The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-09-27
BY
Robert Ames Bennett

downcnst. Yet she must have watched
him covertly through her long lashes.
The tea vas hot. He slipped 1t slowly
and gloated on the girls confusion. Tn.
nble longer to endure the strain. Oinna
ut last faltered In timid desperation 4:
"You-you are Mr.. Van. Charlie-he
said you and he are partners.
"Partnersi" repeated vandervyn with
n quick frown. He said that7"
The girl shrank back. sPlease. sir,
he didn't mean anything wrong"
"What more did he sayT"
"Nothing-only that. Please, It's
only hisway Of talking"
That's all right. Don't be afraid"
| vandervyn treasured her with q quick
change to smiling friendliness. II am
Charles best friend"
"Oh. thank you. thank you! He Is
my only brother. We have nobody
else; only ourselves"
In her gratitude the girl forgot her
self.consciousn,ss. She raised her
soft eyes and looked full at Wander.
vyn. He smiled and bent nearer
Though she blushed scarlet. she was
unable 10 turn her gaze away from his
ardent blue eyes.
"O-ee-nah," he drew gu, her name In
the caressing tone that he would have
used in fondling n pet dog.
She smiled even as she trembled. He
came closer. Her gaze wavered and
sank before the look In his glowing
eyes, and she shrank back. He sought
70 put his arm about her. but she
sprang clear with the agility OF u star
tied doe.
ooh. come now!" he urged. "Just n
kiss. What's the harm OF n kiss!'
The girl had retreated into the cabin.
He blocked the door. There was no
way for her to elude him II he wished
to press his vantage.
mo, no. plense!" she begged. AT
school they told me only bad girls let
men kiss them"
"Bah !" he scoffed. "What do those
old fossils know about itT His voice
deepened I o an alluring richness.
Come. I will not hurt you, Oinna.
Give me a kiss"
LET me-let me out I" she painted.
mot unless you pay toll"
She looked around for some way OF
escape. There was non She stared
wildly out through the window and
then looked Mt him owe her shoulder.
The sudden stiffness Of her pose
checked and disquieted him. Was II
possible that she had seen her brother
returning?
He sprang outside and around to the
corner of the cabin. A short distance
away he saw Marie Dupont riding
across from the road Mt n smart can.
ter. He waved his hat to her and faced
about just as Oinna was gliding from
the door.
"Stop!" he called In a tom that
forced the girl TO obey. Don't be silly,
Oinna. You have my word for 1t ]
meant no harm. II you run now. Miss
Dupont will think we have been doing
something wrong"
ooh, ] don't want her TO. She was
good to me. Don't let her think bad
of me-" implored the girl.
"Thcn go In and get her n cup OF
tea. Quick-here she comes"
The girl disappeared ms Marie's pony
swung around the corner of the cabin
Vandervyn stopped to fiddle with his
stirrup leather. lie Strengthened, and
looked over his pony's back. Marie
had pulled up n few feet away. nnC
was staring past him toward the dool
of the cabin, her checks ablaze ant
her eyes flashing with anger.
"IIello! !" he exclaimed, CHANGING ovel
his shoulder with well-feigned surprise
whats the matterf"
"You ask that?" she cried. " me
Charlie half way to the agency. ii,
said you were riding out of the val
ley"
Eyes. Stopped here to get a drlnl
from his sister. They have only creel
water. I've had to wait while sh'
boiled some for tea. But It was
lucky delay-you're here. You'll rid
with mcT"
~ wish to speak to that GIRL" re
piled Marie.
"GoIng to hire her for n kitchen
maldf" he asked, and he called owe
his shoulder In Il rough tone: "IIurr.
up In there. You're keeping Miss Du
pont waiting"
"You should not speak that way 4
Olnna. She Is not n dog" rcprovc'
Marie. "See; you have frightene,
her It's NIL right, Oinna. Mr.. Val
ildn't mean Ia be cross"
The girl had stopped In the door
way, her eyes tImidly downcast. With
out looking up. she came around 20 Ma
RTE and offered her the cup OF luke
warm tea that she had brought Il
obedience TO Vandcrvyn's command
: Marie took n sip and paused to pee
down into the dark brew.
"Mercl !" she cried. at Is hal
sugar"
you were good to me-" naively eS
: planned DIANA.
. Marie laughed and handed back tn
Offering.
"You child! Drink II yourself.
\ can puess how few sweets you'ye In