The Elbert County tribune., 1903-07-30

hunting and all athletic sports, but a
strength like this mans he had never
before seen, Green was a man. and
men admire strength. The mouth was
suilen under the scant gray mustache:
! the eyes were small. and showed a
possible cruelty of nature-brute cruel.
ty: the forehead was low and narrow.
| There was not an intellectual line in
his face.
A wrinkle of puzzled thought ap-
peared between the young mans
brows. He turned and looked long
and earnestly up the path that led to
the tiny unpainted house set in its
dreary garden short distance up the
mountain,
| Dolores was standing In the door.
way. her arms hanging down In front
OF her, her fingers clasped listlessly
together. The sunlight was on her
dark head: her brown eyes were look
ing straight before her. and there was
light in her face that fairly trans
formed 1t. Usually there was little
light In her face. Her lips were part.
ed as though she had been speaking Of
pleasant things
Young Green took of his hat. and
ran his fingers through his fair hair.
The wrinkle of perplexity appeared
and deepened between his brows.
johnson is she your daughter"
The blacksmith Strengthened up in
surprise. No one had ever before
esked about Dolores. With the back
OF his hand he wiped the drops from
his grimy face.
"She my darter? Wal. reckon. My
cursed luck thet she warn't boy:
boys is o. use"
A flash came into the clear blue
eyes watching him Cursed luck?
Man. you should thank your lucky star
that she is a woman-and such wo-
mani Where did she get her learn
ing?"
''Learnin' ?"
The man was bewildered: he laughed
scornfully She amt never had no
learnin' IS far as | know. Thar amt
no use in learnin'-'t least Il amt
never seen no use o. 1t. Wimmen
specially air better off 'thout It.
Hyar's yer mare reddy. Fine mare,
she. A shillin'. sir; thank 'ee."
The mare was full of life and spirits,
and beautiful animal. When her
master mounted she reared and
plunged; her tail swept the scanty
grass at the door. her long silky name
swept his face; her eyes were fash
ing. her nostrils dilated.
The girl in the doorway lost her list
less attitude. She came down the
steps. and called to him. and her voice
peculiarly penetrating. but full of
rare sweetness-sounded like a note
OF music on the sultry air. He smiled
at her. With tight rein and calm
word he quieted the mare, then he
pleasant; to her it sounded grave and
almost sweet
THE mare is gentle ms kitten: she
would not harm me for the world. 1t is
only one OF her tricks. You are as
fond OF animals as of astronomy, are
you not. Miss Johnson"
Her gaze had strayed down to the
shop. Her father was standing in the
doorway rubbing his hands on his
leathern apron and watching them.
The flash died out of her eyes, the
flush from her face, the listlessness
had returned.
His gaze involuntarily followed hers
He received no reply from her. and
expected none; he understood with a
rare instinct.
When he had ridden away she stood
long time at the gate. The far
away look was in her eyes as she
watched the black mare and her rider
until the haze from the mountain hid
them from view.
When her father came into dinner
he watched her as she prepared the
table; he watched her as she ate.
His eyes were on her constantly; she
knew 1t. but gave no sign.
AS he took up his hat to return to
the shop he turned and asked abrupt.
ly. but with little show of interest:
How old air ye, girl?'
Her large eyes looked through and
through him. her gaze was steady, his
wavered; her voice. too. was steady
and slow:
81 am twenty. father
Curse the grill" he muttered. as he
passed down the worn path TO the
shop with no haste in his slouching
gait Curse all ther wimmen, Borned
fools, every one of 'em, Jest my luck
thet she warn't boy; boys is O. use!"