The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-09-29

"You," he murmured weakly. "You!
And Elliott said that you could out
guess dear old Mother Nature herself!
Well, I'm blankedr'
They talked no more business at
table that morning, and Allison found
scant opportunity to make himself
heard at all. Even the reticence which
seemed a part of Steve's grave face
and big body was swept aside before
the tumult of questions that tumbled
from Barbara's lips, promptly to be
supplemented by Caleb whenever her
breath gave out.
1t was minutes before Allison could
wedge In single remark, longer than
that before he stopped frowning to
himself in fashion which made Caleb
remember that moment of inexplicable
vehemenee outside on the veranda.
They had retrogressed as far as the
"injine"-the steam injine"-when Al
lison finally made himself heard.
"What | can't remember Is Just why
you left US so suddenly. know 1t was
some sort of rumpus. with Barbara
in it-there's always a woman, of
course-but | can't recall"-
He paused to ponder-paused and be-
came aware Immediately of Barbara's
swift silence and Steve's hint Of self
consciousness. Then II all returned to
him with rush. He had his turn.
"0h, but do remember" he
drawled. "Why, of course-of counsel
1t was matter of knight errantry and
ladies' fair! But who was It whose
choice conflicted with your own?".
he cooked his head on one side, mock
thoughtful; then he fell to pounding
his knee and roared with laughter.
"Archie Wickershamr' he shouted.
"Archie Wickersham-oh, Lord! nev-
er really appreciated that melee until
this minute. And you promised that
you'd be back, didn't you, and-wefl,
b'gad, here you arel Shake hands
again, Steve. And, II l may be par
doned the idiom, allow me to assure
you that 1t was some battle"
II It did nothing else, Allison's pom
derous raillery served one end. 1t re-
moved any sentimental awkwardness
which might have attached to the cpl
sode. and yet the girl rather resented
Its being so completely reduced 10
terms of farce comedy When the men
rose, after breakfast, to go down into
the town, she, too, declared her inten-
ton Of accompanying them, as though
It were the expected thing. She cross
ed the lawn at Steve's side, ahead OF
her father and Caleb, with Miss Sarah
watching from the door. Both men
walked for short time In silence,
their eyes upon the slender figure in
short skirt and woody sweater beside
the taller one In blue flannel before
them. And, as usual, Allison was the
first to speak.
Now / know what you meant when
you referred to that trip up the west
branch. Call he said. "And you were
right. 1t does take stuff to make that
sort Of gentleman. Isn't there any
thing more to tell me? am truly IN
terested, Cal"
So Caleb told him then Of "0ld
Toms" tin box. And while he was ex-
planning the man and girl ahead, all In
one breath, skipped back to that day
before yesterday, now many years
gone. There was a quality Of CANA
radere In the girls half parted lips
and eager impulsiveness Of tongue that
morning that was entirely boyish. But
whan Steve finally asked for Deyereau
Garry Devereau. who had followed
him to the hedge gap that day and
laid one hand upon bis bowed, shamed
shoulder = the light went from Bar
bata's eyea. And Stephen O'Mara, who