The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1916-09-28

! - - S's &c oil uuSe u
those days flashed through behind him.
Tor Caleb heard the short gasp which
came from the boys lips even before
the little Girl had paused in her darling
advance on tiptoe like lowering but
terhy to wave a slim hand at him.
Caleb heard the boys breath suck In
between tight teeth: heard 1t culver
unsteadily as she appeared on swift
feet-and Caleb understood what had
been holding so closely his attention.
He understood absolutely and vet
strange as the mood was. at that mo.
| ment he couldn't help but feel. too.
somehow little sorry for the boy-he
could not help but think His eyes
went from Steve's forward thrust
head. from the hair. shaggy and I'm.
kempt FOR all its fineness and thickness
and wavy softness. across to that
dainty vision which, poised ir her alb.
surdly short skirt like point of flame,
was already gazing back at the boy
upon the steps In open and undisguised
amaze.
All Of that characteristic which had
son the latter had passed down to this
slender girl who was his daughter
Barbara. No matter how vivid ALI
sons raiment had been, Caleb remem-
bered that even when Dexter was a
stripping at school It had always seem
ed more part OF the man himself
than Just protection for his body.
Caleb had never given it serious
thought up to that moment. but now 1t
came back to him with added cumula-
tive force. He recollected that he had
often wondered at the child's uncon
scious adaptation of mood to the
clothes she happened to be wearing.
He recalled how he had seen her de
mure aud distant In misty. pastel tint
ed party frocks or quantity. nfantile-
ly dignified in soberer Sunday morn.
Ing garb.
Caleb caught his first Illuminating
glimpse of the woman she was to be
Of the dainty grace and more than
usual beauty which were there IN the
promise Of the years. and he, WHO was
fond Of insisting to his sister Sarah
that there WAS many boy back In
those hills who. with his chance, might
some day achieve greatness. suddenly
realized how long and weary the road
would be for just such a one as the
fascinated little figure on the steps
before he could begin to approach that
level which. to society that Caleb
understood. was typified by this ex,
quisite elfin figure. Dexter Allison's
daughter.
He was no snob, Caleb Hunter, and
yet the little girls bearing at that mo-
ment doubly accented for him the
gulf which lay between her and the
hills boy. by name Steve. For, though
she did pause to stare at his white
drill trousers and unbelievable man
sized boots with frankly childish as
enlistment. the next instant she had
recovered herself and without another
glance preceded her father across the
grass. Quite as though Steve had not
been there at all. she passed him to
hesitate demurely at Caleb's side.
Good morning. Uncle Cal" she
greeted him.
And then quite suddenly Caleb didn't
feel so very sorry. after all. for his lit
tie visitor. He stopped plying him.
Steve's ewes had not wavered once
from the little girls face. from the
time she appeared In the hedge gap IN
I'll she mounted the steps. utterly OBJ
uy1ous TO bis nearness. But when she
brushed against his elbow the boy
rose and stood. hat In hand, gravely
quiet. gravely possessed and silently
sure of himself.
Even after he had>o~ eretN1E6
| bara Allison's greeting and turned
with his grown up, ponderous courtesy
TO present the boy to her, only to be
left with the words hanging upon
tongue tip by her instant disappear
ance inside In search of Sarah Caleb
caught no hint of the thoughts behind
those impassive and steady eyes. Ana
vet he knew that Steve had risen In
order that he might bow as he had the
night before. when Caleb introduced
him to his sister.
Dexter Allison, coming M in less airy
| fashion across the lawn. surprised
Caleb with his mouth still open.
"Well?" said Dexter Allison-ano
Caleb recovered himself.
"well?" he countered. and then they
both laughed softly and shook hands
II was their UNMARRIED formula of greet
ing. whether they had not seen each
other for twenty-four hours or twenty
four months
And while they were shaking hanos
the boy turned quickly and reseatee
himself upon the top step. But Aiiison
GIVE him more notice than had MS
daughter Barbara. He stood with MS
hands in his pockets, gazing at the
ayerted face. unconcealed and growine
amusement In the scrutiny, until Ca
leb. not vet aware of the boys WOODS
taught habit of seeing while seeming
not to see, was simultaneously annoyed
at Allison's fatuous grin and glad o.
the fact that Steve apparently was
looking the other way. After tlms
Allison raised quizzical eyes to Caleb
face. ~.
l "wel-l-I?' he intoned. and with III