The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-04-06

( dust; her riding skirt and boots were
thick with II. Trouble swan deep In
her eyes. and her lips were pressed
firmly together TO keep back some
strong emotion.
But Nevins could not see this sign.
fie was too intent upon taking an In
ventory OF the girl herself. Aud this
TASK required only a brief instant.
When II was completed Nevins was
stu gasping. and his composure had
settled down into his bOOtIegs. lie
suddenly felt like boiling. Had he
not been afraid Of her laughter he
would have done so. But a certain
appeal in her eyes held him.
Bad man2 II was not Nevins. Once,
perhaps. he had been. Yesterday ne
knew himself as one-irOnic, DELHI
crate, sneering-reckless OF life and
law II had slipped away II there
embarrassed, awkward. surprised
puncher, whose wide eyes shone with
frank. unalloyed admiration, il was
only a memory
The young woman sat on a rock.
her lips still tightly pressed. her ewes
red and tear-stained. She was pale
through the alkali dust. Nevins doffed
his broad hat and bowed snilingly at
her over his ponys name. He was
rewarded with a frown and a sharp
voice followed
II you are going TO sit there and
make faces at me. you might just as
well 20 away"
Sorry. ma'am, but reckon that
Ineeuu' up with = gal like Won. sorta
suduen. would make any man make
faces But / amt tryin' to scare Won -
her glance was almost malign. You
wouldn't need to try. Just seeing you
rs enough. An expression Of pain
crossed her face If you are human,
you might ask what has happened
has X occurred to you that while Won
are sitting there. grinning and irving
70 say smart things, that / might be
su-suf-fer-ing?" The pain in her face
deepened: repression ceased. and she
placed both hands over her lips to
hold back the sobs that suddenly
shook her.
And now a thrin OF COMPASSION shot
through Nevins and brought him off
his pony with businesslike rapidity.
In an instant he was beside the girl.
all traces Of levity replaced 10y an ex-
preston of grave concern.
w hat Is II, ma am? I'm sorry that
IF you were you'd be doing some
thing instead Of talking about it,
Pain and impotence ia her eyes made
him burn with a guilty enbarrass-
mcnt.
If youIl just tell me what I en- do
ne ne began In a graVely persuasive tone.
You might look at my ankle. It's
-or-or-broken. Crushed.
perhaps. My pony fen and-and nv
ankle was under him. Oh-h!"
The exclamation. long drawn and
represscd, was caused by Nevins
grasping her boot 10y the sole and heel
and attempting TO draw II of
It's swelled awful" he stated in
alarm: How long have you been
Il don't know years.
perhaps IL might toe "A
century wish YOU would
stop being silly"
Nevins stood on one foot. his face
drawn and distorted with impotent
sympathy. Il expect I'll have 10 cut
the boot Of" he suggested. moved 10
beautiful blush
'Well?"
Nevins' hesitation was eloquent.
You see" he explained. gravely. u
amt never had any experience
"Oh-h!" she groaned. you don't
need any experience. do you2 Can't
YOU see that all YOU need is a knife 90
She dragged her skirts TO the knee TO
prove IT,
II meant"-beRan Nevins. and stop
ped Mortified by the significance Of the
thing he was about 20 say. Very red
OF face. very awkward. and very care