Tombstone epitaph., 1917-01-07

ebbtide'.a 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 q1aint conversation of the Widow Everson and her sons Juanita found so much of the amusing that she had to school herself against too great an appreciation of their utterly unin- tentional humor. Though she was "fotched-On woman" to be taken on probation. 1t was only a matter of hours before the family capitulated. as people in general had fashion of do- ing under the spell of her graciousness and charm. Jerry Eyerson. whom men accounted surly. for the first time in years brushed his shapeless hat and remembered not to hang it on the floor" and Sim Everson 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 al the rim of the crest, opening its yerdure like d 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 or hills melted into the sky. She looked to the west. and there, too, they rose. phalanX on phalanX, 10 dissolve in a smoky haze that effaced the hori- zOn. IL seemed as if in a majesty of relentlessness they reached from sun rise 10 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 a space the l road ran near the brick house. un- shielded by the woods. struggling little cortese. At it's front rode a stoop-shouldered man In whom. even at that far distance, she thought she recognized the missionary. Behind him came a few horsemen riding in two squads, and between the squads crawled a "iolt-wagon" drawn by mules. She knew that the Haveys were bringing back to the frontier the enemys dead. and she shuddered at the cold reality.
 It may have been three hours later ! that Good Ause Talbott rode up to | the Widow Eyerson's When the girl, who had returned long ago from the | crest. came out to meet him at the l door she found him talking there with ! Nilt MCBTiar, who had also ridden up, i but from the other direction. "Anse Havey lows" the preacher was saying. that he hes done fetched home ther body of little Nash Watt, an thet ther boy was shot ter death a layin' in ther la'rel hundred paces | from the winder whar Cal Douglas was a standinH"
 I've done already acknowledged thet," declared Milt in a voice into which crept a trace of truculent sul- l lenness.
 The missionary nodded T 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. Hes willin' ter stand pledge thet ther Haveys keeps faith. But I'm a preacher of the Gawspel of God. Milt, and I don't low ter be no go-between without both of you men does keep faith"
 Nilt 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 a voice too soft for sincerity.
 The missionary did not drop his steady and compelling eyes from the gaze direct. IL was as if he were read ing through the pupils Of the other and l searching the dark heart.
 q 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 effectiveness slipped from him and his voice rose raspingly Did Anse Havey learn ye thet speech?"
 Good Anse Talbot shook his head patiently.
 No. I told Anse ther same thing I'm a-tellin' you. Neither Anse ner ther four men that fetches theT body will hev any sort of weepon about 'em when they comes acrost thet stile We've got ter give me yOre hand thet none of yore men hain't goin' ter be armed. I'm a servant of ther Most High God" For an instant fire blazed in the preachers eyes and his voice mounted with feryor. Fer years I've done sought ter teach his grace an his hatred of murder ter ther people oi these hyar hills. When you two men shakes hands on this truce I aims ter be standin' by with a rifiegun in my hands. an ef sees anything crooked I'm goin' ter use hit"
 C.. C