The Ordway new era., 1911-03-03
CHAPTER lIi.-contInued.


pain as you do the kiddies." was Mr..
Alan's vindictive remark. which failed
TO lodge In Miss Selma Lue's kind
mind: but he seemed glad when Ben
ME enthusiastically consented to run
up 10 the Hill Mansion to take bottle
Of camphor and find out about the
possible accident. He went SO far as
to hand him a dime. with tho en-
treaty that he hurry and relieve the
anxiety of-Mlss Selma Lue. He even
stood and watched impatiently the
rag.beturbaned head Of the messenger.
which seemed to crawl-up the bill
like a big white snail
II know I'm foolish" said Miss se-
lima Lue rs she began on the beans
again. IT 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
kernr of my heart. She is one Of
the why's Of me. Miss Cynthia Is. since
come to the Bluff"
why. thought you had 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 borned the night after
got here"
How on earth did they get along
without you before you Gamer" asked
Mr.. Alan with sincerity in his tone.
well, they wasn't so many babies
on the Bluff then-jest Bennie. though
he was a mighty poor specimen when
! took a 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, ut do
look like the little uniformed things
called meme a-setting lonesome up
on a side of one of the hills over in
Warren county. didn't have nothing
but some land. empty homeland a
full graveyard over by the garden
wall. 1t was Jest about sundown 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.
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 filled with 1t
that 1t hurt me not to be a-giving
some Of 1t out to other folks. The
next day sold the land and home to
Cousin Dave Elkins. and hitched up
and started down to where I 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. 1: was with a-many a stop"
she answered as her face broke up
into a shower Of smiles. "It took two
full weeks to make the seventy miles,
and II ever a woman found things
awaiting to be did it was me as
come along the road" Miss Selma
Lue laughed reminiscently.
Tell me about it. please do" begged
Mr.. Alan like a small boy wheedling
for an adventure tale.
We'll. let me see! I was all hitched
and ready to start by sun-up. I had
been real stern with myself about
leaving most everything behind me
packed up in a corner of the garrett
but never had any mind not to drive
Charity's mother down before me-
cause no matter where body lands
a COW is convenience to have along"
Mr. Alan laughed and moved a step
nearer. How far did you get that
first day." he inquired.
"Oh, only as far as Cousin Patty