The Ozark spectator., 1916-12-27
greeted cheerily, with an ethereal fla yOr of hrO0ue

l DuI IL WIS Iol SO luuCl tiic IFleuuli- ness in the old gentleman's voice that made the young man smile, as 1t was the smile that lighted up the eyes of the girl. Her dark hair made silkel frame about her pink cheeks and smiling lips; her eyes-sapphire blue and clear as the sky-danced with a smile of divine friendliness. And then, too, she crinkled her eyelids all around them. An iron image would have responded to that laughing chal- lenge.
 The youth said "Good morning." Bound for Corydon?" inquired the old gentleman affably. His undoubted years were somehow discounted by an almost elfin quickness of glance, and his hObbling gait, his whole ap- pearance suggested a Solomon among cock-sparrows hopping along pump handle.
 Bound for Corydon?"
 "Yes. Am on the right trace?'
 "Folly the path an the towns a bit of mile ahead of ye-but if ye will pity the sorrow of foolish old blath- erskite who can't build bit of a fire to save his sowl, yell not push on till we've got the finder going." And he thrust his flint and steel into the young mans hands with an air of comical dismay.
 "Oh, do," said the girl. Fathers so stupid"
 The young man took the flint and steel with laugh and knelt down to obey. He rearranged the twigs with q careful hand, struck spark into the finder and nursed it for breathless moment; :. then tiny flame crept up the pile of brush and the three looked at one another in triumph.
 Not that we're needin' fire at all, at all." said the little old gentleman, lon q day like this; but 'tis always comfort in the woods"
 "You build fire like woodsman," observed the girl admiringly, though of course you aren't one." He flushed, for he knew. that his rags were an unusual dress for the buckskin-clad men of the forest; and the girl added quickly, Because you aren't carrying rifle."
 "No, I'm no woodsman," he admit ted, grateful for her tact, "but I've come long distance through the woods and have had to learn a little of their ways"
 "Ye've come long way?" asked the old gentleman. "Thin ye'd best be sittin' down with us for bit. Sure, the town will wait"
 "Oh, dow added the girl impulslvely. "Tell us about the woods. Have you seen any Indians? Father didn't want to come out here today for fear one would bounce on us." She laughed a ripple more musical than that of the brook. and, tucking the skirts of her Amazon habit beneath her. settled her self on the ledge of limestone rock. "Tell us about Indians," she went on comfortably. "We came here from New Orleans and haven't seen a single, real paint-and-feathers one yet. Ooh '" she laughed in mock terror.
 The fire cracked merrily up the face of the rock and draft of it's warmth swept into the creyice of the stone. The dusky thing lying within stirred pleasantly.
 I've seen only peaceful Indians on the road so far" smiled the young man. II can't tell you any exciting tales"
 Don't be pestering the lad, Toi- nette," chided the old man. "I'n be bound he's too tired to talk"
 The mottled rope within the crevice felt the warmth of the fire, stirred. un- coiled and glided noiselessly toward the aperture, paused again.
 You live In Corydon, slr?" asked the young man. "rd like to find wort there-I'El weaver by trade"
 The old gentleman put his head on one side in dubious reflection. Small chance for weaver, my lad." he an- swered. "for every cabin has n loom of it's own. But yell find something for"
 His words froze on his lips as a tawny mottled length flowed out from the crevice. built itself up with q quick. sinuous twist into coil of liv- ing death. But, with lightning quick ness, the young man had seized his oaken staff from the ground.
 Don't move, Toinette!" he cried and on the words the cudgel whirled above his shoulders and struck the venomous head like thunderbolt. A long left arm swept down and plucked the girl from the spot where the ugly folds curled and flattened among the rocks.
 "Merciful heaven'" cried the little old man weakly, and buried his face in his hands.
 The girl drew deep breath; and the young man suddenly realized that he was still straining her to his side. He released her as though she burned his fingers; and his face crimsoned with shame.
 'I beg your pardon" he said awk- wardly: I'm sorry 1 was so rough"
 Hut tho pirl'S nvas chnna litya Stars.