Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-04
By


Vincenza-in the last twenty-four hours. how
often the thought of her had come to hint what
contrast this girl of the fields was to Dorothy
Thorburnl How winsome, how unaffected she
was little woman to be priced as a Jewel nv q
fortunate man.
Something moved in the chapparal clump above
him. He turned, and saw two small brorvn-
feathered birds emerge.
"Quail" he said under his breath He reached
for the gun, aimed quickly and fred.
gobbling of grown turkeys, the pitiful cheena n,
young bird t'tumbled about in the grass ana
louder than these, the waiting plea of errI ,oh,
OH don't shoot" n
Then, racing down upon him, came vineepz.
her hat gone her dark hair flying, her face White
with anxiety for her flock. '0
She the little crumpled victim now and
with pitiful sob sank down and took It into her
lap "Ah! poor Maria!" she wept, smoothing a
stained wing.
"vincenza," pleaded Austin putting the gun
aside and kneeling beside her, II didn't mean to
do it. thought it was quail oh, I'm so sorry
Listen. I'll make the loss up thousand times
Come, please don't cry"
The cbapparal crashed about him. He stood
up-in time to meet the angry black eyes of a
stalwart young man, who came painting upon the
scene, carrying vincenza's hat.
What's the matter?" demanded the new
conner. my Vincenza, are you hurt? This fool
has been shooting" And lifting the girl up. he
held her. as if in defence, against his breast
ell make it right" Austin answered in a low
voice
1.-The DEVIL" began Guido, almost shaking Vim
cenza in his wrath "But she loves each little
Vipcenza interrupted him.
Guido" she entreated, do not be 80 mad
would have to sell them all before the wedding
would not? And Maria was SO young--she was
not worth two-bts. Only"-plaintively-"she dies
little sooner"
"well, anyhow" went on Guido, not whit
pacifed, II like to know why you hang around
here all the time Vincenza, she is mine, and
do not"
Again, the girl interrupted. This time she
stepped back little, holding her lover at arms
length and smiling at him through her tears ooh,
poor Guido she cried teasingly, with swift look
And of this kind old gentleman"
+ Austin involuntarily Strengthened, and his head
jerked back If to avert blow. The doubts
that had troubled him were settled. Truth had
spoken.
He took out bullying leather purse, opened it.
and let dozen shining fves run into his hand.
Then bis sensitive face pale his look subdued, he
held out the money to Guido.
The young Italian received 1t with something
short of bow, and proffered it to vincenza.
Here he said soothingly
Vincenza, black lashes still wet gazed in won
derment upon the little pile of coins. "Oh!" she
cried. but Maria not worth SO much!'
Austin picked up the gum buttoned his coat.
little wedding gift" he said And I wish you
both all the happiness that life can give Good
day." He lifted his hat and wheeled.
At that moment he saw, halted in well-screened
turn of the distant road by the creek, two figures
One was slender and dressed in white, and one was
topped by wide sombrero. And as he looked,
the Whitehead figure was suddenly caught close
to the other--so close that two heads we're shielded
by the same broad hat.
'"Weu" said Austin at luncheon, smiling upon
his hostess, II go back to town to-day"
Mrs Thorburn's face, until wreathed in
smiles that marves of effusive AVAILABILITY,
dropped suddenly as II rough hand had oeen
. drawn down across it; then it slowly REDEEMED,
and two eyes, startled. even apprehensve ex-
changed a glance with Hal
NONSENSE cried the son of the house. leaning
toward Austin 1--WE can't let you go-thats all
there is about it, Ned here is off in the morning
and-and we can't afford to lose anyone else.
Can mother? 2"
By now Mrs Thorburn had recovered somewhat
from her momentary surprise Once more Deamlng
aiiably. she shook finger at Austin IN playful
sternness, II protest. she said. NO, no. you
can't go. We all protest Dorothy. &c.,
feigned enthusiasm. "Why-why should you go?"
''I've got such a lot to do" explained Austin.
''You know Larry-the that's been with me
such long time? He's just been married. ana
want to attend to wedding-present for him"
"1'he idea of your hurryng away to look a a a
servants comfort" cooed MRS Mrs. Inorourh' mh0n
you need rest badly yourself
.I think you're right" admitted Austin, airy.
"I'm not young as was once. .o.
eyes. not so young" continued Austin, jovialy:
"In fact, I'm nothing less than an old gentleman.
He gave hearty laugh.
had in it an entirely strange note. The supdueo,
seemingly pliable Austin she understood But
what of this one, changed all at once-more
youthful, CHEEKY and dominating?
"You know these two weeks I'VE had time to
take stock of myself" Austin continued II was
IN - Groove Well travelling these hills has
trabf me- the value of change and recreation. I'm
going back to town to settle things up SO that
can get away to Europe for a long vacation I'm
afraid that means more work for you, Ned"
The Young man looked back at him soberly.
eyes, sir?' 80,
'sort of general manager. What do you say7'
For moment there was perfect silence; next
general movement; then-Dorothy's fork fell from
her hand and clattered upon plate.
noofd HAT
rho older man nodded, and smiled from /one to
another of the circle When he came to Dorothy,
he saw q face from which petulance ana pretence
we're gone Her eyes as they met his, were as
childishly honest as Vincenzas own. And they