affection
that she grew pale and felt Ike fainting. Then
Ike the man he was. he lost his advantage by be-
ginning to tramp up and down the narrow space
in the rear OF the spring house. grooming and
gesticulating.
II wish Id d fit him. l VOW wish I'd III
him.
DEFY watched him. at first curously and. nc
doubt with a certain pleasure. He had had his
chance and had not improved It, and now he was
being punished for 1t. E. kind OF poetic justice
which appeals to souls of all grades.
F2ut as the scene went on it became amusing
Miss DEFY began to giggle; then as the hysterca
imnulse grew stronger she laughed with all hel
might.
"Dely. Delyr cried Alec. horrihed Are the
heart OF woman so hard? l lowed ye al'ays knew
at loved yer ever sence we went ter schuie ter
xether over yon" sobbed Alec, in rush OF emo
tion that attested his absolute sincerity
Miss Dely's mood changed. She began 10 cGI
heartbrokenly
whats the use Ell tellln' on 1t now sh'
sobbed.
Rig Alec Penland grew weak as a baby
"Dely. II you won't come out hyar I'm er comm
IN thar" he cried. and In another minute ne nae
her In his strong arms.
II was only for a secoud however. DEFY s soo'
stopped suddenly She struggled to get free.
"Atnt yer 'shamcd, Alec Penlan, an me mos