The Elbert County tribune., 1914-02-20
CHAPTER VI.
Robbery-under-Arms

Hopbery-Onder-Arms-
Kafe's Ndrrdfipe.
We have started visitors book 1t
opens with press cuttings of inter.
views with Professor Bohns, the IA
nous archaeologist, who came to ex-
anime the paleolithic deposits at South
Cave. Next are papers relating to n
summons for assault. brought by the
late Mr.. Trevor against J. Smith. But
the gem OF our collection is a letter of
lengthy explanation from an eminent
Italian cur. who spent whole month
at the ranch last winter. Nobody is
more hospitable or more hungry for
popularity than my dear man. but
think that special prayers should be
offered for his visitors. He has a
motto now:--"Love me: love my bear,
not my missus."
Ny Jealous Zero has told the story
Of an old admirer. once my FELLOWSHIP
dent who brought me dumpy piano
for which ! 80 starved, told me the
news. talked shop, and would make
me a prima donna-my life's ambition
The trap was well baited. Lonely, and
terrified by the dread majesty of win
ter. craved for the lights. for the
crowds, for my home, for my people,
for my art. And there are little things
besides which mean so much to
woman.
Salvador turned out to be a cur, his
mission despicable. and yet no woman
born can ever be without some little
tenderness for one whose love mis-
leads him. And who sought to read
n fn
for myself. am no longer free. but
fettered. and proud of the chains.
Loves chains. worth more to me
than that lost world.
One morning, 1t must have been the
twenty-sixth. think, we had a caller.
destined. l fear to entry in our viei-
tors book. Jesse had ridden of to
see how his ponies thrive on the new
grass, Mrs. O'Flynn was redding up
after breakfast. and finding myself in
the way. took my water colors down
to Apex Rock, to see II one sketch
would hold winter, spring. summer, as
viewed from the center of wonder
land
Now our house being in full view
from the apex. and sound travelling
magically IN this clear atmosphere,
heard voices. Mrs. O'Flynn had a
visitor, and ! was in such jealous
hurry to share the gossip, that my
sketch went over the cliff as I rose
to run. A rather handsome man, in
the splendid cowboy dress, stood by
chestnut gelding. such horse aris-
tocrat that made sure he must sport
coat Of arms. Moreover. In gin
gerlya and reluctant way. as though
under orders. he was kissing Mrs
O'Flynn. She benmed. bless her. silly
old hearti
Mrs. O'Flynn looks on her truthful.
ness as quality too precious for
everyday use. and SO carefully has it
been preserved that in her fifty-fourth
year 1t shows no sign of wear. Hence,
on reaching the house ! was not sur
prised to find that her visitor was
total stranger. bIn
Judge by signs-chivalry. reticence,
courtesy-Mrs. O'FIynn's guest was
not a cowboy. His forid manners,
exaggerated politeness. and Imitation
OF our middle-class English speech
stamped his as a bounder, but not of
the British breed. Later. in moments
VI txcitcineut, ne SPOKE new 1Ork,
with twang OF music-hall
Even in so lonely place it is GU
rious to remember that such a person
should appeal to me. Still in his
common way the man had beauty, car
ried his clothes well. moved with
grace. So much the artist in me saw
and liked, but think no woman could
have seen those tragic eyes without
being influenced.
'Ah! Mrs. Smith, l believer" He
stood uncovered. May / venture to
ask If your husband is at home?
think l had the pleasuah OF knowing
him years ago down in Texas"
He'll be back by noon"
Thank you. madam. Fact is. we
were very much surprised to see your
chimney smoke. We thought this ex-
quisite place was quite unoccupied-
Indeedi''
Who's 'we'f''
"Oh, we're the outfit riding for Gen.
eral Schmidt We've come in search
of the spring feed We were informed
that Ponder's place was unoccupied,
open to all. Am mistaken In sup
pssinx that this " Ponder's placsf"
1T ~