The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-02-15
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 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. so she occupied her
self. like a good and patient general.
In pulling all the pins out of her little
war map and drafting completely
new plan of campaign.
With Good Anse Talbot she \ ode up
dwindling watercourses 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 sesa ne. she
found welcomes where she went
and soon this figure. that walked
with an almost lyric grace. yet with
boyish strength and litheness. became
familiar along the roads and trails.
Instead OF asking. who mought thet
be?" mountaineers nodded and said;
'Thet's her" and some women added.
God bless thet child"
She had been into many gloomy
cabins that repelled 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 Fletch McNash and brought
little Dawn back with her to spend
day or two. The "furrin" girl and the
mountain girl wandered together in
the woods. and Dawn's difiidence gave
way and her alteration grew. Twice
Juanita found another visitor at the
McNash cabin-Bad Anse Havey. He
recognized her only with naughty
nod. like that OF an Indian chief, and
She gave him in return a slight incli-
hation OF her head, accompanied by
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 ac-
corded to some democratic young
monarch walking freely among his
subjects.
Once Fietch said; "Ma'am, how's
yore school a-comin' on? Air ye git
ips pta aI tar u,tit
Juanita flushed.
Not yet" she answered. I'm try
ing to get acquainted first. When
do start. l hope to make up for lost
time"
81 reckon thet school will be a right
good thing over thar; don't ye low
so, Anse?" Fletch's good-natured
density had not recognized the hos
tility between his two guests.
Anse laughed quietly.
81 reckon" he said. so long as the
lady Just keeps on sayin' not yet thar
won't be no harm done. don't quar-
rel with dreams"
The lady flushed, and hot retort
rose to her lips. but she only smiled.
I'm biding my time. Fletch," she
assured him. My dream will come
true"
But for this dreams fulfillment she
must have land. There must be dormi-
tories for boys and girls, and play
grounds where muscles and brains.
grown slow from heavy harness. could
be quickened. She fancied herself
listening TO the laughter of children
who had not before learned to laugh.
But as she made inquiries of land
holders whom a price might tempt to
sell. she was met everywhere with
reserve which puzzled her until a bare
footed and slouching farmer gave her
a cue to its cause.
This man rubbed his brown toe in
the dust and spoke in a lowered voice.
81 don't mind tellin re thet I'd be
plumb willin' ter sell out an move"
His eyes shone greedily as he added:
Fer a fair flgger, but moughtn't live
ter move ef sold out
What do you mean?" she asked.
much puzzled.
Wall. wouldn't hardly like ter hev
sAia travel back ter Bad Anse. but I've