The state herald., 1915-06-18

declaration Of war. II was ~ though
he had posed her - the Spirit Of tho
Cumberiands.
He waited until she should be
calmer.
you don't understand me. Miss
| Sally. I'm not trying to take Samson
away from you. II man should lose
a girl like you. be couldn't gain enough
in the world to make up for It. All !
want is that he shall have the chance
to make the best OF his life"
Il reckon Samson don't need no
fotched-on help ter make folks ac-
knowledge him."
Every man needs his chance. He
can be a great painter-but that's the
least part Of It. He can come back
equipped for anything that life offers.
Here. he is wasted"
"Ye mean"-she put the question
with hurt quaver in her voice-"ys
mean we all hain't good enough for
Samson?'
mo. l only mean that Samson wants
to grow-and he needs space and new
scenes In which to grow. want to
take him where he can see more OF the
world-not only little section of the
world Surely. you are not distrustful
of Samson's loyalty? l want him to go
with me for while, and see life"
Don't ye say hit!" The defiance in
her voice was being pathetically tan
gled up with the tears. She was
speaking in a transport of grief. Don't
ye say hit. Take anybody else-take
'em all down thar. but leave us Sam
son. We needs him hyar. We've Jest
got ter have Samson hyar."
She faced him still with quivering
lips, but In another moment, with
sudden sob. she dropped to the rock.
and buried her face in her crossed
arms. He went over and softly laid
a hand on her shoulder.
Miss Sally" he began.
She suddenly turned on him a tear
stained, infuriated face. stormy with
blazing eyes and wet cheeks and
trembling lips.
Don't touch me-" she cried; don't
ye dare ter touch mel hain't nothin'
but a gal-but reckon could most
tear ye ter pieces. Ye're Jest pizen
snake, anyhow" Then. she pointed
tremulous finger of up the road. Git
away from hyar." she commanded. Il
don't never want ter see ye again.
Ye're tryin' ter steal everything
loves. Git away. tells ye!-git away
-begonel"
Think 1t over" urged Lescott. quiet.
~. See II your heart doesn't say am
Samson's friend-and yours" He
turned. and began making his way
over the rocks; but. before he had
gone far. he sat down to reflect upon
the situation. Certainly, he was not
augmenting his popularity. A half
hour later, he heard rustic, and.
turning, saw Sally standing not far on.
She was hesitating at the edge OF the
underbrush, and Lescott read In her
eyes the effort II was costing her 70
come forward and apologize.
II reckon-I reckon I've got ter ask
yore pardon" she said. slowly and with
iabored utterance. He looked up TO
see hor standing with her head droop'
ing and her fingers neryously pulling q
flower to pieces.
Il reckon hain't plumb fool. !
knows thet Samson's got right ter
eddication. Anyhow. ! knows he wants
hit"
Education" said the man. Isn't go
ing to change Samson, except to make
him finer than he is-and more
capable"
She shook her head. II hain't got
no eddlcation." sho answered. Hits
a.goin' ter make him too good fer me.
| reckon hits a-goin' ter Jest about
kill me. :" Her lips twisted
themselves into pathetic smile again.
and her chin came stiiiiy up. "But, .
she added. determinedly. tibet don't
make no difference. nohow."
Yet, when Samson that evening gave
his whippoorwill call at the Widow
Miller's cabin. he found a detected and
miserable girl sitting on tho stile. with
her chin propped In her two hands and
her eyes full OF somberness and fora
boding.
what's the matter. Sally" ques.
toned he, anxiously. Hes that low.
down Tamarack Spicer been round
here tellln' ye some more stories ter
poster ye1"
She shook her head In silence
Usually. she bore the brunt OF their
conversations. Samson merely agree
ing with. or overruling. her In lordly
breyitles. The boy climbed up and sat
beside her.
ITO RE cONTINUEDD