The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-11-15
custom.'s

against any thought he might have Of
closer intimacy with the family.
The judge left the room for mo
ment and came back with lighted
lamp and placed it on the claw legged
table in the center Of the room. He had
put on long dressing gown, faced with
crimson quilted silk, and now he drew
his great chair up before the fire and
stretched himself out in it.
"Come, Mr.. Holderman, I will let
you shake the pepper for me, and I'll
go down cellar and get some apples, "
Isabel looked at him with merry
twinkle in her eyes as she held the han
die toward him and then ran cat of the
room.
Clint grasped the handle of tho pop
per with the delight Of success flooding
his veins. Isabel had never before given
him reason to believe that she cared for
him that could compare with that look
Daylight would find him sitting right
there, but he would beat the judge
watch and gain the opportunity Of
speaking to her. It was a delightful
evening. The judge partook of the pop
corn and the conversation was more
than usually affable and entertaining.
i Isabel sat on the opposite side Of the
fireplace and crocheted ON blue wool
scarf. There were pink spots burning
her cheeks, and her eyes were very
sweet. The time passed on until the
noisy clock on the mantel clearly and
! f0rcibly announced the hour of 10.
1t had been comparatively easy this
far, but now was the time when Clint
usually went home.
The real contest was about to begin.
The judge showed his chair back to
the table, picked up a paper and began
to read.
From time to time he glanced over
the top of his paper at the two talking
before the fire, but still read on.
When the clock struck II, he threw
the paper down, pulled his chair back
to the fire and drew the young man into
an animated political discussion.
Isabel stirred about the room, correct
ly putting things in order for the night
It was nearing midnight. For the
last Is minutes the conversation had
begun to lag
There were cold minutes of complete
silence.
"Had you noticed that had traded
horses?" Clint asked in one painful
pause
"No have you?' Isabel asked, COM
ing forward, with interest.
eyes. I've traded the grays for
George Merwin's blacks. Of course
there was considerable to boot. They 20
like tho wind in my new cutter.".
II should think they would" Isabel
drew deep breath. II do like black
horses never cared for gray ones. I
always think of having to look for red
headed girl" she laughed. II should
think you'd always be on the outlook
for one when you ride behind them"
Perhaps Mr.. Holderman is looking
for redheaded girl" the judge said,
with queer look in the direction of
=, the young man. "There'sa superstition
that a redheaded girl has violent
temper. Now, that isn't always true"
he said, after u moments silence, in
which his thought seemed to have been
far away. "Isabel's mother had as
sweet a disposition as any woman that
ever lived, and her hair was the color
Of that deep flame there. ~
Isabel was leaning on the back of her |
fathers chair. "Why, father, you've |
always said my hair was almost the col
or Of mothers. I'm sure no one would !
ever think of calling mine red. -
II don't know about that, =" the judge
laughed, land don't know about the
temper either" he added, reaching up
und pinching her cheek.
II never liked red hair, but I'm sure
l don't believe in that sign" Clint said
clumsily. He gazed fixedly into the fire
and felt as though no were turning to
stone.
The clock struck 70 with resonant,
defiant stroke, as though it understood
the contest in which it held the stakes,
and refused to commit itself as to
whose side would win
At quarter past IL the judge stood
up
Clint felt his heart beating wildly
The moment of triumph was at hand.
Tho judge crossed to the bay window
at the other end of the ROOM Isabel's
eyes followed him nervously.
From one side among the geraniums
and ivy he drew the chess table and
pushed it before him toward the fire.
81 think it would DO pleasant for us
to have game Of chess" he said affa-
bly,.
Clint sprang to his feet.
"Oh, thank you, sir, but I think ]
must be gciag home.'
"Oh, must you? Well, come over
again and we'll get at it earlier in the
evening""
1t seemed hours before Clint finally
found himself out on the smooth snow
beaten road spinning along toward
home.
He would have been completely
wretched in his defeat if it had not been
for that look in Isabcl's eyes when she
handed him the corn pepper. He could
endure his fathers ridicule and wait
his time, remembering that look.
And so he made good story of it at
breakfast the next morning and added,
elevating his voice above the roaring
laugh of his father and the shrieks of
his mother and sister:
"Never you mind. The judge isn't
through with me yet. I've only fred
my first gun I'll own when came out
of the house I was out Of shot, but
haven't given up the fight yet
ooh, you'll let some other bantam
rooster carry her off. I guess I'm safe
enough Oh the cash and land promised
you,' his father answered, with pro-
voking laugh.
Don't you count on it, " Clint said,
springing up from the table with fire in
his eyes. "I'm not downed yet, tell
you
"All right, sonny Well give big
lance to celebrate your engagement and
III oyster supper suppose there's no
rush about ordering the oysters?'