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

beyond, just IN the shadows edCs.
Love! Time! Why, Alluua, love is
the only thing in the world that never
dies. ard time only makes it the more
enduring"
He tool; up the white SLOUGH hat he
had thrown down when he came in
and stepped to the door
"Where are you going?" inquired the
sQuaw fearfuily.
'"To the barracks to give myself up"
She flung herself at him, with great
cry, and seized him about the waist.
You never loved me. John. but |
have been Il good woman to you, al
though | knew you were always think
ing Of her-and had no thought of me.
I have loved this girl because you
loved her. | have hated your enemies
because you hated them. and now
remember, while you forget"
Forget! What do you moan"
STARK
The man paused. 81 did almost for
get hin-and after fifteen years"
Let us kill him tonight; then we
will go to the soldier together, side 10y
side l am your woman. Necia will
look after the little ones.
Gale stared at her, and as he gaZed
the red pigment underneath her skin,
the straight hanging, manclike hair,
the gaudy shawl she never went with
out, the shapelcss, skin shod feet, the
slovenly, i'll fitting garb of miscast
woman vanished, AID he saw her as
she was on 4 day long past. slim,
shy, silent creature, with great. watch
full, trusting eyes and soul unSpOiled.
No woman had ever been so loyal, so
accomplishing He had robbed her OF
her people and her gods. He had
shifted hither and yon at the call of
his uncertain fortune CT at sign Of
that lurking fear that always logged
him, and she had never left his side.
never questioned, never doubted, but
always served him like a slave, with
out asking for part in that other
love, without sharing in the caresses
he had consecrated to a woman she
had never seen.
by heaven. you're game. Alluna,
but there's limit even to what | can
take from you" he said ut last. II
don't ever seem to have noticed it be-
fore. but there is. No. I've got to do
this thing alone tonight, all CT it, for
you have no place in it, and can't let
the little girl 60 on like this. The
sooner that soldier knows the better"
He leaned down. and touched her
brown mouth with his grizzled lips.
Thank you, Alluna, for making man
Of me when I'd nearly forgotten. Now,
you stay here" He knew he could
count On her Obedience. and so he left
her. When he had gone she drew the
shawl up over her face ard crouched
in the doorway, straining her eyes aft
er him through the dark In time she
began to rock and sway and then to
chant until the night moaned with the
death song of her people.
Necia had no idea whittier she went.
Her only thought was to fee from her
kin. who could not understand; to hide
under cover in some solitary place: to
let the darkness swallow her up. so
that she might give way to her grief
and be just a poor weak woman. On
she stumbled bindly through the murk
like some fair creature Of light cast
out and banished.
She had not succeeded in thoroughly
.solating herself, however, for man
who was steering his course by The
tense of feel and the winds direction
heard her and paused. His steps were
muffied in the soft footing, so that
she had no warning Of his presence
until he was near enough to distin-
guish her dimly where she leaned
against the log wall of half complet-
cd cabin.
To his question, whats the trouble
here" she made no answer, but moved
away, whereupon he detained her.
There's something wrong. Who are
you anyhow
ITS only Necia, Mr. Stark" said
the girl. at which he advanced and
took her by the arm.
What ailS you. child? What in the
world are you doing here? Come!
C,tn tn INV
must come in and rest awhile, and
you'll soon be all right. Why, you'll
break your neck in this darkness"
She hung back, but he compelled her
to so with him in spite of her unwill-
ingness.
"Now, now," he admonished. with
unusual kindness for him; "you
know you're my little friend, and l
can't let you so on this way. It's scan
dalous. won't stand for it. like
you too much"
He led her inside his cabin and
closed the door in the face of the night
wind before he struck light.
Il can't stand to see you cry he re.
peated as he adjusted the wick. "Now,
as soon as He stopped in astonish-
ment, for he had turned to behold in
stead of the little half breed girl this
slender, sorrowful stranger in her
amazingly wonderful raiment.
by He checked himself insensi-
bly, and stood motionless for long
time.
T-I-hope you'll excuse me for act
ing this way" she smiled at him pite-
ously; then, observing'his strange fea-
lures: "Why, what is the matter. Mr..
Stark? Are you angryW
TI;o bo fam mos or In ad nd