Omaha daily bee., 1911-06-18

woman has taken me for my cousin. The
first time l regretted it-now, upon my souli
wish were he"
She recoiled. and the light from the oren
door illumined my face "Oh! you aren't
Bram?"
I'm his cousin. Henry Morvan."
Mr.. Henry Morvan7" Her tone was not
flattering
Yes. I've lost my way. VIII you honor
me with your name?'
II am Katherine Arnold" she answered
very stifny. "Mr. Lawrence Arnolds sis
ttr-and this in Fairview."
Here was a pretty kettle of fish. IT
didn't know" I said. I'm almost a stran-
ger I'm the county. of course. 1 lost my
way, and stumbled on you entirely by &C
cident II you'll be good enough to direct
me toward Morvan, I need not trouble you
longer"
The girl seemed a little taken aback by
my possessed willingness to withdraw. She
hit her lip and gazed up at me uncertainty
She was very small-far too much so for
my taste-but exceedingly pretty. Her
blue eyes, fair hair, and oval face made a
charming picture against the light.
Il don't mean to be inhospitable," she
said hurriedly, but only yesterday you
attacked my brother, and can't pre-
tend"
ut was a fair fight" 1 interrupted.
MY brother is said to be the best boxer
in the county" she retorted. IF II had
been fair fight"
Again l broke in You seem to know
Bran well. When you next see him, got
i'm, 20 ali oh -ba
present And II you like, get him to explain
why 1 fought your brother"
Lawrence has told me that himself"
she cried. You were angry because-be-
cause he wouldn't let you treat one of your
tenants as you wished
l laughed shortly. ASK Bran TO explain
to you about that. too. In the meanwhile
have the pleasure to inform you that the
girl was married to one of my farmers. at
room today"
The blood rushed to her cheeks. IT know
It. sir-I saw the wedding" She nesitated,
blushing without any apparent reason. IT
was with Miss Ferris Dayton"
You are friend of hers, them" I
asked eagerly.
1--WE are dear friends" She frowned
But am OBTAINING you, SIR"
Il am nest happy"
I'm sorry 1 cannot say as much, Mr.
Morvan. The marriage Of your tenant
doesn't do away with the fact that you beat
my brother on her account"
ASK Bram," repeated. "If he tells You
the truth"
He always tells me the truth" she
flashed
"All the better, Miss Arnold, which is the
shorter road to Morvan, If you please?''
My touch Of temper served to dampen her
own.
Follow the turnpike" she answered less
haughtily DO you see that cottage light
down there?' Fcnr .u-f-.,.,, --
Yes"
you to the post road. Is there anything
else?"
'"rhanx you, no. know my way after
reach the postroad." 1 gave her formal
bow Kindly submit my apologies to Mr..
Arnold for my intrusion. and accept them
yours elf. Good night, madam"
She regarded me ruefully. Her loneliness
made her appreciate the company even Of
an enemy, yet she could not well detain
me-
Good night. SIR"
Always a sister, or wife, or sweetheart
to defend a man." 1 reflected as l rode
away, mo matter what a brute he may be.
Someone for every man, but me apparently.
That little witch seems to be on good
terms with Bran, too. Strange he never
mentions her"
suddenly remembered Bram's toast as
he had begun 1t in Mary Pedersen's cabin:
Here's to the Flower of Fairview." The
old beldame had taken it to be a toast to
Ferriss Dayton. but Bran had turned 1t off
to Sue Buckaloo and had made great
show of interest in the piner's daughter
Perhaps, after all. he had really meant it
TO be in praise of the Flower of Fairview,
Katherine Arnold.
81 wonder If she ever heard him roar, "A
girl, bottle. and a gum" unused. she
might change her mind about Cousin Bran
fielud."
The idea so tickled me that, when I had
found the crossway beyond the cottage and
was jogging comfortably along 1t, 1 began
to sing Justify.
"a girl, a bottle, and a gum
To make the seasons flit--
And OF the three. when all is done,
A girls the best of it."
I lifted my face toward the rising moon
and roared In Bram's most jovial manner
"A faithful hound. a gallant horse
That strains against the bit
Good Lord, Squire" said a voice at my
horses nose, I'VE hope one OF you gifts the
gel-but don't wake the dead to tell em
about It, so to speak"
My startled glance fell upon a group OF
men moving along the road. Wrapped up
In my emulation OF Bran, had ridden into
their midst unawares. Six or seven men on
foot trudged beside single horseman.
As looked an awful thrill went through
me-the men were without heads! And
then l realized the truth-exery mans head
was covered by a black bag. 1t was Pine
Owl and his men!
At the same moment, they, too. per-
eeived their mistake. A fierce yen went up.
IT'S the other The new squire! It's
himl" They rushed upon me from all