Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-04-15
Leisha's Choice

mefflmenl on the FiSltof VINO nau
swung from his horse, and tapped the
step with his whip to attract her at
tention At his eager inquiry, she
shook her head.
Not to-day. Dan" she said gently.
Tomorrow"
perhaps"
His face elouded.
you haven't been riding with me
lately" he said slowly. tits that Ran
don"
He bit OF the last savagely.
Now, DAM Not jealous7 No. you
are too big for that"
She hesitated. lingering the strap
in her hand.
Il am going down to Hilton With
Mr.. Random today" she said at last
adding hastily, Il will so with you to
morrow. Dan. Up to the old place
He turned In silence, and mounted
his horse very slowly.
The girl ran out to him, and put up
a pleading hand.
"Cross?" she uueried gently. ''wt
are too good friends to quarrel"
NO" he said shortly; then b.
reached suddenly for her hand and
crushed it fiercely.
"Tll tomorrow. he said. and put.
ting spurs to his horse, he rode ot
down the trail.
Leisha watched him out OF sight
then slowly went back TO the house
An hour later she was of with Ran
don.
Leisha thrilled as she looked up az
his straight figure. The significance Of
that day was very obvious to her. She
was to meet Randon's mother and sis
ter. and see the manner in which thel
lived in Hilton Next week they
would return to their home in New
York. and Random, his health recove.
ed. would go back to business there
They came into town about noon
Il was a mushroom Western town
sprung up over night IN a plain below
| the hills. At one end we're a group o.
white villas. with tiny strips of lawr
and wide cool awnings. To the noun
tain-bred girl they were palatial, an
| her instructive refinement rose tc
meet the occasion. She summoned the
manners OF her Eastern school days
to her assistance as they swept up be
| fore the most pretcnuous OF the vii
/ las.
Mrs. Random came out to meet
them. and the girl crimsoned before
/ the patronizing curiosity Of her gaze.
This is Miss Fenton," said Ran
don. and there was pride in his tones
! The girl felt the chilling reserve iT
his mothers response. and her fac
grew hotter. She thought OF he
short, rough skirt and high. stou
boots. She did not know how brigh.
/ her eyes were. how pink her cheeks
how her lips curled up attempting
| curves. and her brows arched in pen.
] cilled lines against her forehead.
Randon's sister was better. Sh
was a frank. happy girl. but Leisha
oua led before the unconscious ease o.
her manner. the elegant simplicity o;
her dress.
They had luncheon in the cool. ex
! Cuisite dining room. Random sat be
| side his guest and sought to put he
It her ease, but in these surrounding
J. e 200 had assumed terrifying proper
tons. and she did not breathe freely
til they we're well on their way back
And then he told her what she had
ong suspected; that he loved her.
Il don't know" she faltered, Il can
rot tell you now. l think | am lit
lie confused"
His answering glance was QuiIEi
cslly tender.
Il understand" he said gently. q
win wait till Friday"
When he lifted her from her horse
he pushed back her curls and kissed
her forehead.
81 will wait till Friday" he repeat
ed, and was off, a brave. bright pic
ture of self-assurance.
II was early when Dan came fol
her in TIE morning. the dew hardly
dry on the grass.
His face was very stern, a contras'
to her c--l mood Of gayety. For some
recson she was filed with bubbllns
irrepressib,e joy. She alternatel!
sang and chafted the silent figure by
her side, her laughter echoing fai
down the trail before them.
In the place they had known f0l
years. they tethered the horses, ant
stood looking ont on the wide, West
ern country which swept beneath the
ledge on wh.ch their feet were rest
ing. Struck dumb by the grandeur
about her, the girls mood OF laughter
fed. Leaning one shoulder again =
a projecting boulder. the man looked
down at the thoughtful little face be
side him.
'Leishs," he said. and his voice
held a note OF resignation that dit
not escape her. I've thought It over
and I guess l haven't anything to Offer
with Random. He can give you every
thing, while I-it1l be this always
most likely. But want to tell you
this. Leisha, seems as II I must tel
you this just once. love you girl.
love you"
With a sudden gesture he caught
her shoulders in either hand and look
ed down at her with all the fierce in
tensity Of rough. young passion.
To Leisha came the vision OF Mrs
Random, supercilious. eondescending
The walls OF the splendid house seem
ed suddenly to lower about and smoth
er her She raised her head and
there was the country she loved, the
face she had always known and trust
ed. and with a little laugh that was
half a sob, she laid her cheek against
Dams houlder.-HELEN IRWIN.
A Dreary Land.