The evening world., 1912-08-08

partial to him. He could pity her. for
he recognized that their positions were
similar; that Miss Martha's attitude
toward him was merely n reflection OF
his attitude toward Mary. For . moment
he sat irresolute, mentally debating the
situation. Then he spoke earnestly.
I'm awful glad to sec you. Mary"
no sah.
The SRI ala not move. He could not
see her face, but her voice came to him.
sharp and vindictive.
You lie. Ben Ferns!"
Ferris ttartsd. his face reddening with
surprise and embarrassment.
Why. Mary" he began, I'm SURE
glad. ! reckon you don't think I'd tell
you
She flashed around. her eyes cleaning
brightly. one brown hand brushing away
the stray wisps Of hair that persisted
In blowing across her face.
You don't need to talk to me like
thAtw she snapped. You are not glad
to see me at all. You asked about her
before you said . word about me.
She's where she usually is-in the
hammock. Reading. I reckon. She's
done nothing else since shes been
home from the East"
with this vindictive word the young
woman closed hsr lips and returned to
the wash-lins, where she busied herself
with some white. tapping things. ig-
noring Ferris entirely. For . moment
the latter fingered. his face revealing
his disturbed feelings. Then without
q word he spurred his pony to the cor
raj gate whore he dismounted. took
down the bars. removed tho saddle and
bride and turned the pony loose. Then
he walked briskty around the corner Of
the ranchhouse.
For Q moment after ne had disap-
peared the young woman stood at the
wash-lins. looking at the spot near the
corner OF the ranchhouse where she
had last seen Ferris. Then two brown
hands rose to her face. This time.
however. the hands did not seek the
wind-blown wisp OF hair. but were
pressed firmly over her eyes. Five
minutes later she was seated upon \
fallen log over near one OF the cotton
wood trees. sobbing into her hands.
Ferris found Miss Martha In the ham,
mock-as Mary had told him he would.
She looked UP as Ferris came near.
uttered Q low greeting. and then lam
guidiy returned her esxe to tho book
that she had been reading.
Ferris's broad hat had come OF and
dangled loosely in his night hand.
Mar,ha's welcome had certainly been
less cordial than Mary's. but then. OF
course. one could not expect Martha.
with her Eastern ways and reserve, to
be so effusive as her less gifted sister.
So Ferris told himself as he stood irres-
dilute, looking worshipfully down at tho
young woman In the hammock. And
yet he could not repress slight flush
OF resentment This was dispersed i'm
medatefy. however. when Miss Martha
La "a "a mi n ~
and saw him watching her. She smiled
bewitchingly as though she had just
noticed him.
Wont you sit down." she asked.
You might fetch that chair and sit
where can get a good look at you"
She motioned toward the lower gallery
OF the ranchJhouse.
You know" she added. looking
mocldngiy at him. you haven't been to
see me for quite a while"
IT reckon that wasn't all my fault"
ne returned evenly. IT wouldn't say
that you treated me right clever when
was over here last time"
But he got the chair and placed II
near her, wincing vis.bly At her next
words to him:
you really are entertaining. Mr.
Ferris" she Knocked. Just how ala
treat your"
i've forgot about half OF IT," re-
turned Ferris, shifting uneasily under
her glance. But you done called me
original amt Allow1n' that I'm
ever exactly tckled TO be insulted."
Miss Martha bit her Hips Ferr1s sat
watching her. nervously lingering her
hat. tho crimson Hood in his face
reaching into his hair. Resentment
slinted in his eyes. but in them also
u-sn thu A>an vorshfp that had aiua VI
filled him when he looked at her.
Hers was q slender heure. 1.-THE. with
q sugg estion Of plumpness- which
showed to advantage In the hammock.
Ferris had never. dwelt very long upon
any one detail OF her comeliness. but It