The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1914-07-10

through every tortured crevice OF his
impatient frame. Like steel from flint
it struck out a crisp oath that brought
an answering bovine snort from the
f~ence-corner.
Worming like a lizard to freedom.
his eyes puckered shut with the
wretched pang, John Valiant sat UP
and shook his grimy fist in the air.
You silly loafng idiot" he cried.
"Thump FOUR own crazy-bone and see
how you like it! You-oh, lord!'
His arm dropped, and a flush spread
over his face to the brow. For his
eyes had opened. He was %gesturing
not at the bull but at a girl. who
fronted him beside the road, haughti-
ness in the very hue Of her %gray-blue
linen walking suit and, in the clear
cut cameo face under her felt cavalry
hat, myrtle-blue eyes that held q
smolder Of mingled establishment and
indignation. An instant he gazed, all
the muscles Of HIS face frightened with
chagrin.
Il beg your pardon he STAN
mered. Il didn't see you. l really
didn't. was-I WA talking to the
bull"
The girl had been glancing from the
flushed face to the thistly f~ence-corner.
while the startled dignity Of her feat
ures warred with an unmistakable ten
dency to mirth. He had struggled to
his feet, nursing his bruised elbow.
irritably conscious of his resemblance
to an emerging chimney-sweep. Il
don't habitually swear" he said, but
Id got to the point when something
had to explode"
Oh she said. don't mind mel"
Then mirth conquered and she broke
forth suddenly into q laugh that
seemed to set the whole place aquiver
with a musical contagion. They both
laughed in concert, while the bull
paved the ground and sent forth a
rumbling below Of affront and chal-
lenge.
She was the first to recover You
did look so funny" she gasped.
Il can believe It," he agreed, max
Ing a vicious dab at his smudged ell
bow. The possibilities Of a motor for
comedy are simply ~stupendous."
She came closer and looked curious
ly at the %quiescent monster-at the
steamertrunk strapped on the carrier
and the bullying portmanteau peeping
broken?"
Merely on strike, l imagine. Ar.
We far from the v~illage?"
about a mile and a half"
"Ill have to have it towed after ms
The immediate point is my traps.
wonder if there is likely to be a team
passing"
I'm afraid It's not too certain" an
swered the girl, and now he noted the
liquid meditation, with its slightly
questioning accent, charmingly South
ern. There is no livery, but there Is
a negro who meets the train sOme
times. | can send him If you like"
You're very good" said Valiant, as
she turned away, and I'll be enor-
mously obliged. Oh-and if you see a
white dog, don't be frightened il he
tries to follow you. He's perfectly
kind"
She looked back momentarily.
"He-he always follows people he
likes, you see"
Thank you," she said. The tone
had now a hint-small, yet percepti-
ble-of aloofness. I'm not in the least
afraid of dogs" And with a little nod
she swung briskly on up the Red Road.
John Valiant stood staring after her
till she had passed from view around
a curve. 'Oh, glory" he muttered.
ITO begin by shaking your fist at her
and end by making her wonder If O
aren't trying to be fresh, You poor,
%profane, f~loundering dolt!"
CTO BE CONTINUED)
-g-1&-5z-
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