Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-02-17
CHIFFON AND
HOMESPUN
BY FANNIE HEASLlP LEA

'a"et came out OF the long red farm
house and paused briefly at the steps,
buttoning her dogskin gloves. The
keen, bright cold of the November
morning brought the blood to her
eneeks and an awakening sparkle to
her cool gray eyes. She fastened the
gloves with a final tug and ran down
the path to where a man and two
horses stood, just beyond the gate.
He helped her mount with no word
beyond brief Ready" and an an
proving smile, then swung himself into
the saddle and followed her over the
crest Of the hill on which the red farm.
house stood.
"You lead the way" he called after
her. Il am a stranger in a strange
land"
This way" said Janet Il want you
to see the view from Briersons hill.
It's about the best In this part of the
country, think"
Better than this?" asked the man
audaciously, his eyes ON her clear cut
profile.
1.-The background is better" said ia.
net coolly.
The mountains rose. blue and misty
IN the distance as they rode on. Around
them the red Of the sumac blazed wild.
~, and on the sloping sides of the
foothills through which they passed
great gashes in the red clay suggested,
strangely. open wounds.
ITS fine country" said Burke,
with conscious banality.
Janet flung him look that startled
him, 1t was SO far outside her usual
cool self mastery.
ITS Gods country" she said ex.
uitantly. "Oh, could ride forever! Sec
the haze, like smoke, on those noun
tains and the leaves aflre on the hills
There's rabbit. See him jump across
the road. And look-yonder's an aster.
| thought its time was over. Isn't
that wind good on your facet Oh,
love It all, every bit Of itv'
II see you d." said Burke slowly.
'Well, why shouldn't II" she de-
manded. Doesn't 1t make you feel
your life7 I've a different soul up
here"
Il see you have" said the man. I'm
trying to fit that soul to the Janet !
know in town, the Janet who sat for
my Lady In Gray the Janet Of trail.
ing chiffons and pink teas and Ibsen
matinees. Why, you've a different look
In your eyes now. You're warmer, less
aloof, less certain of yourself. What
Is it,"
Don't" said the girl, with q pro
testing smile. II won't be dissected.
asked you down to spend Thanksgiv
ing with me-not to cut up my sou
with your little Ratchet"
"And l came to spend Thanksgiving
with you," retorted Burke, mot with 9
strange woman who has your eyes ant
your hair and your face-you that
know. How did you happen to leave
hereY he asked, with the unembarrass
ed frankness of intimacy.
Il don't know" said Janet doubtful
". ut just happened. Aunt Jane tool
a fancy to me while was OF at col
lege, and when graduated she otteret
to bring me out in town. Mother new
er objected to anything wanted, and
we'll, was dazzled with the idea o
town-society, dances. men. Any gir
would be. so went to Aunt Jane" sh
finished. You have the sweet, sal
story Of my life now, bar a few de
tails"
MEM" asked Burke.
Look out for that bridge; It's bad
Yes-men." said Janet
"Of whom am one" he finished.
She nodded inscrutably.
"Well, l don't want to be one" b
protested, unless you preface it witt
the in italics"
Don't your
"No," he repeated firmly, II don't
See here, Janet-how long have know,
your
"a year and a half" said the girl r.
fectively.
"And in the course Of that time
have twice asked You to marry ms
haven't IT'
II seem to remember something q
the Sort" she answered. with flicker
ing smile that somehow sheathed tn
sneer.
Didn't you know when you ask,e
me here that I'd do 1t again? Didn
you know that couldn't see you In
new phase and not lose my grip on m!
self? All, Janet, you must have known
and II you. knowing, let me come
must have been because you meant
say He broke OF and struck SAY
aeely with his whip at the leaves abov
his head.
Meant to say what" suggested tn
girl whimsically-"the word that woul
hobble my life forever. that would ma
row my horizon and weed out my e.
istencs to one thought one aim. OF
snd9 Il that what meant to say
III you like to put It 30. that 10 It
said the man sullenly. "You know II
truth is"-
a