The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-01-29

Al AHUV
N . ! A
HE Pipe clamped Between His Teeth
His Heart fostering In His Breast. z
Anse Havey one afternoon. when ,ney
met up on the ridge.
Her chin came up pridefully and her
eyes sparkled. 4
1T has been wonderful" she told
him. only one thing has marred it,
What's that?" he asked.
Your aloofness. Just because I'm
going to smash your wicked regime. -
she laughed. Ts no reason why you
should remain peeved about It and
sulk. in your tent"
He shook his head and gazed away,
Into his eyes came that troubled look
which nowadays they sometimes wore,
Il reckon it wouldn't hardly be hon.
est for me to come. I've told ye |
don't think the thing will do no good.''
He was looking at her and his hands
slowly clenched. Her beauty, with the
enthusiasm lighting her eyes, made
him feel like man whose thirst was
killing him and who gazed at clear
spring beyond his reach--or, like the
caravan driver whose sight is tortured
by 2 mirage. He drew q long breath,
then added: =
I've got another reason an q
stronger one for not comm over there
very often. Any time ye wants me for
anything ] reckon We knows I'll come p
What 10 your reasoni" she demand.
ed. tA n
u ain't never been much Interested
In any woman" He held her eyes "a
directly that q warm color suddenly
flooded her cheeks. then he went on
with naked honesty and an uncon.
cealed bitterness Of heart: "When 4
puty myself Ia the Wy Of hkvin' I'd
love One, III PICK i woman that va won't
have to bs ashained OF me--some
mountain woman. ... Sa a,
For an instant she stared, at him N
astonishment, then she. exclaimed: !:
"Ashameti Of youl don't think any
woman would be ashsmed OF you, Mr.
Havey... but recognising that her voice
had been overserious, abe laughed. and
once more her eyes danced with gay
mischief. 95,'I
Don't be afraid Of me. ri promise
not to mako love 70 you" g.,gi.
'H'm obleeged," he. said slowly,
THAT amt what I'm skeered of. I'm
afraid ye couldn't hardly stop me from
maxim love to YOU"
He paused. and the badinage left
her eyes.
"Mr. Havey." she said with great
seriousness. I'm glad you said that.
Il gives US a chance to start honestly
as all true friendship should start. In
some things any woman is wiser than
any man You won't fall In love with
me. You thought you were going to
hate me. but you don't"
God knows DON'T" he fercely In.
terrupted her.
Neither will you fall In love with
me. You told me once Of your superior
age and wisdom. but in some things
you are still a boy. You are a very
lonely boy. too-a hoy with q heart
hungry for companionship. You have
had friends only in books-comrade.
ship only in dreams. You have lived
down there In that old prison of a
house with a sword Of Damocles hang.
Ing always over your head. Because
we have been In q way congenial, you
are mistaking our friendship for dan.
ger Of love-"
Danger of love! He knew that II
had gone past mere danger, and his
eyes for moment must have shown
that he realized It's hopelessness, but
Juanita shook her head and went on:
Don't do 1t. 1t woald be pity. I'm
rather hungry, too, for friend; !
don't mean for a friend in my work,
but friend In my life. Can't we be
friends like that?"
She stood looking into his eyes, and
slowly The drawn look Of gravity left
his face.
He had always thought quickly and
dared to face realities. He was now
facing his hardest reality. He loved
her with utter hopelessness. Her eyes
told him that 1t must always be Just
that way. and yet she had appealed to
him-she had said she needed his
friendship. To call 1t love would make
1t necessary for her to decline It.
Hcnccforth life for Anse Havey was
to mean heartache, but II she want
ed his allegiance she might call II
what she would. 1t was hers.
Swiftly he vowed In his heart to set
seal on his lips and play the part she
had assigned to him.
I'm right glad ye said that" he an
sured her. IL reckon yere right.
reckon we can 60 on hghtn' and bein