The Dolores star., 1910-03-18
In the TwinkliI,g
of an Eye
By HELEN N. cIvENs
Copyright. BY Short stories CO., Ltd)

Copyright. BY Short Stories Co.. Ltd.J
Lal Oliver came to the cabin door
and looked out over the blackened
stumps OF the clearing. wrapping her
bare arms In her apron as she felt the
chill autumnal air Of the Sierra. Her
eyes vaguely followed the smoke Of
n forest fire not far away in the tim.
ber: but a listlessness In the attitude
OF her tall, well-knit figure indicated
lack Of interest In her surroundings
reaching deeper than the mere indif
ference Of custom.
When a man appeared at the edge
OF the clearing and vaulted over the
fence, the watching In which there
had been neither hope nor desire was
ended. for she turned from the door.
busying herself about the dinner keep
Ing warm upon the hearth.
Despite the wood-chopper's slouch
/ In his shoulders, he looked q son Of
| the forest, tall and powerful. When
he entered the cabin his dinner was
on the table. He looked at his wife
tentatively. but her shoulder was
turned toward him and she gaxed per.
sistently out of the window; no he
sat down and ate, casting occasional
glances at her motionless iigure. A
hound had stolen In and crouched
near him. watching with slaverins
Jaws eager for morsels. He found his
master unresponsive.
oliver had an air OF nerving him.
self as he said: Il heard Dave Erick.
son was back
There was no response. Taking out
. pouch he began fiifns his pipe. push.
ing down the tobacco with an un.
steady thumb. He knew Lal had seen
Dave. Nevertheless he felt goaded
10 ask "Has he been herey
YES"
He drew long whiY from his pips
before he asked. doggedly pushing his
questioning. what did he come f0rf''
As the woman turned, her husband
shrank yisibly under the lash Of her
eyes.
"He came to tell me you had iied.' .
she replied with deliberation.
His. huge numbering frame was
trembling. as oliver stumbled up from
the hearth. steadying himself against
. chair. "Lal. he--told-"
She confronted him like some sore.
y wounded wild thing.
'Everything--the whole story. The
message calm him to his dyin' moth.
er: the letter he sent to me by you
II didn't reach me-"
lnvoluntarily he glanced toward .
cleft In log over the fireplace. then
looked hastily away. moisteninE his
dry lips. She went on unheedinE.
Why should ! talk? You know II
ali--how the old hags about the noun.
tains jeercd and gossiped over their
pipes because he'd left me almost on
the weddin'.day." She broke into .
mirthless laugh. But you we're will.
In enough to take what they said he'd
hung away. You devil. you've ruined
my life."
Don't say II. I.al!" he cried, en-.
treatingly. "God knows I've loved you
always. You'd never give me any
Representatives you seemed to hate
me; and then at last when you'd
grown n little kinder and I thought
maybe you'd learn to cnre for me-
Dave came and I saw II was all up
with me-"
The woman's face darkened and she
broke In with fierce heat. "All's up
with you now. Don't you see Il? n
you were half man you would"
"Lal." he said. at last. Il don't deny
I've wronged you"
You don't dare" she interrupted.
sneerineiy.
"But I've done my best since. to
make you happy"
your hast! you've done your worst
You've parted mo from the only man
In the world I could have cared for.
Any other woman would have done
for you"
Hs started up with . gesture Of pro
test. but she went on. why couldn't
you've let me alone7 Any of the girls
on the Fiat would've married you fos
the askin'. Why must you pick out the
only one who didn't care?" she nune
up her arms despairingiy. Il can't
breathe In the same house With you
FIJI leave"
Oliver caught her arm. "i4ai, you'd
never leave mc-You're my wtfs-i--"
You count on thatr" she cried.
what do care for = few words said
over us--lies. lies all! I hive Dave.
I'm no wife of yours"
Enc flung him oR and ran out q ths
cabin.
TAs sasss x ~ fsssst Ass ~