Omaha daily bee., 1911-06-18
CHAPTER xV-oontinued.


-
His horse brushed against me. and hurt
me- she said. He wouldn't even stop
and speak to me-though the Lord knows
! don't bother him much" She paused
abruptly and her black eyes stared at me-
'Why-ohl-excLSe me. sir. l though you
were Squire Morvan."
L am" 1 returned. I'm Henry Nor
van"
"OhTthe new squire. 1 took you for Mr.
Bran when you spoke. Not that you look
much alike, but he's generally with Law
renee"
She dried her tears csrelessly. 1 won
dered who she could bean accursed
curiosity got the better Of me.
You know my cousin. then?''
Oh. yes. Bran Morvan used to come to
my house with Lawrence"
'Lawrence7"
Lawrence Arnold. But he doesn't come
any more. don't miss him, nowadays,
though-Pve company enough without
him" She say my look OF inquiry. I'm
Lefty Miller" she said.
The name meant nothing to me. and I
found nothing to say However, plainly
she did not expect an answer. Her eyes
Travelled over me-then she smiled
My house is right here" She waved
her hand toward sizable cottage in the
pines. Wont you rest while, Squire 20
I believe will" 1 responded. 1 dis
mounted and. still holding my horses
Birdie, sat down on the steps Of the porch.
Ought l to know your name. I've only
Just come to the country, you know.
Before she could reply, Ferriss Dayton
rode around the turn of the path.
sprang to my feet, and advanced toward
her with lifted cap. The dark frown settled
In line above the luminous eyes. She
looked straight at me, and rode by without
moving muscle of her face. She had
cut me dead
stood too dumbfounded to speak. Then
1 ground my teeth-the girls vagaries were
enough to drive a man mad
Striving to hide my discontinue, re-
sumed my seat on the porch. My hostess.
leaning against a pillar. seemed completely
oblivious of the whole incident.
TN have your horse taken, Squire" she
said.
She pursed her lips-they were invitingly
req and full-and whistled twice. stout
! black woman appeared at the cottage door
Therell be a gentleman to supper.
SARAH, said my hostess, land send Billy
for the horse"
@AA' AS7PNhNNu Nhe WOHdHt ana de-
parted.
congratulated myself that I had not
called my pretty acquaintance Lefty" as
I had been about to do Thank Heavenl I
had said my good woman" only once
What sort of piner was this, who ruled a
cottage Of this size, and had at least two
servants TO walt upon her, I must have
made mistake in Judging her position. I
stole side-long glance.
Her gown was simple enough-my mas
culine taste did not suffer me to under
stand that the material was far too rich
Tor the time and place. The clicked stock
irs and silver-buckled shoe showed a we'll
turned ankle.
Her eyes followed my glance al her feet
She laughed and trust one of them coouet-
tishly forward.
Ought to know who Lefty Miller is7"
] repeated.
WELL" she said, may be not. you being
q newcomer; but some of the gentlemen do
Oh, yos" She smiled frankly. my father
. used TO be a tenant OF Lawrence Arnold's
Dad died In the poorhouse, and +" She
paused and regarded me Significantly
well girl doesn't have to go to the
poorhouse-not If she's pretty you see!'
Fea-I saw at last. Sue Buckaoos pas
Hionate exclamation, the morning I had
seen her rebuff Arnold, seemed to ring in
my ears; Go ask one Of your own people,
who can't help herself. You can't turn my
dad out to starve, like you did Lefty
Milier's" Lefty Milleri Lefty Miller! and
Ferrtss Dayton had cut me dead.
Here's Billy" said the woman, as apreld
darkey appeared BILLY. take the gentle
mans horse"
rose hastily. mo, mol I must be going
I've some business to attend to-"
I LEFT her, staring after me In a puzzled
fashion, Lawrence Arnold. and some of
the Eentlemen"-perhaps my cousin"
breni-had given her a CHASTITY idea of men.
And Ferriss Dayton had cut me dead.