The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1903-07-10

IKE Ill OlHeI young lellOWS, lOuu VI
hunting and all athletic sports, but a
strength like this mans he had lever
before seen. Green was a man, and
men admire strength. The mouth was
I%sullen 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 APP
ipeared between the young mans
brows, He turned and looked long
and earnestly VI the path that led to.
the tiny implanted house set in it's
dreary garden a short distance up the
mountain. ~ i"' '''
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
|lformed 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
iran his fingers through his fair hair.
THE wrinkle Of perplexity appeared
land %deepened between his brows. ,5r.g
johnson is she your daughter"
The blacksmith Strengthened Zip in
surprise. No one had ever before
asked about Dolores. With the back
| of his hand he wiped the drops from
his grimy face. mas .mo Ialnu.fa- F..
"She my darter? WAL, l reckon. My
cursed luck thet she warn't a boy;
boys is O. use" si "'t.'. "4''-
A flash came into tee clear blue
eyes watching him. al Cursed luck?
Man, you should thank your lucky star
that she is a woman-and such a wo-
man! Where did she get her learn
ing?"
"Learnin' ?" u 0I.. 3n3 b.
The man was b%ewildered; he laughed
scornfully. "She amt never had no.
learnin' s far as l know. Thar amt
no use in learnin'-'t least I amt
never seen no use O. it. Wimmen
specially air better Off 'thout it.
Hyar's yer reddy. Fine mare,
she.u A shllin', 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 were fash
ing. her, nostrils dilated.a .I.3,-
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
ataher. With aatight 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 fer the world 1t is
only one Of her tricks, r, You are as
fond of animals as of astronomy, are
you not, Miss Johnscn?"
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. Z '' ?" -
His gaze involuntarily followed hers.
He received no reply. from her, and
expected none; he understood with a
rare instinct. ,,m
When he had ridden away she stood
a long time at the gate. The far
away look wasIIin her eyes as She
watched the bIack'mare and her rider
untilgthe haze from the mountain hid
them from
When her father came intos dinner
he watched her as she prepared the
table,, he watched herInas she ate.
His. eyes were on her constantly; she
knew it, but gave no sign, si -.,f,
Il 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,T gfrl?a'iA-s '''''
Her large eyes looked through and
through him; her gaze was steady, his
wavered; her voice. dtoo, a steady
and slow f., ..a, 5yj., 80 aF
81 IN twenty, father" ,lun a.u.y
Curse the girl!"r he muttered, as he
passed down the worn path to the
shop with no haste in his slouching
gait. Curse all Their wimmen! Borned