Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-06-25

stock still on the threshold.
"Ttold you never to wear that dress
again. he said i'll dry, harsh voice.
The girl made no answer, for her
heart was breaking, but turned and
went into her room. Burrell had an
irresistible desire to tell Gale that he
wanted his daughter for his wife 1t
would be an unw0nted pleasure to
startle this iron gray old man and the
shavled and stumbling mummy OF
red. with the unwinking eyes that al
WAYS reminded him of two oXheart
cherries. but he had given Necia his
promise SO he descended to the eX-
change of ordinary topics and inquired
for the news Of the creek.
"Necia's ground is getting better ey-
ery hour" the trader said. Yesterday
they found sixty dollar pan.
"Have You struck pay on yours"
"No: Poleon and | seem to hold bad
hands. Some of his laymen are quit
ting work. They've cross cut in half
q dozen places and can't find color"
Gale went to Necia's door and called
her, but when she appeared he was I'M
prepared for the tragic face with which
she greeted him.
"Daughter." he said, don't feel bad
over what said. didn't mean to be
cross with you. butt don't like that
dress"
"Wcre you cross with me. daddy"
she said duly. 81 didn't hear What
did you say"
lie looked at her in amazement. NE
cia, little girl, what is the trouble"
She was staring past him, and her
fingers were fumbling helplessly with
the lace of her gown. but she began TO
show signs of collapse.
81 sent him away.-I-gave him UP.
when lie wanted me-wanted me Oh,
daddy. he wants to marry me-and ]
sent him away"
"He asked you to marry him in-in-
I'm spite Of who you are and what |
am"
Eyes; he is ready to give up his am
bition. his army. his future. his family
everything. for me-to sacrifice it ali,
and so, of course, | couldn't let him"
She spoke simply. as if her father
would surely understand and approve
her action, while in her voice was a
note of inevitable resignation. you
see, | never understood what my blood
x,,o,,II ,,oo,,, 70 him, ,,r,til tonipbf Two
been selfish and thoughtless. | guess.
Just wanted him. and wanted him to
take me, but now that he is mine |
love him more than | thought. He is
so dear to me that | can't drag him
down. can't can'tw She went to
the open door and stood leaning
against the casing, facing the cool out
er darkness, her face hidden from
them. her form sagging YEARLY. as if
the struggle had Slapped her whole
strength.
Alluna crept to the trader and look
ed up at him eagerly whispering:
"This will end in Il little while. John
She is young. She can go back to the
mission tomorrow She will soon for
get"
Forget, Do you think she can for
get?'
"Any woman can forget. Only men
remember"
"It is the red blood in you-lying
You know YOU lie.'
1T is to save your life" she said.
81 know, but it's no use" To Necia
ne said, you needn't worry. little
daughter" But her ears were deaf.
you needn't give him up. say. This
will end all right"
Seeing that she gave no sign of heed
ing. he stepped closer and swung her
about till she faced him.
"Can't you trust me this one timei
You always have before, Necia. l say
he'll marry you. and it will come out
right"
She raised her hopeless eyes and
strOvG samely to meet him, then, fail
ing, broke away and turned back to
the door. 81 knew you couldn't under
stand. LILO God, l love him SOL"
With cry like that Of a wounded ami
NAL she fed out into the night, where
she could give vent to her anguish I'M
seen, for she had never wept before
her father, but always crept away and
hid herself until her grief was spent.
Gale would have started after her, but
Alluna dragged him back fercely.
mo, no! 1t means your life, John.
Let the secret die, and she will for
get. She is so young. Time will cure
her. Time cures everything. Don't
tell her, don't tell any one. and, above
oil, don't tell that soldier. He would
not believe, nor would she. Even l
have doubted"
Your
Eyes, John. And, If don't believe,
what is a stranger to say! No man
knowing you would believe the tale
without proof. Suppose she doubted.
Have you ever thought Of that? Would
you not rather have her die still low
ing you than live and disbelieveY'
eyes, yesl OF course 1--we thought
Of that, but Woman, you're worse
than rattlesnakew
even if he knew, he might not
marry her. You at least are clean,
and that other man was devil A
brave mans life is too great price to
pay for grief that will die in year"
Alluna was speaking swiftly in her
own language, her body tense, her
face ablaze, and no man seeing her
could ever again have called her peo-
pie StOlid.