The Ordway new era., 1917-01-26
nists hung splendidly to the ridges
and tha sunset famed at his back.

mists hung splendidiy to tho ridsss
and the sunset famed at his back.
Juan,ta never knew what details Of
the incident came to Old Milt's ears.
but when next the head of the house
passed her on the road he spoke With
a diminished cordiality. and when she
stopped him he commented: 4 hear
yere a.runnin' Q Hayey school over
thar now Little Nit tells me -
warned him otien yore place"
She tried to explain. and though he
pretended TO accept all she said In
good humor. she knew in her heart
she had made a powerful and bitter
enemy.
One afternoon Anse Hayey. wander
ing through the timber on his own
side OF the ridge. came upon a lone
hunter. and when he drew near 1t
proved to be young Milt McBriar.
~Mornin'. Mill" said Havey. I didn't
know ye ever went huntin' over here"
The boy, who in feud etiquette was a
trespssser. met the scrutiny with a
level glsnce.
Il was a-gunnin' for boomers" he
squirrels OF the hills. y reckon
haint hardly got no license ter go gun
min on yore land"
Anse Havey sat down on log and
looked up al the boy steadily. At last
he said grayely:
Hunt as much as ye like. Milt, only
be heetful not 10 start no fires"
Milt nodded and turned to go. but
the older man called him back
4 want to have a word with ye,
Milt," he said soberly. u amt never
heard that neither the McBTiars nor
the Haveys countenRnced settin' are
to dvellin- houses. have you!''
Il don't know what ye means" re-
sponded the boy. and the gaze that
passed between them was that OF two
men who can look direct into any eye.
4 lowed it would astonish ye," went
on Anse- Back OF the new school
house that's still full OF shavin's an
loose timber there's little stretch OF
dry woods that comes right down to
the back door. Somebody has done
laid trail OF shavin's an leaves in
the brush there an soaked EN- with
coal-ol. Some feller aims to burn
down that schoolhouse tonight"
Did ye tell Miss Holland ?" demand
ed Milt in voice OF deep anxiety.
No. amt named it to her" Bad
Anse said with seeming Indifference
in his face. at which the lads blood
boiled.
Does ye aim ter set hyar an let her
place git burnt up?" he snapped out
wrathfully. Because If ye does, l
don't"
Anse Havey laughed.
Well. no." he replied; 'I didn't aim
TO do that"
Suddenly he rose.
What did aim to do. Milt, was
this: aimed to go down there tonight
with enough fellers TO handle either
the fire or whoever starts It | aimed
to see who vas doin' trick like that.
VIII you go with me?"
"Me?" echoed Milt in astonishment.
This idea Of the two factions acting in
consort was a decided innovation. 1t
might be trap. Suddenly the boy de-
manded: Why don't ye ask pap?"
4 don't ask your pap nothing" In
Havey's reply was quick and trucu-
lent snap that rarely came into his
voice. I'm askin' you. an you can
take my proposition or leave 1t. That
house-burner is goin' TO die. II he's one
of my people want to know it. II he's
one Of your oeopte you ought to feel
the same way. VIII you go with me?"
The boy considered the proposal for
a time in silence. Dawn would be in
danger! At last he said gravely:
Hit sounds like a fair proposition.
I'll go along with ye. an meantime I'll
keep my own counsel"