The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-07-13
P Y.

Joan was not in the kitchen when
I arrived at the cottage nor about the
buildings; nor yet could l spy her
anywhere moving III the hills. SO,
after calling to her once or twice, 1
stabbed the mare, and set OF up the
tor side to seek her.
But to-day as l climb'd past the
spot, something very bright fash'd IN
my eyes and dazzled me. l finally
found her sitting behind n slab OF grain
tie with her back to me. In the lett
hand she was holding up the mirror
that caught the rays of the now sink
inc sun, while with her right'she trled
To twist into some form of knot her
tresses-black, and coarse as a horses
mane-that already she had roughly
braided. A pail of water stood beside
her; and around lay scatter'd a score
or more of long thorns, cut to the
shape of hairpins.
IT'S probable that after a minutes
watching l let some laughter escape
me. At any rate Joan turned, spled
me. and scrambled up, with an angry
red on her cheek. Then l saw that her
bodice was heater lac'd than usual.
and a bow of yellow ribbon (fish'd up
heaven knows whence stuck III the
bosom. But the strangest thing was
to note the effect of this new tidiness
upon her; for she took a step forward
as if to cuff me by the ear (as, q day
asene. she would have done), and then
stopp'd, very shy and h~esitating.
why, JOAN" said I, don't be an
ger'd. 1t suits you choicely-it does
indeed"
Art scoffng, l doubt" She stood
looking heavily and ashance at NE.
ION my faith. no. Thou art GER
tainly a handsome girl; give me a kiss
for the mirror"
Instead Of flying out. as look'd for,
she fac'd round, and answered me
gravely:
That I will not; not to any but my
master"
And who is that"
No man yet; nor shall be till one
has beat me sore; him will l love, an
follow like q dog-if so be he whack
me often enow'."
a strange way to love-" laughed /.
She look'd at me straight, albeit with
an odd gloomy light in her eyes.
Think so, Jack? Then 1 give thee
leave to try"
I think there i. always a brutality
lurking in a man to leap out unawares.
Yet why do I seek excuses, that have
never yet found one? To be plain, l
sprang fercely up and after Joan. who
had already started, and was racing
along the slope.
Twice around the tor she led me; n
though I strained my best, not a yard
could l gain upon her, for her bare
feet carried her light and free. Indeed.
I was losing ground, when suddenly
she stumbled. / laid hand on her shoul-
der. and in q moment she had grippd
me. and was wrestling like a wild
cat. So when Joan rushed in and
closed with me, l was Witnln an ace
of being thrown, pat.
But recovering, l got her at arms
length. and held her so, While my
heart ach'd to see my fingers gripping
her shoulders and sinking into the
flesh. 1 begged off; but she only fought
and painted, and struggled to lock Inc
by the ankles again. I could not have
dream'd to find such fierce strength in
a girl. Once or twice she nearly over
MASTERED me-; but at length my stub
born play wore her out. Her breath
came short and fast, then fainter; and
in the end, still holding her off, l
turned her by the shoulders. and let
her drop quietly on the turf. 10
thought had 1 any longer of kissing
her: but stood back, heartily sick and
ashamed Of myself.
For a while she lay, turn'd over on
her side, with hands guarding her
head, as if expecting me to strike her.
Then gathering herself up. she came
and put her hand in mine, very meekiy.
Had liked it better had'st thou
stamped the life out O me, Almost.
But there. lad-am thine forever"
Twas like a buffet in the face to me.
"What.w I cried.
She looked up in my face-dear
heaven. that I should have to write
it.-with eyes brimful. sick with love:
tried to speak, but could only nod, L
broke into q wild fit Of tears.
Go be continued.)