The Delta independent., 1898-01-21

was not q smile, but something more
rare, more like an inner irradiation.
Though of the poorest, something with
in had kept her from descending to
their bold. hard manner. The simple,
unconscious grace with which she left
her guests to their own will would have
become a loftier station.
Craymer stared after her. Something
in the turn Of her head as the great
wave of freight fell upon it caught his
attention.
Fine model for picture, he said,
with an awakened interest.
Laurel felt tho difference between
these and the other visitors who came
at long intervals to sit at their table.
There was something new and strange
in the look and manner of these men.
Their words were unlike any they had
heard. yet size understood the meaning.
1t was like new music to one who loves
music, or like rare beauty to the eye of
an artist. She kept the echo of it in her
heart and thought of it late into the
night.
The meal was nearly over when she
came and stood beside Wilmot onoo
more. 1--WE ha'nt go. g much s wo'd
orter hev fur yo'," she said in her clear
voice that sounded as if some wild bird
had taken to speaking words.
1--WE were two very hungry men,"
was the reply. Nothing could be more
delicious than this rich milk and the
mush and the bread and butter
"Thank yo', kindly" said the young
hostess. She turned away without look
ing at him this time.
The child began petulant whimper.
She took it in her arms and soothed it
to sleep. Then she carried it to door
ut the end of the room. Wilmot started
to open the door for her, but, noting the
look on his companions face, leaned
back again in his chair. The next mo-
ment ae mentally kicked himself for
coward.
While she was gone the grandmother
cleared away the things and began q
slow, unaccented monologue. The
grandfather had gone to the settlement
to do some trading and would not be
back for another day. The youth and
the child had lost their mother three
years back, but their father had gone
below-the usual manner in which Ore
gonians refer to San Francisco-and
was doing fair. He wrote to them once
year and sent . box Of thinga.
Laurel didn't belong to them. Her
father died crossing the plains. The
mother was most dead, so the train left
her, with the baby and the wagon and
other belongings, at the hut.
but Laurel be growed inter q COM
fort t. me-" added the grandmother.
"an tn young uns take T. her mighty.
We couldn't git long nohow 'thout
Laurel"
''It doesn't seem eafe for you," said
Wilmot, "to live here SO far from any
one else."
"Hugh Yes, " answered the old voice.
"1t be perfectly safe. We don't sec no
one fur moons t'gether. N thur beant
no more trouble with Injins here bouts.
Onct in awhile one comes long, but we
don't mind 'em. Th' gram ther hid tn
hut way up here out O. sight when him
n me wus young folks. N nobody
much don't know't we be here. The
farm be tn leetle good spot o. groun
jest out thar in tn desert. He lotted
out t. build big house down thar, but
pears like we dunno how t. tear our
sells way from tn old place. s'poss
some folks nd think 1t be lonesomeiike
livin 80 by oursel's. But thar's tn
beasts. They be a heap o. comp'ny."
The two men looked at each other.
The wind moaned out q cry Of terror,
and the pleasant cracking Of the fir
wood in the huge fireplace turned to q
CHASTITY sound. The young girl came
into the room while the grandmother
was speaking and paused just where
the Pickering light touched her slight
figure.
"Some days." she said, with o little
quiver in her voice-"some days I'm
feared when thar bcant no need to fear,
n some days, ag'in, when thar be,
seems like tn fear do all go. shook at
ev'ry noise heer'n all day, N t'night
l couldn' open my mouth when I seen
you, been that feared.
1t was an eerie figure, young, slight
and fair, standing in the wavering light
and uttering those uncouth words in
that tender. thrilling tone. CraymeI
shivered and drew near to the fire.
Don't be afraid tonight" said vii.
mot. "We don't pretend to great brav.
cry, but we'll do our best to take care
Of you and the grandmother aud the
child"
She did not answer, though she stood
with hands locked before her until he
had finished She went to the youth, q
sturdy fellow, who had fallen asleer
on the skin covered lounge, and aroused
him gently. Then she drew aside some
curtains Of skins and displayed reces,
containing bed and a tiny washstand.
''This be yo'r place." ahe said to the
strangers ut be all clean ag'in tn
comp'ny's comm"
Then she slid long wooden b,
through iron loops to fasten the cute,
door, wound the clock and with swift
silence set the chairs at righta Mean.
while the grandmother covered tho om