The Delta independent., 1898-01-21

I ~~-f 49,
brushes.
"Your pony is somewhat tagged, {"
i said Wilmot as the Indian led it away
(which way did You go today"
I'm not good at points Of compass, I"
was the evasive answer.
Just at that moment the water color
pad slipped from his hands and fell un-
der the full light from swinging lamp
on the veranda. Wilmot caught sight
Of the old hut with its picturesque sur
roundings.
"You have. been there" he said So
verely, Notwithstanding that he had
thought over and over about going there
himself Indeed, the memory of that
| lonely place and its inhabitants had
haunted him until there were times
! when he felt that he must make sure
that it was true-that there was such o
wild place. Gnd that it held such gentle
dwellers. He had not owned that he
would assure himself that she was real
ly safe; that the clouds and the great
white mountain had kept watch over
her by day and the desert had entrapped
any foot that would do her harm by
night.
"You have been there he said again
more severely.
Craymer threw himself into ham
mock and waited 70 roll cigarette
with his delicate fingers before he an
Swered, Don't get excited"
Then he lighted the trifo and watch
ed tho smoke curl slowly from his
pursed up lips.
''Yes, went there shortly after our
impromp.u Writ. Party call. you know.
Devoirs to the young hostess. Don't
look 30 severe. She doesn't caro- for me.
She always asks about 'th' tall un' in a
shy way-not in the least as she would
ask you about me. She ifees SO among
mighty mountains that mnn who
measures less than O feet Is beneath
her notice It would be cruel Cor you to
go there, but it isn't so with me-"
Wilmot felt his fingers tingle to lay
hold Of this careless speaker. "Thep
you've been there more than oncc," he
affirmed, with added sternness.
Craymer nodded. II came here TO
sketch the country and the people. And
it's worth going farther to get such
wild young thing. to say nothing Of the
other members Of the family. cou!dn't
do them Justice in one nor In several
visits."
Then wilmot remembered how very
little no had sccn Of Crnymer since the
night when they were sheltered at tho
hut. He had never cared for the COM
| pany Of this man and had been rather
| glad than otherwise when day after
day had passed without his presence.
But now n fiery rage arose within him.
Craymer saw it, and being in satanic
huInor Just then went into the ranchei-
rn and presently came out with u hand
full Of sketches
"These may interest you," he said.
with sardonio smile. Then, whistling
"The Little Maid Of Already, " he spread
| out sketch after sketch done ia vivid
way, with faultless drawing and clean
handling.
"That's the grandfather-a fine old
| heather, with dignity in the face and
figure. And that is the grandmother.
Here Is the child, and here are some Of
tho beasts, as they call them. Gothic
in style, you see, but picturesque. very.
Aud hero is the little rhododendron
herself.
by tho way" he interpolatcd laugh.
ingly Us he held the other sketches in
his hand, "such deplorable ignorance (!
It seems that she's troubling her pretty
head with new and strange thoughts.
She asked me who God is; IL he paints
| pictures, or whether he Is man like
you. Hard ON me, now, wasn't it?''
"And what did you tell herr" asked
Wilmot.
Pretended not to havo heard and
gave her q picture to look at Queer.
wasn't ita''
"very queer" assented wilmot.
Then Craymer laid out several
| sketches Of the figure wilmot remem-
bered 4. well-the face with its tender,
sodato mouth; the soft masses Of straight,
dark hair, parted above tho low fore
head, and the trustful eyes, with that
little lift to the lower lid that comes to
ono who gazes over wide distances and
| that gave rare fascination to this face.
| "Well," said Wilmot tentatively,
| turning from one to another. Then ms
the other did not speak, "What are you
going 10 do with all thcse?' no asked
In dry tone.
"Work them up and sweep things Mt
tho next 'ex : send two or three across
the pond to my old market nnd mako
my fortune"
| A long pause followed. Then Wilmot
said, Don't show them 10 any one else,
but name any reasonable price and con-
slider them sold"
| "Ah, so?' said Craymer. with .
knowing nod. II thought as much.
Well, you shall have first refusal.
"And don't go there again." Wilmot
added.
$50 that you can have everything
your own way when You go?'
IL have not been there since we came
away together. and am not going"
"Yet you spend hours gazing in that
particular direction.
/ lyon ara impertinent I asked Won