The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-04-21
CHAPTER discontinued.

You ought to teach her to negate
pain as you do the Riddles" was Mr..
Alan's vindictive remark. which failed
to lodge In Miss Selma Lue's kind
mind; but ne seemed glad when Ben.
ME enthusiastically consented to run
up to the Hill Mansion to take a bottle
Of camphor and find out about the
possible accident He went so far as
to hand him a dime. with the en-
treaty that he hurry and relieve the
anxiety of-Miss Selma Lue. He even
stood and watched impatiently the
rag-beturbaned head OF the messenger,
which seemed to crawl up the hill
like a big white snail.
81 know I'm foolish" said Miss Sc
lima Lue as she began on the beans
again. II don't hold with thinking
up bad happenings onto people. for
sometime 1t might kinder hit 'em on
some blind side we don't know about
and take. but that child is Jest the
kern1 of my heart. She is one of
the why's Of me. Miss Cynthia is. since
! come to the Bluff"
why thoubul YOU ndu always
been-the Bluff. Miss Selma Lue,"
said Mr.. Alan. anxious to turn her
thoughts from her favorite topic of
conversation. He bore no malice. but
a snub is likely to bring return rip
pies of resentment; and that witching
mischievous smile-his ears began to
burn from reflex action.
"Oh, no. indeed, I've only been here
eight years" answered Miss Selma
Lue, and her eyes rested on the far
dim hills across the river. Just
eight years and two months. for Ethel
Maud was horned the night after !
got here"
How on earth did they get along
without you before you came?" asked
Mr.. Alan with sincerity In his tone.
We'll, they wasn't so many babies
on the Bluff then-jest Bonnie. though
he was a mighty poor specimen when
took hand with him. They've kept
a-coming along in punches ever since,
bless 'em."
How did you happen to come-to
them?' asked Mr.. Alan gently, for
he saw that Miss Selma Lue's mind
was back in the past.
Yes" she answered softly, 1T do
look like the little uniformed things
called meme asserting lonesome up
on a side OF one of the hills over in
Warren county. didn't have nothing
but some land. a empty homeland a
full graveyard over by the garden
wall. II was jest about shutdown one
day and ! was a-fixing round the
graves-the wild vi'lets was a.bloom.
ing on Adoniram's fer the first time
when / looked up and seen the light
Of glory on the hills. And somehow
I don't know. but all of a sudden. the
grieving love in me turned into love
OF God that He Jest poured down into
my heart, and l was so filed with II
that IL hurt me not to be a-giying
some of II out to other folks. The
next day ! sold the land and home to
Cousin Dave Elkins. and hitched up
and started down to where l could
find folks to need me-"
I'm surprised you got this far"
said Mr.. Alan. his voice a bit husky
as he looked into Miss Selma Lue's
face Of beautiful tenderness.
We'll. it was with a-many a stop"
she answered as her face broke up
into shower Of smiles. 1T took two
full weeks to make the seventy miles,
and II ever a woman found things
awaiting to be did II was me as l
come along the road" Miss Selma
Lue laughed reminiscently.
Tell me about II. please do" begged
MI. Alan like small boy wheedling
for an adventure tale.
Well. let me see! l was all bitched
and ready to start by sun-up. l had
been real stern with myself about
leaving most everything behind me
packed up In a corner of the garnet
but ! never had any mind not to drive
Charity's mother down before me
cause NO matter where a body land.
. COW IL q convenience to have along"
Mr.. Alan laughed and moved a stem
nearer. How far did you get that
arst dayf" he inquired.
sOA, o0ly a. far An Cou.sn PATTI