Tombstone epitaph., 1917-02-25
CHAPTER XXI.

That spring new buildings went up at the school and brave rows of flow. CTS appeared in the garden
 At first her college had been a kin. dergarten in effect. but now as Juani. wondered if any other schoolmistress had ever drawn about her such e strange assortment of pupils. There were little tots in bright calico, glory. ing in big bows of cotton hair-ribbon but submitting grudgingly to the combing of the hair they sought to adorn. There were larger boys and girls, too, and even half-dozen men just now pitching horseshoes and smoking pipes-and they also were learning to read and write.
 In the afternoons women rode in on mules and horses or came on foot. and Juanita taught them not only letters and figures, but lessons looking to cleaner and more healthful cabins.
 May came with smiles and songs in the sky from sunrise to sunset and in the woods, where the moisture rose and tender greens were sending out their hopeful shoots, the wild flowers unfolded themselves. Then Juanita Holland and Anse Havey would go to- gether up to the ridge and watch the great awakening across the brown and gray humps of the hills. and under their feet was a carpet of glowing petals.
 Anse Havey had never had such a companionsh.p, and hidden things be gan to waken in him.
 So when she stood there. with the spring breeze caressing the curling tendrils at her temples. and blowing her gingham skirt about her slim ankles, and pointed of, smiling, to his house. he dropped his head in mock shame
 "'Only the castle moodily gloomed to itself apart" she quoted in accu. sation. and the man laughed boyishly.
 'T reckon ye haven't seen the castle lately" he said. "Ye wouldn't hardly know it. It's gettin' all cleaned up an made civilized. The eagles nest is turnin' into a sure-enough bird cage"
 Who's changing now?" she ban tered. Am l civilizing you or"-her eyes danced with badinage-"are you preparing to get married?"
 His face flushed and then became almost surly.
 Who'd marry me?" he savagely de manded.
 I'm sure I don't know" she leased. Whom have you asked?"
 He bent a little forward and said slowly:
 -Once ye told me I was wasting my youth. Ye lowed ought to be captain of my soul. If 1 found woman that I wanted and she wouldn't have me what ought to do about it?".
 There are two courses prescribed in all the correspondence schools. and both are perfectly simple" she an- nounced with mock gravity. One Is simply to take the lady first and ask her afterward. The other is even easier; get another girl"
 "Oh." he said. He was hurt because she had either not seen or had pre- tended not to see his meaning. She had not grasped the presumptuous dream and effrontery of his heart
 His voice for a moment became enigmatical as he added: Sometimes I think ye've played hell in these mountains"
 That spring silent forces were at work in the hills; az silent and less benefcent than the stirring sap and the brewing of showers.
 Three men in the mountains were now fully convinced that what the world needs the world will have. and they were trying to find a solution to the question which might make their own people sharers in the gain. in stead of victims. These three were Anse and Milt and Jeb. and their frU step was the effort to hold landowners in check. and make them slow to seI and guarded in their bargaining. ITO RB CONTINJIHnN