Mexico Missouri message., 1903-07-30

I like all other young fellows, fond OF
hunting and all athletic sports, but q
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 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 implanted house set in its
dreary garden a 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 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 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
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"
A fash came into the clear blue
eyes watching him. 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 ?"
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 on '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 weetness-sOunded like a note
of music on the sultry air. He smiled
at her. With a 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.
1.-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"
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 /
rare instinct.
When he had ridden away she stool
long time at the gate. The far
away look was in her eyes as she
watched the black mare and her ride
until the haze from the mountain hiC
them from view.
When her father came into Dime
he watched her as she prepared tn,
table; he watched her as she ate
His eyes were on her constantly; shr
knew it, but gave no sign.
AS he took up his hat to return t
the shop he turned and asked, abrupt
ly, but with little show Of interest:
"How old air ye, girl?"
Her large eyes looked through an
through him; her gaze was steady, hi
wavered; her voice, too, was stead
and slow;
II am twenty, father"
Course the grill" he mutteTed, as b
passed down the worn path to th
shop with no haste In his slouchin
i. gait, Course all Their wimmen! Borne
fools. every one of EN-! Jest my luc