Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-12-13

were as blue as the sky overhead The
black OF her hat made frame for her
delicate skin. tinted with bloom aud
warmed by the sun. Slender and 1.-THE,
she swayed In the saddle with a grace
that was only equaled by her dancing.
Sorry. honey. but it's pay day. you
know. The old mans got to stay home
and work this morning Don't 80 too
far. And got your gun handyY
Molly patted the belt at her trim
waist. where a small revolver CLEANED
In the holster. Right here. dad. III
be home in time for dinner. So iongw
Don't let any fairy princes run
away with you. daughter" admonish.
ed Jim. You know ! worry lot
about that prince that's coming after
my little gal some day" There was
more gravity than fun In Jim's voice.
and Molly felt that this old. old jest
between them was becoming a serious
matter TO her father
She urged Daisy to the foot OF the
steps and licked her father lightly on
the shoulder with her whip. Dad,
dear. really believe YOU are worried.
I've never even seen the manor
prince-fd leave you for. There, are
you satisfied He leaned down and
kissed her lovely, laughing face, and a
warm smile lighted his grim features.
God bless you. darling. | want you
10 be happy. but hope IL will be many
u day before the prince does come.
I'm selfish old brute. ehY'
Not Bit dad. And when he does
come well set him to work In the
fields and live right along with YOU"
With laughing, backward glance
Molly rode away toward the fields OF
tall corn that had not yet fallen prey
10 the swapping reapers
A thousand acres OF corn whisper.
ing in the wind, IL was like thick
forest. thought Molly. as Daisy thread
cd her way daintily through the tall
stalks.
Overhead the yellowed leaves rustled
crisply. On either side they reached
long. huttering fingers TO brush Molly's
rose leaf face or TO touch a lock of her
soft hair. Her eyes grew dreamy as
she listened to the whispering. and a
look came into her face-a look that
her father had never seen.
Molly had had her day dreams-in-
deed, she haG dreamed OF lover who
came out OF a fascinating world Of
which she had caught mere glimpse
IN her school days. The prince who
would come and claim her one day
would come spinning down the state
road In u motorcar. Handsome he
would be and merry and rollicking as
so many of those gay automobilists APP
peared to be.
But when 1t came to the wrench of
parting with her dear father Molly's
dream always changed TO one where
the dashing motorist became enamored
of farm life and elected to settle down
at Wade's ranch for lifetime, with q
huge red car stabbed among the horses.
All at once Molly drew rein and lis
tened TO a sound other than the sigh
ing OF the corn. There was the thud.
tbud. of hoofs In another aisle near by.
Perhaps 1t was her father. or, at any
rate. IL would be one OF the men from
the ranch.
"Hellow called Molly unsteady.
Hello" came back in q mans deep
toice.
AS the man lifted his battered felt
hhb ilidl NC was a
ger. and her cheeks grew warm under
the gaze of his dark eyes. He was
very good to look upon, young and
straight and strong. with sun Drowned
face and chestnut hair His blue fan
mel shirt was open at the throat. and
the skin below the collar was smooth
and white. From the saddle bow
swung n bundle rolled I'm a blanket.
II nm afraid I've lost my way"
said the stranger pleasantly. 1--WE
beer wandering in this cornfeld for
.be inst three hours. Perhaps you car
direct me to wade's place, or is It DOS.
sible you are lost tooT"
Molly smiled and shook her head. ."
can show you the way easily. I an
MIR. Wade's daughter" she explained
over her shoulder as the little mare
walked on.
The stranger turned his horse into
the aisle behind Molly and followed
close in her wake.
MY name is Norton-Scott Norton"
he said after a little pause I'm look
ing for work in the fields. 1 was tolo
Mr.. Wade needed help"
NS "VcS' dSsenteu Molly eager!
They wan, TO make crop before tn
10th. and father was wishing thi,
morning for half u dozen extra men"
IL am very glad" said Norton.
Something in the tone Of his voice
thrilled MOlly's tender heart. Sh
knew as plainly as If he had told be
In so many words that me had been (.
hard luck and that nc bad Travelled Il
long distance in search OF this job
The miserable beast he rode was
scarecrow. probably purchased with
his last penny.
They came to the edge OF the corn
deld and emerged into well beaten
road bordered on either side by corn.