The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-11-11
lM1()A
BY u
|DHN BRECKENRIDGE ELLIS
Copyright, 1918, by the eobbs- Merrill
Companv

about your name, your character. II
you've got one, nor what you really
intends"
"My name is Wilfrcd Compton. IL
have letter or two in my pocket that
got long time ago. They'd tell
something about me. but Id rather not
show 'em. as they're private
From your gal, reckonY' asked
Wilcox more mildly.
Yes" he answered gloomily.
Carried 'em rs long as Year,
Nearly two years"
Mean to still lug 'em around?"
"Of course I'm going to keep EN-"
well. ! don't deny that's pretty IA
vorable. Now look here. son. I've
been half crazy from lonesomeness.
and | don't believe I've got the heart
to send you away. That gal OF ours
she's just kid. you understand
Now you wouldn't be taking up no
idea that she was what you'd classify
as a young lady or anything like that.
eh?"
"Of course not. She's fifteen or six
teen. should think. Upon my honor.
Wilcox. any thought OF sentiment or
romance il a thousand miles from my
mind"
"Yes: Just so. But such thoughts
travels powerful fast. Don't take 'em
long to lap over a thousand mile
"But it's because she is young
al 81 M ri taI hA
mountain breeze that ! want TO be
-i,n her fur a little while-yes. get to
know her. II l may"
Wilcox turned to the tacfturn old
man standing a little behind him
"Bill Atkins, what do you say"
II say fire him, and do It quick was
the instant rejoinder, accompanied by
threatening twitchings Of the huge
white mustache.
Wilcox was not convinced. son
II you sets here till we have had our
breakfast and has held n caucus over
you Ill bring you the verdict In about
an hour. II you don't like that they's
nothing to do but put out for youI
ranch"
Il go on duty at T." replied the
young man composedly, but ! have O
friend ridily the line that'll stay with
it till | coine. So III wait for youi
caucus"
THAT fricnd-one of them devils
shot at the other dayT
Wilfred compton smiled with sud
den sunninsss. Yes"
Somewhere beneath the immense
whskers an answering smile slipped
like a breeze, stirring the iron gray
hair. IL kinder believe In you, son
Nobody can't gainsay that you've play
ed the man In this matter. Now, Just
one thing more. You must swear here
before me. with Bill Atkins for an un
willing witness. that should We lei
you make the acquaintance Of our lit
tie gal and should you get to be
friends, you two, that the very fust
minute 1t comes to you that she ain't
no little gal. but is I'm the way of be
ing food for love-Bill Atkins, air
making myself plainT'
You amt" returned the old mar
sourly. You're too complicated fol
ordinary use"
Then you tell him what mean"
The old man glared at Wilfred fierce
". IF we decide to grant your re
quest. young man, swear on your hon
or that the second you find yourself
thinking OF our little girl as woman
to be wooed and won. you1l put out
and never stop till you're so far away
you'll be clear out of her world. And
not one word TO her. not so much as
one hint, mind you, as TO the reason OF
your going. Itll just be goodby and
FAREWELL
you see" Wilcox interpolated, "shs
is nothing but little gal, and we don't
want no foolish ideas to the contrary
You takes her for what she il, moth
ing took from nor added to. In course
she'll be growed up some day, reck
on, though may the good Lord take a
good long time finishing up the work
he's begun so noble. When she's
EIONtu UP Nutll Silt y "oHldH, II
Amt for us TO say how you come and
how you go. take from or add 10. But
while she's kid IL Is different, ac
cording"
you have my word Of honor 10 all
these conditions" Wifred cried light
ly. AS a child Of the mountains ash
for her acquaintance. II should ever
feel differently about her I'll go away
and stay away until she's woman"
The two men went into the cabin
An hour later they reapneared. accom-
panied by the girl. Wilfred was still
seated obediently on the rock.
"Come over here IN the shade" WI
lock called rs he strode toward a
grassy bank that slopcd up 10 line
OF three cedar trees Of m'erl0" ked
branches "Come over here und know
her. This Is our gal"
LahOma looked at the Young man
with grave interest as h" rd"ancoh
taxing note OF his garments am move
ments as she mieht hqv" eNam'"o
the skin and actions Of So'nr untn w
animal RfII Atkins alsa wat bod hfsrf