Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-06-10
Leisha's Choice



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.
"To-morrow -
sWell-er-perhaps.-
HIS face ciouded.
you haven't been riding with me
lately" he said slowly. Its that Ran
don"
He bit Oh the last savagely.
Now Dani Not jealousf No, you
are too big for that"
She hesitatsd. lingering the strap
In her hand.
'T am going down to Hilton with
Mr.. Random today" she said at last,
adding hastily. Z win go 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
. pleading hand.
"Cross7" she queried gently. I'VE
arc too good friends TO quarrel"
NO" he said shortly; then he
reached suddenly for her hand and
crushed It nercely.
"Tll tomorrow" he said. and put
ting spurs to his horse, he rode OF
down the trail.
Leisha watched him out of sight,
an slowly went back to the house.
An hour later Ehe was OF with Ran
elisha thrilled as she looked up at
,raight fgure. The significance Of
day was very obvious to her. Shs
0 meet Randon's mother and sis
ard see the manner in which they
in Hilton. Next week they
4 return to their home in New
E.. :, and Random, his health recover
would go back to business there.
Acy came into town about noon.
wzs q mushroom Western town,
rf,Hg up over night in plain below
hills. At one end we're a group ol
villas, with tiny strips Of lawn
vide cool awnings. To the noun
bred girl they were palatial. and
.r instructive refinement rose to
ct the occasion. She summoned the
nners Of her Eastern school days
her assistance as they swept up be-
re the most pretsntlous Of the vii
g.
Mrs. Random came out to meet
iSem, and the girl crimsoned before
il e patroniEing curiosity Of her gaze.
"Thia Is Miss Fenton.T said Ran
N. and there was pride in his tones
The girl felt the chilling reserve in
mothers response, and her face
ew hotter. She thought Of her
-Nort, rough skirt and high, stout
oots. She did not know how bright
er eyes were, how pink her cheeks,
row her lips curled up attempting
curves, and her brows arched in pen
c.'led lines against her forehead.
Randon's sister was better. She
vas a frank. happy girl, but Leisha
JAILED before the unconscious ease of
J " manner. the elegant simplicity of
} sr dress.
They had luncheon in the cool, ex-
iisite dining room. Random sat be-
de hts guest and sought to put her
her ease, but In these surroundings
! g too had assumed terrifying proper
ons. and she did not breathe freely
Il they were well on their way back
And then he told her what she had
ing suspected; that he loved her.
81 don't know" she, faltered, 81 can
rot tell you now. think am lit
tie confused
His answering glance was quizzi
cally tender.
II understand" he said gently, y
will wait till Friday.
When he lifted her from her horse
he pushed back her curls and kissed
er forehead.
81 Will wait TN Friday" he repeat
d, and was on. brave. bright pic
tire of self-assurance.
It was early when Dan came fol
leT In the morning, the dew hardly
dry on the grass.
His face was very stern, a contrast
ID her own mood Of gayety. For some
ieason she was hlled with bubblinl
i-repressiblo Joy. She alternatel,
flng and ehafsd the silent figure BY
er side. her laughter echoiug fal
Gown the trail before them.
In the place they had known foi
years, they tethered the horses. anS
God looking out on the wide, West
en- country which swept beneath the
ledge on which their feet were rest
Ing. Struck dumb by the grandeur
sbout her. the girls mood Of laughter
FED. Leaning one shoulder againS
projecting boulder, the man looke'
Gown at the thoughtful little face be
side him.
"Leisha,~ he said, and his voicl
he'd a note Of resignation that di,
10. escape her, 'T've thought It owe
and guess haven't anything to offe
With Random. He can give you every
thing, while I-it1i be this always
Iaost likely. But want to tell yol
this, Leisha. seems as II / must tel
you this Just once, love you girl.
love you."
With 4 sudden gesture he caugh
her shoulders in either hand and look
ed down at her with all the fierce IN
tensity Of rough. young passion.
To LeishR came tho vision OF Mrs
Random, supercilious, condescendina
The walls Of the splendid house seem
ed suddenly to lower about and smoth
er her. She raised her head an
there vas the country she loved, tn
face she had always known and trust
ed, and with a little laugh that va
half a sob. she laid her cheek agains
Dams shoulder.-HEI.EN IRWIN.
Snake Story.
Before he went fishin,." said tn
town story teller. "he swallowed 'bou