The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1903-07-24
CHAPTER VII.%Continued.)

COR may be less affection" Gid re-
piled. "They say she's strong, but
call her cold. Hold on and I'll walk
with you" He got down off the fence
and walked beside the giant. she's a
mighty strange woman to me-" the
old man said when they had walked
for a time in silence. But there's no
question of the fact that she's strong,
that is, as some people understand
strength. To me, l CAD, there Is more
force in affection than in restraint.
She loves her children - no doubt
about that and of course she thinks
the world of the Major, but somehow
she misjudges people. She doesn't I'M
derstand me at all. But 1 reckon the
majority of men are too deep for a
woman l didn't want to see them in
the throes of their trouble, and l says
to the Englishman, it's time to GIT
and we got. He wanted me to go over
to his house and get some Scotch
whisky. l told him that the last rain
must have left some water in a hollow
stump near my house, and that I pre-
ferred 1t to his ~outlandish drink. And
hanged If he didn't think l was in
earnest. Yes, sir, I knew that girl
would marry him; and let me tell you,
II 1 was a youngster I would rather
have her love than the love of any wo-
man I ever saw. There's something
about her I never saw in any other
woman CAD, she's got character;
understand me? She amt beautiful,
hardly handsome, blu there's some
thing about her, hanged If l know what
It Is. But it's something; and I've al
ways found that the strongest charm
about a m is a something that
you can't exactly catch - something
that is constantly on the dodge. And
you bet I've had lots Of experience.
The Major could tell you many a story
on me. Yes, sir. Say, Jim, 1 know
how you feel over this affair, and l
want you to understand that I'm your
friend, first, last, and all the time.
I've been trying to talk up to the right
place, but now I don't exactly know
what to say"
"Don't say anything, Uncle Gideon"
II reckon that would be about the
wisest plan. Just wanted to let you
know where to find me. Strang things
happen even in this quiet community.
don't they? But I'm woefully sorry
that this special thing has happened.
I CAD, the Major snorted so loud that
my horse broke loose from the post,
and that's the reason I'm stepping
around here like a blind dog in a meat
house. Begin pickin' tomorrow, /
reckon"
9" don't know. I had made all my
arrangements. but now after what's
happened I don't care whether there's
a boil picked or not. I'm let down."
Don't feel that way. old fellow.
You'll be all right In, a day or two"
"Mr. Bats, If l didn't know that you
were trying to soothe me | would take
that remark as an insult. II l thought
I wasn't any more steadfast than to
be all right in a day or two-if I really
believed my character that light, I
swear I'd go this minute and drown
myself"
why, my dear boy, you know I
didn't mean to infer that your heart
had no more memory han that. What
I meant was that your sense of resig-
nation would demand a hearing, SO to
speak. Let me tell you something. ]
understand that girl better than her
father or mother does-I have made
her a special study, and I want to tell
you that when I take the trouble to
throw my mind on a woman a mystery
has to be cleared right then and there
And this Is what I want to say: She
has married that fellow out of pity.
don't believe she loves him. Always
was ruled by pity. Recollect hearing
the Major tell of a sudden streak Of
misfortune hat overlook his family