The Mena weekly star., 1912-05-23


nish. In fact. there was nothing anr
where which in any way spoke Of the
existence OF woman-except a picture
IN small. rough wooden frame which
stood on the table before which she
sat down. The picture was Of n hard-
some woman-natarally Enid Maitland
saw that before anything else. She
would not have been q woman II that
had not engaged her attention mora
torcibly than any other fact in tho
room. She picked It up and studied
y long and earnestly, quite uncon-
scious OF the reason for her interest
and yet certain uneasy feeling might
nave warned her of what was toward
In her bosom.
This young woman had not yet had
time to get her bearings. She had not
been able to realize all the circum-
stances of her adventure. So soon as
she did so she would know that into
her life man had come, and what
ever the course of that life might be
In the future. he would never again
be out of it.
IL was therefore with mingled and
untranslatable emotions that she stud
led this picture. She marked with a
certain resentment the bold beauty
quite apparent. despite the dim fading
outlines OF a photograph never very
good. So far as she could discern. the
woman was dark haired and dark eyed
her direct antithesis The casual
viewer would have found little of fault
In the presentment, but Enid Matt
lands eyes were sharpened by what.
pray? At any rate, she decided that
the woman was Of rather coarse
fiber, that In things finer and higher
she would be found wanting. She was
such woman, SO the girl reasoned
acutely, as might inspire a passionate
affection in strong hearted. reckless
youth. but whose charms being large
ly physical, would pail In longer and
more intimate association: danger
Gus rival In charge, but not SO for
midable In steady campaign.
These thoughts were the result OF
long and earnest inspection. and it
was with some reluctance that the girl
at last put the photograph aside and
looked toward the door. She was hun
CRY. ravenously 50. She began to be
a little alarmed. and had just about
made up her mind TO rise and stun
Bile out as she was. when she heard
steps outside and knock on the
door.
What Is ft?-' she asked In response.
May come in?-
Yes was the quick answer.
The man opened the door. left 1t
altar and entered the room.
Have you been awake long% be
began abruptly.
mot very"
Il didn't disturb you, because you
needed sleep more than anything else.
How do you feel?-
Greatly refreshed. thank you"
-And hungry, supposeg-
Very"
Il viii soon remedy that. Your
foot?"
1T seems much better, but r."
The girl hesitated. blushing. ~Ican't
get my shoe on, and"
"Shall | have another look at it?"
mo. don't believe It VIII be neces-
sary. If may have some of that lini-
ment, or whatever 1t was you put on
it, and more Of that bandage. I think
l can attend to it myself. but. you see.
my stockings and my Boot
The man nodded: he seemed 10 un-
derstand. He went To his cracker box
chiffonier and drew from It long,
coarse wooden stocking.
THAT is the best that can do for
you" be said.
-And that will DO very nicely" said
the girl. 1T will cover the bandage,
and that is the main thing"
The man laid ON the table by the
side of the stocking another strip OF
bandage torn from the same sheet. As
he did 50. he noticed the picture. He
caught 1t up quickly, dark flush
spreading over his face. and holding
it In his hand, he turned abruptly
away.
= Will go and cook You some break
fast while you get yourself ready. If
you have not washed. you'll find a
bucket of water and basin and towel
outside the door"
He went through the inner door as
suddenly as he had come through the
outer one. He was man of few words,
and whatever social grace he might
once have possessed, and in more IA
vorable circumstances exhibited, was
not noticeable now. The tenderness
with which he had caressed her the
night before had also vanished.
His bearing had been cool, almost
harsh and forbIdding. and his manner
was as grim as his appearance The
conversation had been brief one, and
her opportunity for inspection Of him
consequently limited Yet she had
taken him in. He was a tall. splendid
man. No longer young, perhaps, but In
the prime Of life and vigor. His com
plexion was dark ard burned browner
by long exposure to sun. and wind, Win
ter and summer In spite of the brown,
there was a certain color. hue or
health In his cheeks. His eyes were
hazel. sometimes brown, sometimes
gray. and sometimes blue. she after
ward learned. A short thick closely
cut beard and mualache covered the
lower part Of bis face disguised bat
not hiding the squareness Of his jaw
and the frmness Of his lips.
He had worn bis cap when be enter
ed. and when he took Il on she no.