The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-12-25
CHAPTER xIv-continued.

Again jobs face had become ashen
and his muscles were twitching Anse
laid a hand on his shoulder, but the
boy 1erked away and again confronted
his elder, while his voice broke from
his lips in an excess of passion. Tell
me his name. By God. he b'longs ter
mel"
No, amt goin' to tell ye his name
Just yet, Jeb, Anse calmly announced.
He amt in these parts now. He's left
the mountains. an it wouldn't do We
much good to know his name-yet.
Two days after he comes back I'll tell
ye all ye wants to know, an won't
try ter hinder ye, but ye must let the
children stay over there at the school
Dawn's hearts set on it. an it wouldn't
be fair to break her heart"
The boy stood trembling in wrath
and indecision. Finally his voice came
obviously. 'Ye done give me yore
hand once befOre tibet es soon es We
knowed ye'd tell mean ye lied ter
me-"
Anse Havey shook his head with un-
ruff1ed patience
( No. didn't lie to We, son. l wasn't
lied to no man"
A long silence fell on the room.
Through the open window came the
silvery call OF a quail in some distant
thicket. After a while the boy raised
his head and nodded. I'll give We
my hand" he said.
When he left the room Juanita rose
from her chair
There is no way to thank you, Mr..
Havey." she said with a touch of diff
dence. 81 don't believe that two wrongs
ever made one right. / don't believe
that you can win out to law by law
lessness. But | do believe you are
sincere, and l know that you're a
man"
And, for my part" he answered
slowly, Il think ye're just tryin' to
grow an oak tree in a flower pot. an.
it can't be done. l think that all We
can do is to breed discontent-an' in
these hills discomfort is dangerous
But | amt hinderin' your school an
don't low to. YEN find out for your
self that it's failure an quit at your
own behest."
shan't quit" she assured him. but
this time she smiled as she said it.
Il am going ahead, and in the end I
am going to undermine the regime of
feud and flliteracy; that is, | and
others like me. But can't we fight the
thing out as If it were a clean game?
Can't we be friendly adversaries?
You've been very generous, and I've
been a bigoted little fool, but can't you
forgive me and be friends?"
He Strengthened and his face hard
ened again, and slowly he shook his
head. His voice was very grave and
uncompromising, though without dis
courtesy. I'm afraid it's a little too
late for that"
-Juanita slowly drew back the hand
she had extended and her cheeks
flushed crimson. 1t was the first time
in her life that she had made an un-
solicited proffer of friendship-and it
had been rebuffed.
"Oh!" she murmured in a dazed.
hurt voice in which was no anger.
Then she smiled. Then there's moth
Ing else to say, except to thank you
thousand times"
Ye needn't have no uneasiness
about my tryin' to hinder ye," he as
sured her slowly. q amt your enc
my an amt your friend. I'm Just
lookin' on. an / don't have no faith
In your success"
Don't you feel that changes must
Gomez" she questioned a little timidIv.
They have come everywhere else."t
They will come" His voice again
rose vehemently. But they'll be made
my way-our way. not yours These
hills sha'nt always be a reproach to
the state of Kentucky. They're goin
to be her pride some day"
That's ALI" exclaimed the girl.