Smyrna times., 1908-08-05

Cbe Cak1n9
Of fLcrena.
By ANNE HEILMAN.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary PrasS
By ANNE HEILMAN.


May, there were sudden and chill
whiffs of wind from the north. accom-
panied by flying particles of ice and
snow, grim warning that winter had
not yet renOunced its sway in the
nOrthland.
Floyd Jordan, striding down the steep
mountain trial, halted irresolutely near
the abrupt turning at Farrells bluff.
He appeared to be medtating deeply.
Suddenly he threw up his head. squared
his shoulders and hurried on. not in
the direction of the boarding house in
the gulch, but toward Farrelrs cabin.
Farrelrs cabin consisted of two log
houses Joined together and chinked
with mud. There were other cabins of
the same simple architecture scattered
over the mountain side and nestled in
the gulches, but white curtains hung
at the Farrell windows, and the wind
ward side of the living room was hung
with gay Navajo blankets.
The brown fur of a mountain bear
was on the floor, and its mate was
spread luxuriously beneath the red pill
lows of a couch. And, set like a torch
in the south window. geranium,
potted in a brilliant Indian basket,
lifted its scarlet bloom.
Bet Jordan felt without seeing this
harmony. He was looking into the
face of the girl who had opened the
door. 1t was a face of light and shade
which spoke the swift thought before
the voice found words a face to hold
mans glance in a crowd Closing
the door. she resumed her seat by the
fire without replying to JOrdan's genial
greeting.
He seemed to fill the room. Six feet
two and broad shouldered, he looked
even larger in the clumsy canvas coat,
cordurOys and high laced boots of the
proSpector. He whipped his hat
against his knee, evidently discon-
certed by the girls hostile attitude.
THAT you. Floyd JOrdan?" inquired
a voice from the inner room.
eyes, Mrs. Farrell. How're you feel
ing?"
Some better I'm glad to say. Set
down and warm yourself. Floyd.
'Tain't to be wondered at that people
have rheumatism in a land where
there is ten months winter. If you'll
shut the door, Loreny, I'll get up and
dress"
LOrena closed the door.
"FlOyd Jordan. what are you coming
here again for?" she burst out sud
denly.
Wouldn't be very neighborly not to
drop in with your mother sick and
your dad away. would it,"
Didn't l tell you that never would
speak to you again and that 1 never
wanted to see yOu?" she said fiercely,
taking few steps toward him. Even
in that critical moment, With her eyes
blazing unjust and unreasonable anger
the miners heart throbbed acknowl-
edgment of the tall, plant. reedlike
grace before him.
'Yes. LOrena. but l have Just a lit
tie hope that you don't always mean
what you say"
Don't you think 1 mean it when
tell you I've heard how you Dragged
to the boys at the store that you could
take Ame whenever you got good and
ready?
Il never said it in that way. Some
one has garbled my words to suit theil
own purpose. Why. I've loved you
| from the first time l ever set eyes or
you. I've been thinking of building ;
cabin on mg claim-if you'll have me
Lorena. If you won't I'll sell out ant
| go to the States
"YOu can't go any too quick to sui
me-" answered the girl. her voice tense
with scorn. "And you can tell then
loafers at the store that I'm not to b,
taken so easily. I'd rather die thar
marry you, Floyd Jordan"
Il reckon that settles it," said Jor
dan, rising and buttoning his coat
"Please tell your mother goodby fo
me-" and he was gone.
'LOreny Farrell. what have yol
been and dOne?" demanded her mother
limping into the room in her stockin,
feet. You knows we'll as l do tha
Floyd never said nothing to nobod.
about you! The Blake girls made i
ali up, jealous cause you'd caught tn
likeliest young feller in the camp
You've driven him away for good thi
time. Hell keep his word-he alway
dOes-and go to the States'
She re-entered the bedroom for he
shoes, and LOrena steaIthily opened til
door and looked after her lovers re
treating figure. He had almost reache,
the bluff. If he passed it she knew
she would never see him again. Some
thing stirred in her throat The lon
stretch of trail that ran away throug
the dreary landscape seemed like he
life. and Floyd was going out of i
Her heart yearned for him. Wha
would her life be without him?
"LOreny. where are you?" called Mrs
Farrell, emerging from the bedroom
fully shod. The girl was not in th
room. Her mother opened the door an
looked out, but a wall of whirlin
white met her vision
''My GOd! she gasped. "The child