The Hattiesburg news., 1910-02-09

gathered It up, while I held q row of
little shell combs and pins, and when
II was done 1t was vastly becoming,
too Funny about hair: A man nevev
knows he has it until he begins 70
lose It, but it's different with girl,
Something Of the unconventional situ.
alton began to dawn on her as she put
In the last hair pin and patted some
stray locks to place.
Il have not told you my name,"
she said abruptly. Il forgot that be-
cause know who you are, you know.
nothing about me. am Alison West,
and my home is in Richmond"
30 that was It! This was the girl
OF the photograph on John Gilmore's
bedside table. The girl Mcknight ex.
pected to see in Richmond the next
day, Sunday! She was on her way
back to meet him! Well, what differ
ence did 1t make. anyhow? We had
been thrown together BY the merest
chance In an hour or two at the
most we would be back in civilization
and she would recall me, II she re-
membered me at all, as an unshaven
creature in red cravat and tan shoes.
with soiled Pullman sheet tied
around my neck. drew a deep
breath.
Just a twinge," said, when she
glanced up quickly. Its very good
Of you to let me know, Miss West.
have been hearing delightful things
about you for three months"
From Richey Mcknight" She was
frankly curious.
Yes. From Richey Mcknight"
assented. Was it any wonder Nc.
Knight was crazy about her? l dug
my heels into the dust.
Il have been visiting near Cresson.
In the mountains" Miss West was say
ing. THE person you mentioned. Mrs.
Curtis, was my hostess. We've
were on our way to Washington to-
gether." She spoke slowly, as if she
wished to give the minimum of expla-
nation. Across her face had come
again the battling expression of per-
plexity and trouble I had seen before.
| You were on your way home, I sup
poser Richey-spoke about seeing
you," foundered, finding 1t necessary
to say something. She looked at nae
with level. direct eyes.
mo" she returned quietly. II did
not intend to 60 home. I-well, 1t
doesn't matter; am going home
now"
A woman in a calico dress, with
two children, each an exact duplicate
Of the other. had come quickly down
the road. She took in the situation al
glance, and was explosively hospit
able.
"You poor things" she said. III
you'll take the first road to the left
over there, and turn in at the second
pigsty, you will find breakfast on the
table and a coffee pot on the stove
And there's plenty of soap and water
too. Don't say one word. There ISM
soul there to see you"
We accepted the invitation and she
hurried on toward the excitement ant
the railroad. l got up carefully ant
helped Miss West to her feet.
"At the second pigsty to the left"
repeated, I'VE will find the breakfas
promised you seven eternities ago
Forward to the pigsty!"
We said very little for the remand
er of that walk. 1 had almost reached
the limit of endurance; with ever!
step the broken ends Of the BON
, grated together. We found the farm
house without difficulty, and remem
ber wondering If could hold out t.
the end Of the old stone walk that lie,
between hedges to the door.
Allah be praised" l said with al
the voice could muster Behold tn
coffee pot!" And then put down tn
cup and folded up like a jack-knife o.
! the porch floor.
When I came around something ho
was trickling down my neck, and
despairing voice was saying, "Oh,
don't seem to be able to pour it int
your mouth. Please open your eyes.
But I don't want 1t in my eyes,"
replied dreamily 81 haven't any ide
what came over me. It was the shoes
think; the left one is a red hot tol
ture." was sitting by that time an
looking across into her face.
Never before or since have I fain
ed, but would do 1t joyfully, a doze
times day, If could waken agai
to the blissful touch of soft fingers o
my face, the hot ecstasy of coffe
spilled by those fingers down my necl
There was thrill in every tone G
her voice that morning. Before Ion
: my loyalty to Mcknight would ste
between me and the girl he loved
: life would develop new complexities
}. In these early hours after the wrecl
: full of pain as they were, there wa
nothing of the suspicion and distrus
that came later. Shorn Of our gauds an
= baubles, we were primitive man an
woman, together; our world for tn
!. hour was the deserted farmhouse, tn
7 slope of wheatfield that led to tn
road, the woodland lot, the pasture.
We breakfasted together across tn
I homely table. Our cheerfulness, 9
! first sheer reaction. became less force
Il |