The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1914-04-16

through every tortured crevice OF his
impatient frame Like steel from flint !
Il struck out a crisp oath that brought
an answering bovine snort from the
fence corner.
Worming like a lizard to freedom.
his eyes puckered shut with the |
wretched pang. John Valiant sat up |
and shook his grimy fst in the air.
You silly loafng IDIOT" he cried.
Thump your own crazy bone and see
how you like It, You--oh. lord!"
His arm dropped. and a flush spread
over hls face to the brow For his
eyes had opened. lie was gesturing
not at the bull but at girl. who
fronted him beside the road, haughti-
ness Ia the very hue OF her grayblue
linen walking suit and. In the clear
cut cameo face under her felt cavalry
hat. myrtle-blue eyes that held a
smoider OF mingled astonishment and
indignation An instant he gaZed, all
the muscles OF his face frightened with
/ chagrin.
II beg your pardon he stam
/ niered. Il didn't see you. really
didn't. was-l was talking to the
bull"
The girl had been glancing from the
flushed face to the thistly fence-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
I'd 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 n 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 nrst to recover. you
did look 40 FUNNY" she gasped.
Il can believe IT," he agreed. max
ing a vicious dab at his smudged ell
bow. The possibilities OF a motor fol
comedy are simply stupendous."
She came closer and looked curious
ly at the quiescent monster-at th'
steamer.trunk strapped on the carriel
and the bulging portmanteau peepini
over the side OF the tonnesu. is q
broken7"
: Merely on strike. imagine. Ar
we far from the villager"
| uAhn,,t t,fIa ana half"
I'm have to have II towed after me
The immediate point 10 my traps.
wonder II there is likely to be team
passing"
I'm afraid It's not too certain" an
swered the girl. and now he noted tn
liquid modulation. with It's slight.
5 questioning accent, charmingly South
E ern. There Is no livery. but there {
a negro who meets the train some
3 times. can send him II you like"
T. You're very good" said Valiant. a
she turned away. and I'll be enor
4 mously obliged. Oh--and II you see
: white dog. don't be frightened II b
q tries to follow you. He's perfectl
i kind"
She looked back momentarily.
"He-he always follows people b
Ikea. you see"
i Thank YOU" she said. The ton
u had now a hint-small. yet percept
u ble-of aloofness I'm not In the Leaf
~ afraid OF dogs" And with little no,
e. she swung briskly owup the Red Roa'
y John Valiant stood staring after he
o till she had passed from view aroun
"a curve. oh. glory" he muttere,
''To begin by shaking your fist at he
10 and end by making her wonder II yo
aren't trying to be fresh You poo
profane. ioundering doltl"
Ie GRO BE coSTINUED)