The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-02-08

ebb-tide. and had he stretched out his
arms. she would have shaken her head
wearily on abstract resolves and come
into their embrace. But he was not
there.
In the quaint conversation OF the
Widow Everson and her sons Juanita
found 30 much of the amusing that she
had to school herself against too great
an appreciation of their utterly unin-
territorial humor. Though she was q
"fotched-on woman" to be taken on
probation, 1t was only a matter of
hours before the family capitulated, as
people In general had a fashion of do
ing under the spell Of her graciousness
and charm. Jerry Everson, whom men
accounted surly. for the first time in
| years brushed his shapeless hat and
remembered not to hang 1t on the
floor" and Sim Eyerson hied him into
the misty woods at dawn and brought
home squirrels for her first breakfast
in his house.
In the forenoon of her first day she
left the house and, crossing the tiny
garden where the weeds were already
growing tall and rank enough to hint
of future ragged victory, she made her
way by narrow trail that led to the
crest of the ridge.
Juanita was steering her course for
patriarchal poplar that sent a
straight shaft heavenward at the rim
of the crest, opening its verdure like a
great flag, unfurled on a mighty para
| pet. She knew that up there she
could look two ways across the divide,
and that her battle-ground would be
spread before her
She looked to the east, and line after
line of hills melted into the sky. She
looked to the west, and there, too. they
rose, phalanx on phalanx, to dissolve
in smoky haze that effaced the hori-
zon. 1t seemed as If In majesty Of
relentlessness they reached from sun
rise to sunset. and so, as far as the
locked-in life of their people went.
they might.
She stood there a long while, and
finally she saw, where for space the
road ran near the brick house, un-
| shielded by the woods, struggling
| little cortege. At its front rode a
stoop-shouldered man In whom, even
recognized the missionary. Rehind
him came a few horsemen riding in
two squads. and between the squads
crawled "jolt-wagon" drawn by
mules. She knew that the Haveys
were bringing back to the frontier the
enemy's dead. and she shuddered at
the cold reality.
1t may have been three hours later
that Good Anse Talbot rode up to
the Widow Everson's. When the girl
who had returned long ago from the
crest. came out to meet him at the
door she found him talking there with
Milt McBriar, who had also ridden up.
but from the other direction.
"Anse Havey lows" the preacher
was saying, that he hes done fotched
home ther body of little Nash Watt,
an thet ther boy was shot ter death
layin' in ther la'rel hundred PAGES
from the winder whar Cal Douglas was
standinI"
| I've done already acknowledged
thet," declared Milt in voice into
which crept a trace Of truculent sui
lenness.
The missionary nodded. Il hain't
quite through yit. Milt." he went on
evenly, and the girl who stood lean
ing against the door-frame, caught for
an instant a sparkle of zealot earnest
ness in his weary eyes.
"Anse is willin' ter take yore hand
on this truce. He's willin' ter stand
pledge thet ther Haveys keeps faith.
But I'm a preacher of the Gawspel of
God. Milt. and don't low ter be no
go-between without both of you men
does keep faith"
Milt McBriar stiffened resentfully,
and his dark brows drew together un-
der his hat brim.
Does ye doubt thet I'll do what l
says?" he inquired in voice too soft
for sincerity.
The missionary did not drop his
steady and compelling eyes from the
gaze direct 1t was as If he were read
ing through the pupils of the other and
searching the dark heart.
81 aims ter see thet ye both starts
out fair. Milt," he said, still quietly.
AN ter thet end l aims ter admonish
ye both on ther terms of this meetin
atween ye."
For an instant Milt McBriar's sem
blance of calm reflectiveness slipped
from him and his voice rose raspingly
did Anse Havey learn ye thet
speech?"
Good Anse Talbot shook his head
patiently.
No. told Anse ther same thing
I'm a-tellin' you. Neither Anse ner
ther four men that fetches ther body
will hev any sort Of weepon about
'em when they comes acrost thet stile.
Ye've got ter give me yore hand thet
/ nnna of ynre men hain,t q Rnin, ter he