The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-10-13

'HoneyT"
"Who could l meanf" Joe demanded
collectedly. II didn't give him the
name, did II mean that chap Wick
ersham. who owns the timber north
Of us. Foreign, amt he? Sure, !
thought so? Well, every time run
across that mans path my heart swells
with patriotism. | guess I'm just as
glad to be born plain United States"
The first part of that statement was
listened to closely enough by both men;
the last sentence or two, for all that 1t
was heartfelt and sincere, was lost
upon them both. And Steve's mirth
was even more hysterical than was
that Of Garry Devereau.
Honey he painted Now, isn't
that wonder? Joe, you're too goodI
You as altogether too good to be
wasted on these timbered solltudes.
Men pay 81 a seat, Joe, to hear per-
formers work who are rank amateurs
In comparison with you"
The rlverman's eyes grew belliger-
ent
Funny, is it? So awful funny Wen,
perhaps you think | can't read plain
print yet, never havin enjoyed a lib
eral education But take a look for
yourself"
He pulled UP a pile Of newspapers
which had come in since their absence,
sorted out one that was creased open
and handed It to Steve. 1t was an an
nouncement Of Barbara Allison's en-
gagement to the Hon. Archibald Wick
ersham-that column to which Fat
Joe had folded the sheet-a many days
old announcement now. But the smila
did not even stiffen upon Steve's lips.
The picture which accompanied it was
a poor one, heavy Swallowed ana
smeared and lacking in detail, yet Bar
bara's face was unmistakable. The
room became quiet In that hush
Garry realized that Joes mistaken
translation Of the title had not been
as Joe had himself suggested, due pa
lack Of knowledge, but to desire VI
apprfse his employer delicately Of tho
land, miles In the heavy timber, she
had dismounted, there where the high
est loop In the road commanded its
breath taking sweep of country, ana
was sitting cross legged upon the trunk
OF fallen tree at the road edge.
Then suddenly Stephen 0'Mara In
the flesh appeared before her astride
Ragtime and leading her roam, which,
contentedly cropping the bush tops,
had disappeared a full quarter of an
hour before.
The girl gasped at the suddenness
Of his coming. She half started to rise
before she remembered the instability
OF her perch and then crouched even
lower than before when she saw that
he was not yet aware of her nearness.
She waited, eyes gleefully bright, until
he was almost opposite her before she
coughed, ever so family. Then she
tilted her nose aloft in enchanting
mimicry of his lean and forward thrust
face.
I'VE never speak," she confided dole
fully to the empty air in front of her
I'VE never speak as we pass by"
He whirled So swiftly that 1t took
her breath he was out OF the saddle
and across the road and standing knee
deep in the underground beside her.
Only his profile had been visible to her
at first. Now the white line Of his
Jaw and the light in the eyes that
searched her face chilled her even as
they sent the blood singing in every
vein. Only a few hours before she
had seen that same cold fear in Miriam
Burrell's eyes, and yet not the same,
either, for hers had been a panic OF
lost hope and the CLEAN in the mans
eyes was already only partly dread of
disaster and partly great and unmis-
taxable glow of thankfulness. Bar
bara remembered then, with a twinge
of guilt that she could have forgotten
1t so completely, the black robed figure
that had gone laundering off on the
same mount which Stephen O'Mara
was riding now. She half lifted both
hands to him apprenhensively.
You aren't going to tell me, are
you" she asked, that anything dread
full has happened to Garry?"
Dumbly, but most reassuringly, Steve
shook his head. From the top of her
hatless, wind tossed, brown crowned
head to the tips Of the absurdly small
boots tucked up beneath her he scan
ned her slim body. Barbara realized
that he was trying to speak and find
ing the effort hard. Slowly he remov-
ed his hat aud passed one hand across
his forehead
Man" he calculated fervidiy to him
self, but that's the longest hundred
yards you've ever Travelled on foot or
a-horseback" and abruptly, accusing
~ to her, do you know that I've been
months and years and ages rounding
that bend toto find you a little crum-
pied up heap in the road?
"I'm sorry" she murmured humbly.
I'm sorry to-disappoint you; but, you
see, didn't know
She laughed at him. Her lips curled,
petal-like, in gurgling peal of enjoy
ment at his shamefaced grin.
Il found your horse rolling" he ex-
planned, and his gravity was logged In
the face Of her brightness. How l
knew it was yours don't know, but
| did just the same. thought she had