The Spectator., 1915-12-28
CHAPTER XIX.

Once, when Anse Havey had been tramping all afternoon through the win try woods with Juanita, he had point ed out squirrel that sat erect on a branch high above them with its tail curled up behind it. He had stopped her with touch on the arm; then. with a smile of amusement, he handed her his rife with much the same man. ner that she might have handed him a novel in Russian, and his eyes said banteringly: See what you can do with that"
 But to his surprise she took the gun and leveled it as one accustomed to it's use. Bad Anse Havey forgot the squir- rel and saw only the slim figure in its loose sweater; only the stray wisps of curling hair and the softness of the cheek that snuggled against the rifle stock. Then. at the report. the squir- rel dropped.
 She turned with a matter-of-fact nod and handed back the gun.
 I'm rather sorry l killed it." she said, but you looked so full of scorn that had to show you. You know. they do have few rifles outside the Cumberland mountains"
 Where did you learn to shoot?" he demanded, and she answered casually: 'I used to shoot rife and pistol. too. quite good bit"
 He took the gun back, and uncon- sciously his hand caressed the spot where her cheek had laid against it's lock. He had fallen into a reverie out of which her voice called him. They had crossed the ridge itself and were overlooking his place.
 Why are they clearing that space behind your house? Are you going to put it in corn?"
 No" he laughed shortly. Corn would be just about as bad as laurel. "
 He was instantly sorry he had said that. He had not meant to tell her of the plans he was making-plans of de fense and. if need be. of offense. He had not intended to mention his pre- cautions to prevent assassination at his own door or window.
 But the girl understood, and her voice was heavy with anxiety as she demanded; Do you think you're in danger. Anse?"
 There's never day I'm not in danger he replied casually, Eve got pretty we'll used to it."
 But some day" she broke out, they'll get you"
 He shrugged his shoulders. May be-" he said,
 As Juanita's influence grew with Bad Anse Havey. so it was growing at the school. She had to turn away pupils who had come across the mountains on wearisome journeys because as yet she had only limited room and no teachers save herself and Dawn to care for the youngest.
 At the front of the hall which led into the main school building was a rack with notches for rifles and pegs for pistols. She told all who entered that she made only one stipulation. and that was that whoever crossed the threshold must leave his armament at the door
 At first some men turned away again. taking their children with them. but as time went on they grudgingly acquiesced and at last. with sense of great victory. she persuaded three shaggy fathers. who were coming reg. uiarly with their children. to ride back home unarmed.
 Disarmament was her idea for the great solution. and when Bad Anse came overland he came every night now--she led him with almost breathiess eagerness to the rack and showed hi,a two modern rifles and one antiauateH squirrel gun.
 ''Wiat's the idea?" hc asked with his skeptical smile. He found it very difficult to listen always to talk about Ah<. p~hOOl In Svn vntch ho faIt m iufor.