Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-02-04
CHAPTER Viii.

As days grew into weeks Bad Anse
Havey heard nothing Of the establish
ing of a school at the head of Tribula-
ton, though all the gossip of the coun-
tryside which might interest a dicta-
tor filtered through the valleys to his
house.
He smiled a little over the copy of
Plutarch's Lives" which was the COM
panion of his leisure moments, and
held his counsel. While he thought OF
Juanita herself with a resentment
which sprang from hurt pride, he felt
for her. as a menace to his power, only
contempt.
But Juanita's resolve had in no wise
weakened. She had seen that her
original ideas had all been chaotic and
born of ignorance, 80 she occupied her
self, like q good and patient general,
In pulling all the pins out Of her little
war map and drafting q completely
Few plan Of campaign.
With Good Anse Talbot she rode up
dwindling w~atercourses to the novels
Of the "branch-water folks" and across
hills wheresoever the cry Of sickness
or distress called him, and since his
Introduction was an open sesame, she
found welcomes where she went.
And soon this figure, that walked
with an almost lyric grace. yet with a
boyish strength and litheness, became
familiar along the roads and trails.
Instead Of asking, who mought tibet
BET" mountaineers nodded and said:
''Thet's her." and some women added:
God bless tibet child"
She had been into many gloomy
cabins that repealed the brightness of
the summer sun, and she had been
more like sunlight than anything that
had ever come through their narrow
doors before.
She sometimes rode over to the
cabin Of fetch McNash and brought
little Dawn back with her to spend a
day or two. The "furrin" girl and the
mountain girl wandered together in
the woods, and Dawn's difidence gave
way and her alteration grew. Twice
Juanita found another visitor at the
McNash cabin-Bad Anse Havey. He
recognized her only with a naughty
nod, like that of an Indian chief, and
she gave him in return a slight incli
nation of her head, accompanied by q
glance of starry contempt in her violet
eyes. Yet, in the attitude Of the noun
taineers to the man, she saw such
hero-worship as might have been &C
corded to some democratic young
monarch walking freely among his
subjects.
Once Fetch said: "Ma'am, how's
yore school a-comin' on? Air ye git
tin things started ter suit YET"
Juanita flushed.
mot yet" she answered. I'm try
ing to get acquainted first. When
do start, l hope to make up for los
time"
81 reckon tibet school will be a RICH
good thing over thar; don't ye low
So, Anse?" Fletch's g%ood-nature(
density had not recognized the hos
tility between his two guests.
Anse laughed quietly.
81 reckon" he said, $50 long as thu
lady Just keeps on sayin' not yet tina,
won't be no harm done. l don't guar
rel with dreams"
The lady flushed, and a hot rotor
rose to her lips. but she only smiled.
I'm biding my time, Fetch" sh'
assured him. my dream will com
true"
But for this dreams fulfllment sh
must have land. There must be dorm
tories for boys and girls, and play
grounds where muscles and brains
grown slow from heavy harness, coul
be quickened. She fancied hersel
listening to the laughter Of childre'
who had not before learned to laugh
But as she made inquiries Of lane
holders whom a price might tempt t
sell. she was met everywhere with
reserve which puzzled her until a barr
footed and slouching farmer gave he
0 cue to its cause.
This man rubbed his brown toe I
the dust and spoke In a lowered voic'
ct don't mind tellin' ye tibet I'd b
plumb willin' ter sell out an move,
His eyes shone greedily as he added
Fer a fair fgger, but I moughtn't hv
ter move Of / sold out"
what do you mean?" she aske'
much puzzled.
wall, I wouldn't hardly like ter he
tAis travel back ter Bad Anse, but "