Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1916-02-04

go over there or shall ] go back an
fotch him here?"
Juanita rose from the hammock and
stood unsteadily in the blue moon
light-an image of ivory and ebony.
The man clasped both hands behind
his back and gripped them there
waiting. But despite his seeming OF
confidence and calm his brain rceled
gloriously with an intoxication of the
soul He saw her standing there.
straight and 1.-THE and slender, with
the moon-washed sky at her back and
the inky shadows of the porch u row.
ing the picture in,o a vivid relief
She took an involuntary step to-
ward him with lifted arms, and then,
with a strong effort, as II struggling
against a SPELL she drew back again,
and her voice came very low and
broken.
II can't can't" she pleaded.
But wish to God I could"
Then Anse Havey began to speak.
we've talked, an I've listened to
We. Ye've taken my life away from
me an made 1t a little scrap Of your
own life-ye've let us both come to
needin each other more than food an
drink an breath. For ne there's no
life without We. In all the earth there's
woman in the world a day comes when
there's Just one man, an for every
man there's just one woman When
that day comes nothin' else counts.
That's why all them reasons of yours
don't mean anything"
His voice had the ring of triumph
as he added: You're goin' to marry
me tonight. Gomez"
He raised both arms and held them
out, and though for a moment she
hung back, her eyes were still irresist-
ibly held by his and the magnetism
that dwelled in them. With a gasp-
ing exclamation that was half surren.
der and half echo of his own triumph
she swept into mis- embrace.
AS she locked her fingers caressing.
ly behind his dark head she wished
for words fine and splendid beyond the
ordinary to tell him of her love. But
no phrases of eloquence came.
Then she felt his arms grow abrupt
ly rigid and he was pressing her from
him with a gentle insistence. while his
face turned to peer into the moonlight
with the tensity of one who is listen
ing not only with his ears, but with
every nerve of his being.
Slowly he drew back, still tense
and alert, and from his eyes the ten
der glow died until they narrowed End
hardened ard the jaw angle stiffened
and the lips drew themselves into
their old line of warlike sternness.
She looked again into the face OF the
mountaineer, the feudist, of the Wild
creature turning to stand at bay.
For a moment they remained mo-
tionless, and her fingers rested on
his arms and felt the strain on his
tautened biceps.
God" he muttered almost in
audibly.
what is it," she whispered, but
he replied only with warning shake
Of the head.
Once more he stood listening then
gently turned her so that his body
was between her and the outside
world. He thrust her back into the
open door and followed her inside.
His words came slowly, and though
they were calm they carried very
bitter note.
II must 60. | hoped they'd let me
live long enough to marry we, but ]
reckon they're weary of bidin' their
time"
He had closed the door and stood
looking down at her with a deep hun
ger in his face.
What is it, Anse? What did you
hear out there?' Her face had gone
pallid and she chung to his arms with
a grip that indicated no intention of
release.
"Nothin much. Just the crackin' OF
a twig or two: just some steps in the
bush that was too cautious to sound
honest; little noises that wouldn't
mean much II didn't know what they
do mean. They weren't friendly
SOuuuS, 1Hey re dittl me.
who? What do you mean?"
Her voice came in low panic OF
whispering, and even as she spoke the
man was listening with his head bent
toward the closed door.
He laughed mirthlessly under his
breath.
81 don't know who they've picked
out to get me. It don't matte. much,
does 1t? But | know they've picked
tonight. I've been lookin' for II, but
It seems they might have let me have
tonight" His lips smiled. and for
an instant his eyes softened again 20
tenderness. This was my night
our night"
IF they are out there. Anse-"
her eyes flashed suddenly and her grip
tightened-"you shant go. won't let
you 60. In this house you are behind
walls at least can't let you 60
Its the only way" he told der, and
again she read unshakable resolve
written In his face. My best chance
h.,., ,.,nuusaiua IN a. a