Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1911-01-28
CHAPTER IX-(Continued.)

shower some; and paw ii XIII me II
amt home time to get his supper"
Here was an end of the playtime, and
Tom helped industriously with the ber-
ry-picking, wondering the while why
she kept her face turned from him, and
why his brain was In such turmoil,
and why his hands shook so If they
happened to touch hers in reaching for
the piggin.
But this new mood of hers was more
unapproachable than the other; and 1t
was not until the piggin was filled, and
they had begun to retrace their steps
together through the fragrant wood,
that she let him see her eyes again,
and told him soberly of her troubles;
how she was is and could neither read
nor write; how the workmen's children
In Gordonia hooted at her and called
her mountain cracker when she went
down to buy meal or to fill the molas-
ses jug; and, lastly, how, since her
mother had died, her father had work.
ed little and drunk much, till at times
there was nothing to eat save the po-
tatoes she raised in the little patch
back OF the cabin, and the berries she
picked on the mountain side.
Il hain't never told anybody afore,
and you mustn't tell, Tom. But times
I'm scared paw ii up and kill me when
when he amt feelin' just right. He's
some good to me when he amt red
eyed; but that amt very often, nova
days"
Toms heart swelled within him. and
this time 1t was not the heart Of the
Pharisee. There is no lure known to
the man part of the race that is half
so potent as the tale of woman In
trouble.
"Does-does he beat you. Nan?" he
asked; and there was wrathful horror
in his voice.
For answer she bent her head and
parted the thick black locks over
long scar
That's where he give me one with
the skillet. year come Christmas.
And this"-opening her frock to show
him a black-and- BLUE bruise on her
breast-'it what I got only day afore
yesterday"
Tom was burning with indignant
compassion. and bursting because he
could think of no adequate way of ex-
pressing 1t. In all his fifteen years no
one had ever leaned on his before, and
the sense of protectorship over this
abused one budded and bloomed like a
Juggler's rose.
Il wish I could take you home with
me, Man." he said, simply.
mo. you don't" she said. firmly.
Your nanny would call me a little
heather. same as she used to; and I
reckon that's what AMI hain't had
no chanst to be anything else. And
you're goin' to be a preacher, Tom"
Why did It rouse a. dull anger in his
heart to be thus reminded Of his own
MI Ia n fc
under the shadowing cedars? He could
not tell; but the fact remained
You, hear me. Nan; I'm going to
take care OF you when I'm able. No
matter what happens, I'm going to take
care of you" was what he said; and
low rumbling of thunder and a spat-
tering of rain on the leaves punctuated
the promise.
She looked away and was silent
Then. when the rain began to come
faster; Let's run. Tom. l don't mind
gettin' wet; but you mustn't"
They reached the great rock shelter
ing the arrel-spring before the shower
broke In earnest. and Tom led the way
TO the right. Halfway up its southern
face the big boulder held a water worn
cavity. round, and deeply followed. and
carpeted with cedar needles. Tom
climbed in first and gave her a hand
from the mouth of the little cavern.
When she was up and in, there was
room in the nest-like hollow, but none
TO spare. And on the instant the sum-
mer shower shut down upon the noun
tain side and closed the cave mouth as
with thick curtain.
There was no speech in that little II. =
terval of cloud-lowering and cloud
lifting. The boy tried for IT, would
have taken up the condolences where
the storm coming had broken them OF;
but II was blankly impossible. All the
curious thrills foregone seemed to Gull
inmate now in a single burning desire
to have II rain for ever. that he might
nestle there In the hollow OF the great
rock with Nan so close 10 him that he
could feel the warmth OF her body and
the quick beating OF her heart against
his arm.
Yet the sleeping conscience dil not
stir. The moment OF recognition was
withheld even when the cloud curtain
began to lift and he could see the long
lashes dropped over the dark eyes. and
the flush in the brown cheek matching
his own.
mani" he whispered. catching his
breath; "youre-you're the"
She slipped away ifOm MIN DefOre
he could find the word. and a moment
later she was calling to him from be-
low that the rain was over and she
must hurry.
He walked beside her to the door Of
the miserable log shack under the Sec
.ond cliff. still strangely shaken, bu
striving manfully to be himself again
Tho needed fllip came when the noun.
taineer staggered to the threshold. II
times past, Tom would quickly have
put distance between himself and Tik'
Bryerson in the squirrel-eyed stage o
tntoxication. But now his promise L
Nan was behind him. and the Gordon
blood was to the fore.
TT was my fault that Nan stayed 81
long" he said. bravely; and he wal
Immensely relieved when Bryerson
making quite sure OF his identity, De
came effusively hospitable-
"Cap'n Gordon's boy-f cou'sc
didn't make out to know ye. I mrs
Come avn in the house an sit a spell