The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-07-07

After a second the two they were
most excellent ehums. understood, and
both laughed.
Hit you, too, square between the
eyes," Mallows. said.
The other nodded. After a breath.
he said irrelevantly: IT'S not so much
her good looks--I can find a dozen
prettier girls in a days ride-but
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 sedd, lifting his eyes to the sky
line, Then suddenly :"Could you pos
sibly imagine her fashionable-with a
corset on body or soul?"
Leyering, 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-he would see that she got
her pay, also the best apology he
could frame for his laundering, Then
he was 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.
lGge fellows said, shaking his head:
BE diuged if it didn't plum skeer
Sne ter see Lassy Drewett stonpin
her foot at the bunch o us, and
fairly driyin' us TO work. Why, 1
don't hardly believe she was ever off
the place before-not by her lone
self"
Levering 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 aunts. They
might. If they chose, make a lot Of
trouble FOR the new roed-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.
Presently Levering went toward the
wide weather-gray house, whistling,
evidently thoughtful. yet alert.
Mallows made a feint of discomfort
with his survey. Wait! l 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 a clump
Of trees at top-elsewhere it lay bare.
He had a notion that he should find
The clump tenanted go he was not in
the least taken aback, when Alaster
said airily:
y don't want my mOney-but you
have to pay ito Mrs. Damn, at the
Dostofiiee. She has nothing but mean
dog, and big fat no-account husband.
The money is for her, and the dog
10 buy it bone, and her some-wen,
some stockings saw she had on
rags"
You must take the money yourself
I never would dare undertake a COM
mission so delicate Mallows laughed
Alaster screwed up her face. "A
nan 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
le can't possibly be jealous. 1t would
De different if had asked the hand
some man"
Mighty different" Mallows
yrowled "Levering has cheek enough
or anything"
81 wonder would he dare ask them
o let him stay at dinner?" Alaster
,ried, nodding toward the house, 90!
hope so! 1t is three years since we
lad company-except preachers and
they don't count"
Would | count-if 7 came?" NAL
ows demanded
She smiled at him.
How could tell, unless you tried
u" she said
Il am going to try-depend on it."
Lallows said, looking full in her
yes.
A month after he asked the aunts
or Alaster Levering, notwithstand-
ng his looks, had found himself out
# the running at the beginning of the
,ame. A good friend he showed him
elf The Sisters Drewett might never
ave consented 70 the Mallows match, |
f Levering had not admonished them.
Suppose Alasters father turned .
Ip, only a husband would have author
ty against him!"
At that they gave in-joyously it
must be confessed They were not so
i'd, but the flavor of life delighted
hem. And they felt like fairy prin-
esses themselves when, a year after
he wedding, Alaster's father did
urn up not ne'er do well, but a
nan sorely repenting the haste and
ieat of his youth. He had not known
here was a living child-he had
hought it died with the mother. Since
e had fortune to bestow upon his
,randson, he quickly made his peace.