The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-03-21


help all l could-he Is very good,
Robert, but I'm afraid 1 must be very
wicked. for l don't really want to ad-
dress strangers on such personal
topic"
In the distance Robert Leonard
saw his houses against the dark back
ground Of the forest, from which his
laborers were bringing out fortune
in dye-woods. Close at hand was a
patch Of sugar cane growing along
side the road and standing among
the green canes was a man with a
curved knife in his hand, cutting
down succulent stalks.
A white straw hat was pushed back
on his handsome head, revealing a
mop of thick dark hair; he had a
brown skin, flashing black eyes and
strong brown throat where his
white shirt was open at the collar
May pulled her horse to stand
still and looked back at her brother,
who was tagging behind. Bobby, l
believe I'll begin with him." she said,
pointing toward the man, who, appar-
emily unconscious Of their approach,
was swinging away at the sugar cane,
whistling as he worked.
Fire ahead" said Bobby, sitting
laugh. "I'll wait in the shade Of
this tree. But why not conf1ne your
self to converting the women and
children and let the men alone?"
She rode close beside him and ex-
planned. Il told Mr.. Nash how repug-
nant 1t would be for me and he said
that was all the more reason I should
do 1t; I must sacrifice my feelings to
the principle of the thing"
'Well, go on" said Bobby resign
eddy, although a wicked light shone
in his eyes. He did not like Mr.. Nash
and he did love his pretty sister.
The man in the cane field did not
look up until Mays white linen gown
flashed in the sunlight Then he
gazed at her, startled, and whipped
of his hat; surprise seemed to seal
his lips, for she was a bonny sight on
that wonderful morning and he look.
ed at her from the crown of her
white hat to the tip Of her tan riding
boot, and drew a long breath.
May leaned from the saddle and
took courage. my good man." she
began softly, ARE you Christian?"
A startled look leaped to the mans
eyes and then he said ever so gently
and courteously, Il hope so, madam"
II am so glad" cried May with re-
lief. Il hope you will pardon my ask
ing you-only l promised my pastor
out home that l would do all I could
to convert he-the-er-er-" she
paused in confusion.
"Heathen?" he smiled up at her.
well, If one is going to sift the
wheat from the chaff 1t must all be
winnowed. Pray don't distress your
self, madam, have often been ad.
dressed by missionaries.
That's such a relief" sighed May.
"Good-by."
"Good-by," he said, and when she
turned her horse once more into the
road. he bent over his work and re-
lieved her of any embarrassment she
might have felt afterward
TT wasn't so awfully hard, Bobby"
she assured her brother as they rode
on. IF all of them were as courteous
as that man. Why, dear, is this
your placer" as he got down and
opened a wide gate.
io ic uy1@d1o~d ~ 49,,
home, honey" smiled Robert as they
cantered up to the wide veranda OF
the bungalow.
Where is Mr.. Scoville, your part
ner?" went on May, as she stood in
the sunlight.
Here he comes now" said Robert
in a stifed tone.
"Where?"
Through the same gate that we
entered-he's been taking his morn
ing exercise in the ~anefield." Then
Bobby Leonard did not dare look at
his sister
"You knew who he was all the
time, Bob Leonardo" she demanded
with rose-red cheeks and flashing
eyes.
Yes, dear-you had to have your
lesson, May, and it better be with a
gentleman like Scoville than some i'm
pertinent stranger who can talk back
at you in some language you do not
understand" apologized and explained
Robert.
Arthur Scoville came up to the
veranda and was presented to May
Leonard. Not once by look or sign
did he give evidence that he had seen
her before, and his tact in passing
over this embarrassing period was
the beginning OF May Leonard's fall
ing in love with him.
They did fall In love with each
other, those two. and it was only
their promise to stand by Robert and
the dye-wood industry until it's sue
cessful termination that prevented
that clever young American from
weeping audibly.