Charlevoix county herald., 1909-10-16
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down the tree, one hand gripping the
clay pot in which he had gathered the
eggs. What you doing out in the
! sun? Get into the shade"
| She stepped into the shade and
waited until he had climbed down the
| pile of stones which he had built for
steps at the foot of the tree.
"Mr. Blake" she began, could not
/ do this work-gather the eggs?"
"You could, if I'd let you, Miss
| Jenny. But it strikes me you've got
quite enough to do. Tell you the
truth, I'd like to make Win take it in
hand again. But all my cussing won't
bulge him an inch, and, you know,
when it comes to the rub, 1 couldn't
wallop fellow who can hardly
stand up
rs he really so weak?" she MUIR
| INJURED.
well, YOU know how Say, you
don't mean that you think he's sham
ming?"
Il did not say that thought so, Mr..
Blake. l do not care to talk about
him. What l wish is that you will let
me attend to this work"
Couldn't think of it, Miss Jenny!
You're already doing your share"
''Mr. Blake-if you must know
wish to have a place where 1 can go
and be apart-alone."
Blake scowled. alone with that
dude! He'd soon find enough strength
to climb up with you on the cliff"
'T-ah-Mr. Blake, would he be apt
to follow me, if l told you distinctly
should rather be alone?"
would he? Well, l should rather
guess mott" cried Blake. making no
attempt to conceal his delight. I'll
give him hint that'll make his hair
curl. From now on, nobody climbs
up this tree but you, without first ask
ing your permission
Thank you, Mr.. Blake! You are
very kind"
Kind to let you do more work! But
say, I'll help out all can on the other
work You know, Miss Jenny-a
rough fellow like me don't know how
to say it, but he can think it just the
same-Pd do anything in the world
for you!"
AS he spoke, he held out his rough,
powerful hand. She shrank back a
little and caught her breath in sud-
den fright. But when she met his
steady gaze, her fear left her as quick
ly as it had come. She impulsively
thrust out her hand and he seized it in
a grip that brought the tears to her
eyes.
Miss Jenny! Miss jenny" he muir
INJURED, utterly unconscious that he
was hurting her, you know now that
I'm your friend, Miss jenny"
Eyes, Mr.. Blake" she answered,
blushing and drawing her hand free. 81
believe you are friend-I believe /
can trust you"
You can, by-Jiminy! But say"
he continued, laundering with dense
stupidity, "do you really mean that?
Can you forgive me for being so con-
founded meddlesome the other day
after the snake"
He stopped short, for upon the in
slant she was facing him, as on that
eventful day, scarlet with shame and
) anger.
How dare you speak Of it," she
| cried. "You're-you're not a gentle
mani"
Before he could reply she turned and
left him, walking rapidly and with her
head held high. Blake stared after
her in bewilderment.
We'll what in-what in thunder
have l done now?" he exclaimed. La
| air1x t,aio oh
go off at a touch-and just when /
thought we were going to be chums!
But then, of course, I've the whole
thing to learn about nice girls-like
her!"
T-ah-must certainly agree with
you there, Blake" drawled Winthrope,
from beside the nearest bush.
Blake turned upon him with savage
fury: You dirty sneak!-you gentle
man! You've been eavesdropping!"
The Englishman's yellow face paled
to a sallow notified gray. He had
seen the same look in Blake's eyes
twice before, and this time Blake was
far more angry.
You sneak,-you sham GENT" re-
peated the American, his voice sink
ing ominously.
WINTHROP dropped in an abject
heap, as though Blake had struck him
with his club.
mo, no." he protested, shrilly. Il
am a real-I AMIN not
That's it-you're a not! That's
true!" broke in Blake, with sudden
grim humor You're nothing. A
fellow can't even wipe his shoes on
nothing!"
: The change to sarcasm came as an
immense relief to Winthrope.
"Ah. / say now, Blake" he drawled.
pulling together his assurance the in
slant the dangerous light left Blake's
! eyes, 81 say, now, do you think 1t fair
to pick on a man who is so much your
-er-who is iii and weak?"
(TO BE CoNTINUED)