Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-24

aware that half score of men, equally
mild and stoical and, by chance perhaps,
armed for hunting, were making their
way toward them.
AS the two old men eyed each other in
silence. the thickets parted and, one by
one, the expected men emerged. They
paused. quite naturally, as though drawn
by the discussion and curious as to its
outcome
II want to move that grave off my
land Grohsman insisted. after scanning
the faces of the intruders carefully. "Out
west where l come from people stopped
throwing their folks on the prairie twenty
years ago. They bury them decently in
cemeteries and church yards. l don't
want any of your people taking up a
IN vas rettne e bes Of h
Dunno but you're right" the Squire
rejoined. calmly. "onliest there's time
enough to move him es aire graved there
when you get TIL Rainbow.
I've got 1T now. was the angry re-
tort. And I tell you right now I'm not
to be chiseled out of part of my purchase
because you are too stupid to understand
the line.
Seems like I'm mostly too stupid" as
serted the Squire in misleading meekness
of voice. ito understan' how YOU can get
my land. savin' you bespeak me and pass
some money long of it."
Il don't expect you to see even as far
as your nose Squire Gray. but II evict
you with a sheriff's posse. I'll have the
law on you.'
THE sheriff are good enough. but he
and his men don't get this far on tn
mountain-they get squandered mighty
afore they hit tn TRAIL the Squire re-
minded him.
I'm western man. used to holding my
claim by main force. We were as law
less as you are before We were civilZed,'
Grohsman answered. bristling with the
rekindled spirit of adventure. This is
the dividing line. l say! I'm no fool, if
you are,''
The Squire half closed his eyes and
stood in seeming inability to find a
ply. The men behind him remained mo-
tionless.
MY haid aire monstrous thick,
stranger" he drawled, finally. I'm not
denying that. But ! mostly hold TO my
say-so, which aire that your line goes
tother side tn Rainbow"
MOLLY. daughter" he added. without
turning his head. 1.-THE buck must have
gone to tn big timber. Go arter him"
Molly dropped out Of the group without
disturbing its rigid pose. Apparently no
one noticed her departure. The girl COM
pretended that the time for talk was
over as far az the mountaineers were con-
cerned. Looking back as she turned into
the big timber, she saw the wrathiuI
stranger advance step in rash defiance.
In an instant every weapon of the noun
taineers was leveled at him and his men.
Their dull stolfdity of moment before
was viviied into a menace fierce and
fiery. Molly averted her eyes and ran
swiftly into the big woods. needless o.
everything except that she must get
away-so Needless that she ran squarely
against Martin Grohsman as he stepped
from behind an immense oak.
wait, Molly wait. l came here to see
you he called to her. You are run
ming like a wild deer. ! wanted to say to
you that you mustn't blame grandfather.
He thinks the land is his"
Molly paused in her flight and faced
Martin.
How can he when It's been fathers
always" she flung back with conviction.
But, Molly, needn't quarrel. /
don't care a fig about Rainbow mountain.
They're all grand enough for me after the
fiat prairies. Let them settle 1t as they
like Let us he friends Won't YOU?
Molly smiled forgivingly. 1t was hard
to hold resentment against Martin.
You understan don't you, Martin"
she explained that's the Fighting
| Ground and Hannah Hanks says the men
| killed there were all carried away. saw
| ing this one. I can't say rightly how he
| caue TO be left. but mother put wild vio-
| lets and honeysuckle and lilies from the
marsh over his grave. because he's so
| lonesome like though he amt one of our
| men. flower his grave now, Martin.
i stead of mother, every year. l fault
| your grandfather for wantin' the Rain
| bow and threatenin' to have the grave
| moved-onlest l hope father won't hurt
| him"
Just promise friends with me. Mollyo"
| he pleaded.
| dunno but what / WILL the girl cap