The Holly chieftain., 1903-07-31

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after few minutes young Green asked
for some water. Johnson sent him to
the house for it, saying that Dolores
would give 1t to him. Green returned
in a few minutes. There was strange
expression on his face, and he did not
enter the shop at once; he stood in the
doorway, watching the hammer fall on
the glowing iron.
Green had college education, and
like all other young fellows, fond of
hunting and all athletic sports, but
strength like this mans he had never
before seen. Green was a man, and
men admire strength. The mouth was
sullen under the scant gray mustache;
the eyes were small, and showed
possible cruelty of nature-brute cruel.
| ty; the forehead was low and narrow
There was not an intellectual line in
his face.
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
a light in her face that fairly trans
| formed it. 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 off 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
asked 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 a boy;
boys is O use"
flash came into the clear blue
| eyes watching him. Cursed luck?
Man, you should thank your lucky star
| that she is woman-and such a wo-
| man. Where did she get her learn
| ing?"
.Learnin ?"
The man was bewildered; he laughed
scornfully. She amt never had no
learnin' s far as | know. Thar amt
no use in learnin'-'t least l amt
never seen no use O. it. 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 a 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 We're fash
ing, her nostrils dilated.
The girl in the dooway 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 a calm
word he quieted the mare, then he
rode up to the girl His voice was
pleasant; to her it sounded grave and
almost sweet.
The mare is gentle as a 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"
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 invountarily 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 it, but gave no sign.
AS he took up his hat to return to
the shop he turned and asked, abrupt.