The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-05
THE SQUATTER'S% LOVE.
BY FRANK Fl. SWEET.

Gam Fanneli went ooWn the paSn with his frame bent over a little more than usual, his good-natured face se- rious. Once he paused irresolutely. as though with an impulse to turn back; then his huge shoulders shrugged impa- tiently at the weakness, and he went on. Nose Tarr's cabin stood at the edge O. a small clearing, as diminutive and dilapidated as the most shiftless of the There was but one streak of energy or ambition in the Tarr fam lily. and that was Sally Kate. Sally Kate had come home the day before, after a term at the valley school where her en- efgy had carried her. The going had been a wonder in the neighborhood. for Nose was never known to possess a dol lar or spark of ambition for himself O. his family and the valley school cost money. Even Sally Kate wondered. She had saved part-a small part-of the tui- tor necessary through years of energy and hoarding, but had never hinted of 1t or her ambition to Nose. Then one day, when she had begun to despair of ever accommodating enough, her father had handed her a roll or money which cov- cred the difference and enough to buy clothes and books, and told her gruffly to "git along after the fool knowledge an be done with it." He had refused to give any explanation, and she had gene away contritely, feeling she had al- ways done him injustice.
 She was thinking of 1t now when there came a heavy step outside and Cam Pannell stood before her. She sprang for ward with a little cry of joy and well come, then seemed to recollect some thing, for she stopped suddenly. color ing and looking embarrassed. Cam step G,.ta tlA an1 her stolidly.
 'I was off huntin' yesterday, Sally Kate," he said, "an' didn't know ye d got back till Sam Boseman an Hike Miller stopped in my cabin few min utes last night an told. They said ye brought up a young feller from the val ley" looking down at her steadily, "a nice one with store clothes an kid gloves, who took of his hat when he spoke. An Sam said he seen him kiss ye."
 ''Oh, Cam, IL" But he silenced her with a motion of his big hand.
 4l's all right Sally Kate." he said, kindly, don't think I'm come down here to fuss. Ye've know me too long for that. It's been three years since you an me was engaged, an ye was too young a gal to really know what was best for ye then. An now we're got eddicated an
 
 nat'ral, an we're bound to find us all pretty tough up here. If ye've got nice man who's like you, I'm the last one to put my foot down agin 1t. That's what I'm here for now, to say our engagement needn't go on no furder. I'll bring down the little tricks ye've given me tonight tho handkerchief an the jack knife, an tho red necktie. I ain't used none of em-I couldn't, seein' yet give 'em to me Well, I'll be goin' now, an don't ye feel cut up a bit."
 Tears were in Sally Rates eyes.
 T don't like for you to go this way Cam" she said tremulously; and you mustn't bring"
 1T! wouldn't be fair for me to keep 'en new. I spose mebbe your feller Il be round tonight? I'd be glad to see him.
 She flushed little.
 He's over to Cousin Lige's," she an swered. Our house Is only two rooms yol know. But I wish you wouldn't cal Nil. Lizetter my fellow, Cam. I've only known him two weeks, and-and he just come up with me to see the mountains t'Ain't ye goin' to marry fim?' blunt ly.
 Sally Kate hesitated, but people had tc be direct with Cam Penneli
 we have spoken about his coming back in the fall, at corr shucking time,'' she answered, in a low voice.
 Well" steadily, T hope he'll be ev. erything you expect-good fambly an all an right habits"
 "I don't know anything about his fam. lily" desperately, "only that he's from some foreign country and can talk about rich people and fine ways. He's bar. ber down to the place where I went tc school, and has a shop fixed up with glssses and things. He says he makes lots of money, and he wears gloves al the time when he walks out"
 Cam did not look altogether convinced Money an gloves go with gentle ways I spose," he considered; but they ain't everything Still, I reckon it's all right for you've seen him an I ain't Well good bye"
 She watched him as he left the cabin and strode up the mountain path. Once she made a quick step forward, as though she would call him back then hesitated. Everybody on the mountain liked Cam Pennell. She had liked him as a young girl. She liked him now she did not know herself how well. But he was awkward and rough in dress and uneducated and MT. Lizetter was just the reverse He was never careless about his looks.
 Cam went straight toward his own cabin. But on the way was a moon sinners still. lounglng place for the rougher men of the neighborhood A number were already there, and among them were Lige and his guest. As Cam approached. the group were laughing