The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-16
A SUCCESSFUL LIAR.
nv oPIE ne An.


clan waved his hand, meaning anywhere.
So Wilson went into the orchard region Of
the southwest. riding an easy-going horse
that he might loll along the way and
breathe the scent Of the apple bloom. In
quiry brought him to a restful place among
the hills, a small, homelike tavern, an
ancient house built OF logs, and moscow
cred on the north side. Here he sat down
TO rest, and it was restful, the soft air, the
mysterious woods and a great spring of
white water that burst with passion from
under rock. This was all charming
enough, but to one of Wilson's sensitive
ness, the people were annoying. The few
ness of strangers rendered the natives in
quisitive, and Immediately upon the arri-
val of a visitor they at once set about to
discover his business and the source of his .
income.
Shortly after his arrival he was sitting
in the best room" in the presence of sew
eral mountaineers who hemmed and hawed
at him and glanced at one another. Pres
emily a tall, gaunt fellow, with beard
streaked with sunlight and shadow, looked
up and said:
Don't reckon it's much use to ask you
if you are stranger in these here parts !.
Not much" replied Wilson.
fAiout have come from a putty good
distance"
yes"
well, about how fur"
"see that blue hill off yonder"
Eyes; it's plain enough"
''Well. / came from further than that"
A silence fell and the hill men chewed
their tobacco and spat into the great fife-
place, and after time another one, no.
ing the Importance Of reserve force, sposza
Il. "a ~ . e.,
Whenever you feel like taking, he'p
yourself" said Wilson, and the reserve
force cleared his throat. But he knew the
duties of his position and was not ready
TO retire.
"Of course" said he, ut is necessary,
or leastwise we think so, for man to have
some sort of business. Don't you think
! so?"
Either that or he ought to be pretty
skillful thief" said Wilson.
Eyes, that's what we think. And yoa
have some sort of business, chi"
Eyes, very fourishing business"
May ask what it is?"
, Certainly | am-am travelling for a fac
tory that makes cork legs and arms"
} They chewed their tobacco and glanced
: at one another, and Wilson, looking around
saw girl standing near the door. He had
caught sight Of her once before, she
swept like a vision from the dairy-bouse
across the yard She did not shrink as he
: looked at her now; her brown eyes mel
his. and he felt that his starving nerves
r were feasting as he gazed upon her
a 'And reckon you have come here t.
v take orders said the reserve force.
Yes, that's my business"
: The hill men fled out, leaving Wilson
= alone, no, with the girl who stin stoo.
s near the door; and when they were gon
n she came forward, not timidly but with
d sweep, a dart like the strike of BIZ
20 ,ass, and she stood at his elbow
IS ather lives over on the hill" she Sc
= and then halted to gaze into his eyes. e
= owns this place but lets mother and T.
run it, because he can't get about We
ia well and don't want to be in anybody
to way. He lost leg in the army, and / wan
Of you to have him one made and brought II
TO here"
She was so earnest that Wilson had
: the heart to tell her that he was a
that he had never seen a cork leg, 50
replied: yes, l viii go over and see
"a with you"
IN They went over and talked with the
n, fellow, and while they were there
IN stumped the owner of an orchard
fruit brought good income and said
he wanted a leg; and before long
named Hicks ordered right arm for Ii
'e self and left arm for his brother
70 Wilson had now gone too far to retire
The girl got into buggy with him
ne drove him into another neighborl
AZ where he took orders for six legs and
~ arms; and then they drove down the G
:. and took more orders. And he four
a. interest in the work. Sometimes his
er science would reproach him, but the
ne ness of the girls face and the brig
IT. of her eyes made him forget his pc
he and so the time grew, like the mello
Of. of an apple, and at last he found ths
:. must return to the great wilderness ca
~ a city. He told her good-by, at night,
- moon in her eyes, and he kissed her az
IN without word fastened away with swe
OF sadness in his heart.
a The weeks passed and he sat in an off
be . miserable employment obtained for 81
Ey Influential friends, and his hands We
- at work but his mind was among the hi
and down in his heart he saw girl WI
the moon in her eyes. But he could not
to- turn to the hillside had deceived til
simple people. Was there no way to
nd himself right? He sprang out of his G
he Why couldn't he fill those orderss
must be a cork leg factory somewhef
the city He would investigate. He fop
me a place, quite large establishment, a
len told the manager what he had done.
10Y had the orders with him. A liberal CO
all mission was allowed him, and filter y
IRIS sent with him to try on the arms and le
of And again Wilson and the girl stood
the moonlight, and her lips murmuri
!, sweetness were turned upward
.ne thought of the weary hours in his office a
III the heavy dullness of life without her. 5
ner inspired him with rest; she was the ST
of the wooded hills
it," "And will you be gone so long t
in timer she innocently asked. And with
her innocence and frankness she so'
times touched him gently with embarrs
ment. Not if / knew that / could sell a
pea more Of my goods about here" he repli
the and she sighed softly.
op. "Uncle Matt has begun work at s;
r?" MILL" she said, and he murmured yes
the relieve the crosse embarrassment, W
dering what Uncle Matt had to do with
~ early return. She sighed again and c
tinued:
Uncle Matt isn't n careful man, an
pen sawmill is dangerous place to work,
y mr. e Il.