The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-06-10


, phere of conventionality that SURROUND
ed them.
''The people of the country know
me-" be went on II come once IL
awhile and doctor their animals, theil
cows and sorses and dogs and pussy
cats" he ended whimsically But he
did not tell her that he was welcomed
wherever he went as one who was ex
pert, but who would receive no pay fol
his skill.
They walked through the trees to.
gether. and he helped her into the
trap.
Il will come again." she said. And as
she drove away she turned and waved
goodby to the man and the dog.
That night when darkness had fall
en-, when all the sweetness of summer
fragrance was In the air, the vagabond
drew the smooth head of the old dog
close within his arms.
There Is something, old fellow" he
whispered, that one needs more than
| forest or field or stream"
And for the first time since she had
cast spell over this man Nature had
rival.
The girl came every day. Only Dan
forth knew, and, being a gentleman, he
kept the knowledge to himself. but he
ragged inwardly.
At first she came to see the dog.
Later she came to see the man. OF
course this was a fact not admitted to
herself. But there was about him the
attraction of the unknown. There was.
too, the charm of the woods, of the
golden summer air and the drowsy
music of the bees.
Away from the chatter Of the house
full Of guests she felt the fascination
OF the primeval. She might have been
a dryad and he faun in the days be-
fore the days Of men, and his voice
seemed to tell of the signing of pines
and the singing of birds and Of the
beat Of dancing waves to WOO her from
the life she had lived.
AS for him, In his whole life be had
wanted nothing that he could not have.
Even his vagabondism was a part that
ne had chosen. Somewhere there was
waiting for him respectable income
and respectable position in the dun
ness of the commonplace.
SO when she came to him day after
day the care free look went out Of his |
eyes and left him all conqueror, and
her eyes, meeting his, fell
One afternoon she came very late
The sun made path Of gold for her
as she stepped from the shadow of the
trees. She was all In white. The thin
ness OF her gown was gathered about
her and the swiriing lace ruffles swept
the grass. Her throat was little bare
and her dark hair was drawn princess
like to the top of her head.
Il am 80 tired of 1t ALL" she said.
May l stop with you for a little
whileY
He led her to seat on an old log, his
fairy princess ON sylvan throne, he
thought and was silent in the presence
Of her beauty.
Talk to me-" she said. "Ten me of
your life"
de told her of his home In the noun
IIains. OF little house, high I'D near
The clouds. OF the big fireplace with
'he roaring fire, of his books, of the
ieep window that looked out on the
beauty of the snow, of the window seat
which he had made and heaped with
ed blankets and bearskins, of the half
'rozen wild things that were his com
,anions
You are gentleman" she said
With a guilty consciousness of a former
definition, but the name fitting him.
eemed to take on dignity, "and vet {
'ou have chosen this life. WhyY,
Because there is within me that |
which makes the tramp of the poor
nan. Because l must go on forever I
wing with nature. Perhaps my great Z
reat-grandfather had In him the blood G
I gypsy. Such is the tradition. But '
Know this, that should die in the Q
apivtty Of everyday duties"
And are you never lonelyT' s
i never knew lonelinessY' be an @
wered. until now" O
Ills eyes were on the sunset and her t
mite, bare hand went out toward him
nd was drawn back timidly.
Il must go now" she said. She kne,t q
eside the dog. 8
He is almost we'll" She spoke re- b
retfully.
Yes; ne is well enough to go-home.v h
NO no." She looked up, startled. p
lie must not leave you yet" b
bis eyes were again on the west
mere the last red glow blazed against S,
lie gray. 8.
1T is who must not stay" he said.
She stood up. her face white. b.
he made no sign. The fire In the b,
est died, and the eyes that he turned W
her reflected the gray Of the twi- :
int.
Think OF IT," he said-4the life
10. A woman cannot know OF the Y
stlessness that stirs my blood. What
= you know OF II, you who are quiet
IIaaaa