The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-06-30

something something catches you in
the breath. when you see her. What
is it?"
Remember the Dryads? We read
about them in our Greek days" Nal
lows said. lifting his eyes to the sky.
line. Then suddenly Gould you pos
sibly imagine her fashionable-with
corset on body or soul?'
lowering. the financier. shook his
head MallOws turned from him
men were coming. almost on the run,
urged by some invisible monitor. He
smiled. She need not hope thus to
escape him-hc would see that she got
her pay. also the best apology he
could frame for his laundering. Then
( he vas suddenly aware that she passed
by-that she smiled at him. that she
moved with the foot of Atlanta. As
she climbed the hill, one OF the vii
lage fellows said. shaking his head:
BE dinged If 1t didn't plum skeer
/ her foot at the bunch O. us. and
/ fairly drivin' us TO work. Why,
don't hardly believe she was ever on
I the place before-not by her lone
self"
/ lowering smiled as he listened.
Mallows looked glum. Here was no
dryad. rather an enchanted princess,
guarded by ancient dragons-he was
already aware of the eInts. They
| might. II they chose. make a lot Of
trouble for the new rosi-its right OF
way must cross a corner of their land.
not very big. but strategically most
important The countryside had bid.
den the road builders beware Of the
sisters. They were prone to suspicion
of strangers because they didn't
know them. OF friends because they
did. lowering might handle them
Mallows rested his hope upon the pay
ment OF his debt. He overheard fur
Their gossip that possessed him yet
more clearly of the situation.
Presently LeveriDg went toward the
wide weathergray house, whistling,
evidently thoughtful. yet alert.
Mallows made feint of discomfort
with his survey. Wait, want to
look over the country from that hill.
top" he said. off.handedly to his
helpers.
AS they sat down at ease. he half
rem up the hill. There was clump
of trees at top-elsewhere It lay bare,
He had a notion that he should find
the clump tenanted So he was not in
the least taken aback. when Alaster
said airily:
Il don't want my money-but you
have to pay ito Mrs. Damn. az the
postoftice. She has nothing but a mean
dog. and a big fat no account husband
The money is for her. and the dog
to buy Il bone. and her some-well
some stockings saw she had Oh
rags"
You must take the money yourself
i never would aare undertake a com
mission SD delicate" Mallows laughed
Alaster screwed up her face. A
man who can swear so shouldn't be
afraid OF anything" she murmured
Then as though suddenly enlightened
Don't you be afraid OF Mr. Damn
he cant possibly be jealous. II would
be different II had asked the hand
some man"
Mighty difercntI" Mallows
growled. lowering has cheek enough
for anything"
Il wonder would he dare ask them
TO let him stay at dinner?' Alaster
cried. nodding toward the house. 20,
hope so, II is three years since We
had company-except preachers and
peddlers-snd they don't count"
Would I count-if ! Gamer" Nal.
lows demanded.
She smiled at him.
How could | tell, unless you tried
it," she said She was not forward.
only human anu feminine. depressed
past endurance.
Il am going to try-depend on II. s.
Mallows said. looking full In her
eyes.
A month after he asked the aunts
for Alaster. lowering. notwithstsad.
ing his looks. had found himself out
Of the running at the beginning of the
game. A good friend he showed him
self. The Sisters Drewett might never
have consented 20 the Mallows match.
IL lowering had not admonished them.
Suppose Alaster's father turned
up only a husband would have author.
ity against HIM"
At that they gave in-joyously IL
must be confessed. They were not SO
old. but the favor OF life delighted
them. And they felt like fairy prin-
cesses themselves when. a year after
the wedding Alaster's father did
turn up. not a ne'er do well. but q
man sorely repenting the haste aud
, heat Of his youth. He had not known
there wss a living child-he had
thought il died with the mother. Since
he had a fortune to bestow upon his
grandson. he quickly made his peace.
. Alaster climbed often to the hill of
hope-she loved il. since il had become
> also hill of happiness.
: A Valuable Right.