The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1913-11-05
THE SCALE
TURNED
BY ARTHUR GRIGSBY

ital. Arriving at an inn midway be-
tween the plain and the summit Of the
range, he concluded to make it his
headquarters, going about among the
mountains sketching. He arrived in
the evening and concluded to put off
any work till the morrow. The inn
being in lonely spot and at the time
apparently no other boarders in the
house, he seated himself on veranda,
where he could overlook the plain far
below, and called for supper.
The cloth was laid by a girl in a
short petticoat encircled with stripes
of various gay colors, beneath which
appeared a dainty foot and ankle.
HoXie was very young, and youth
is unthinking. He permitted himself
to gaze too admiringly on the senorita
and did not take the pains not to do so
while she was looking. He spoke some
Spanish and began to chat with her.
but could get nothing except Eyes, Sc
nor" and mo, senor," for she was a
diff1dent little thing, especially in the
presence of one in the social scale so
far above her.
There were many points in the vicin-
ty where attractive views were to be
obtained, and HoXie attended to his
work, not thinking about the girl when
doing so. But in the evening between
supper and bedtime he needed COM
pany and after supper would invent
ways to keep her with him on the We
randa. The inn was kept by her aunt,
and the two women were the only per-
sons in the house besides the few way
farers who stopped there. The aunt
HoXie addressed as sonora, the girl as
Pepita, which was her name. When
he was not out sketching he was con-
tinually calling on the one or the other
for something-either glass Of wine
or a bit of cheese or for Pepita to
bring her guitar and play for him.
you are troubled about something,
Pepita," he said one evening to the
girl while she waited upon him at sup
per. What is it?'
Nothing, senor," she said.
"Yes, there is something you fear.
Tell me-"
"Well. then. senior, there are bandits
in these mountains. You should not
go out sketching."
You must be mistaken. l asked
about that before coming here and
was told that l would be as safe here
as in Madrid"
This did not appear to relieve the
girls fears. There is something that
draws a man to a woman who fears
for him, and Hoxie drew the girl to
him and kissed her.
1T is very lovely for you," he said,
Ito be anxious for my safety. Don't
worry. | think | can take care of
myself"
There was a sound in some shrub
berry just beyond the veranda. Pepita
started. gasped and trembed. Hoxie
looked up at her, surprised, and was
about to ask her what had frightened
her when she ran into the house.
The next evening was very warm,
and HoXie lay smoking in a hammock
in the yard The moon was at the
full and in the rare atmosphere at
such a height cast a bright light
HoXie dosed. Suddenly he reused him
self and looked upon shadow cast
by the moon on the ground directly be.
fore him. 1t was the shadow of a man
with arm uplifted. The closed fist
seemed to grasp something, for there
was a protruSiOn from it not clearly
enough Swallowed for HoXie to discern
what it was. HoXie OWNED that ii
was weapon of some sort, most
probably knife
Whatever was done must be instan
taneous HOXie's reasoning certainly
| was He reasoned that some one was
ab0ut to kill him; that the murder
would be committed silently. The only
method of escape seemed to be to call
to some one. This might brighten off
| the murderer.
Sonora he called without display
lug any alarm in his voice.
What do you wish. senOr?"
"A glass of wine"
At the first word the shadow with
irew so that be did not see it. His
enemy had sprung back
Never mind" HOxie said. rising as
ne spoke. Il will drink it in the
HouSe"
Not daring to betray his knowledge
Of his danger by looking back, h.
walked into the house without turning
| ais head. He had not seen his enemy
only his shadow. Nor did he see
MIN later. His GOODNESS had saved hi>
life. His enemy quite likely was in
such condition of mind that q word
spoken by the man be would kill was
enough. momentarily at least, to deter
| aim. and before be had time to begin
again it was too late.
HoXie was never in hurry abou'
anything He said nothing to the
iandlady about the matter. preferring
tn think it over before doing so He
| remembered the sound in the bushes
where the evening before be had kiss
ed Pepita. and her fright Here was
an explanation
"Pepita." be said the next morning
when he was alone with her.
Yes senior"