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

There still remained the task of winning young Jeb's assent to his plan and Anse Havey foresaw a stubborn battle there. Jeb had been reading law that winter; reading by the light of log fire through long and lonely evenings in a smoke-darkened cabin. When Anse Havey called from the stile one night, the boy laid battered Blackstone on his thin knee and called out: Come in, Anse, and pull up q cheer,"
 Anse had been rehearsing his argu- ments as he rode through the sleet- lashed hills. and he was deeply trou- bled
 The man and the boy sat on either side of the fireplace. Penetrating gusts swept in at the broken chinlling and up through the warped floor until old Beardog, lying at their feet. shiv- cred as he slept with his forepaws stretched on the hearth and the two men hitched their chairs nearer to the blaze. By the bed still stood the rifle that had been FletCh's; the rifle upon which the boys eyes always fell and which to him was the symbol of his duty.
 As Bad Anse Havey talked of the fu ture with all the instinctive forceful- ness that he could command. the boys set face relaxed, and into his eyes came glint of eagerness, because he himself was to play no small part in these affairs.
 Into his heart crept the first burning of ambition. the first reaching out after career He saw future open. ing before him. and his grave eyes were drinking in pictures in the live embers.
 Then. when ambition had been kin dled, the older man broached the topic which was the crux of his plea.
 The man that can do things for the mountains must be willin' to make heap of sacrifices. Jeb," he said.
 Jeb laughed, looking about the bare room of his cabin.
 Nick sacritices?" he repeated. "l 1 hain't never knowed nothin' else but that l reckon l hain't skeered of it.
 Il didn't mean that way, Jeb." Anse spoke slowly. holding the boy with his eyes. and something of his meaning sank in so that the lads lean face again hardened.
 i Moulin kain't stand between me an what I've got ter do, Anse." he said slowly. He did not speak now with wild passion. but calm tinality. I've 1 done took ther oath"
 For while Anse Havey did not re. ply At last he said quietly: "l reckon ye've got rid of the idea that l was aimin to deceive ye. Jeb. l told ye that when Fletch's assassin came back to the mountains I'd let ye know. I'm ' goin' to keep my word"
 Jeb rose suddenly from his char and stood with the fire lighting up his ragged trousers and the frayed sleeves of his coat
 Air he back now?" he demanded. ] Anse shook his head
 Not yet. Jeb; but he's coming" He saw the twitch that went across the tight-closed lips which made no com ment.
 "Jeb." he continued, T want ye to help me want ye to be biz enough to put by things that it's hard to put by"
 The boy shook his head
 "Anse." he replied slowly. ask me ter do anything else in God Almighty's world but don't ask me thet. cause if ye does I've got ter deny ye."
 T ain't askin' ye to lot the man go unpuuished. I'm only askin' you to let me punish him with the law"
 Astonishment was writ large in every feature of Jeb's face He stood in the waverng circle of light while the shadows swallowed the corners of the cabin. and wondered if he had heard rightly. At last his voice carried note of deep disappointment. and he spoke as though unwilling to utter such reasonable words. "I reckon. Anse," he suggested ''ye wouldn't hardly hev asked thing like thet afore"-there was hesitating halt before he went on-"afore a fur rin woman changed yore fashion of lookin' at things" Anse Havey felt his face redden. and an angry retort rose to his lips. But the charge was true. He went on as though Jeb had not spoken.
 All l ask is that when that man comes yell hold your hand until the cote has acted"
 Does ye reckon Milt McBriar aims ter let Sidering try kin of his?" was the next incredulous question. Anse Havey's voice broke out of it's