The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-09-03
FARWELLS
FREAK
She Knew How to Turn
the Tables
By CIarissa Mackie


softly. Eve Farwell looked up into the
maze of branches where the green
nuts hung thickly.
In trice she had swung herself to
a lower branch and with boyish agility
reached the trunk of the largest tree
and climbed into the shelter of it's
thick greenery. Here two large branch
es rubbed together and formed a capt.
tai seat If one loved the whispering
solitude of the treetops.
Eve settled herself for a long after
noon of enjoyment Her book lay I'M
opened on her knees as she gazed at a
picture of which she never tired.
All at once there came a shrill whis-
tie that denoted the presence Of Andy
Morgan, her fathers foreman He was
not far away. He was riding through
the aisles OF tree trunks below, and he
was not alone.
Eve bent over and gazed down at the
straight, well knit figure riding the
black horse He was gazing directly
ahead. and the brim of his hat shaded
his chin. where Eve knew a dimple
lurked. A tender smile played about
Ewes lips. ind the very intensity Of
her gaze must have attracted his
glance to her had he not been absorbed
In conversation with another man
whom Eve did not recognize, although
he was riding one of her fathers
horses. She saw pair of brown, well
shaped hands grasping the bride reins
and the crown of his big hat. and she
noted that h" sat well in the saddle.
| They STOPPED beneath the big pecan
tree where she was hidden, and Nor
gan slipped from his animal and tight
ened Grin Then he leaned lazily
against the tree trunk and rolled a
cigarette.
You'll lika 1t here all right, Webb"
he was saying THE old mans fair
and square enough.
81 think shall like 1t first rate. :"
said the other man heartily, and Eve
liked his voice at once. 1t was deep
and pleasant. ''FarwelPs got pretty
stable ranch here"
Yes; it'll take US a couple of days to
ride over It," returned Andy, and then
In a tone which Eve had never heard
from his lirS he added. ut will be an
easy matter If you want to get into
partnership With the old man."
"Hows that?" asked Webb. SIS he
anxious to sell"
mot exactly But he's made 1t pref
ty plain that whoever marries his
daughter can have a thousand acres
and welcome. Wants to keep her near
home-not that there's any danger OF
his losing her in that way" Andy
laughed scornfully.
II didn't know that he had daugh-
ter" said Webb rather coldly.
"Oh, yes: regular freak-thin and
scrawny, wi h red hair and freckles.
That's wha: we call her around here
'Farwell's freak She's inclined to
soft in my direction"
oh hang it all, Morgan, girl can't
help her appearance, you know" OBJ
jected Webb in displeased tone. Il
may as well be plain with you as long
as I am to be here and we are to be
constantly associated. don't stand for
any of this careless talk about won
en-. have a mother and sisters back
home. and they mean a good deal to
me, and because of them all women are
entitled to my protection. I'm not a
milk and water chap, but every man
has his own ideas about things. and
might as we'll tell you that that's the
chip on my shoulder. and l hope no
body around here knocks it OFF, He
spoke firmly and pleasantly.
Andy Morgan laughed again-not a
nice laugh to hear 'Oh. very well,
Webb" he said carelessly. I'll warn
the boys to confine their talk to the
weather and the latest styles in dude
collars from the east"
'They are certainly safe TOPICS" re
torted Webb calmly as he followed his
companion through the grove and out
into the open plain.
Eve Farwell leaned against the tree
trunk and closed her eyes. Fer face
was white and strained and certainly
did look very plain just now. She
could hardly believe that it had been
Andy Morgan who had spoken so care
lessly about her. Why. Andy had made
love to her. and she Ewes white face
suddenly went scarlet and was hidden
in her thin little hands She loved
handsome And Morgan with a girls.
first love, and she had betrayed her
liking, and he. the coward, was mak
ing jest of it to this newcomer! WI
had Andy not said to the other men on
the ranch?
What sensitive Eve Farwell suffered
up there in the pecan tree to which
she had gone SO happily nobody might
know. but when she finally descended
pink spot burned in either cheek, and
her red hair was tossed into a becom-
ing fiuff around her ears. With her
red brown eyes and scarlet lips even
Andy Morgan could not have called
her freak" although she was thin.
Pleading headache. Eve fed to her
room Her Aunt Janet. who kept
house for the widowed ranchman and
his daughter. came and brought her
niece a cup of strong tea and bits of
news from below stairs
"Your father had Andy and the new
man. Mr., Webb. in TO supper tonight"
chatted Aurt Janet 81 like Mr.. Webb
so much. He is very handsome and
every inch gentleman. Your father
was disappointed that you are sick.
He wanted you to come down aud play
accomplishments for him"
Eve made no answer. She lay there
staring into the darkness, scarcely
hearing the music that stole up to her
chamber Her thoughts were busy
ones.
Aunt Janet" she said suddenly,
you'd like TO have me go east for
long visit. wouldn't your
"Yes Sarah says it isn't fair that
her only niece should be buried alive
here in Texas when she can give her
lovely winter in New York. Your
Aunt Saran has money, Eve. but she
needs some one to help her spend II.
1t would do yon a world of good.
If father consents I'd like to 90 at
once" went on Eve. IF do go you
will take a vacation when return.
won't you. Aunt Janet?"
Miss Farwell leaned over and kissed
her niece. Certainly. dear. I'D like
change myself. You go and have your
ding, and then when you return Ill go
and have my fling" she laughed COM
fortably.
1t was settled that way. Neither
Abner Farwell nor his sister under
stood Ewes feverish desire to get away
from the ranch. but they helped her
all they could There were an exchange
of kilograms with Aunt Sarah in New
York and a few hurried preparations
by the two women at the ranch. Then