The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-12-27

her so distrustfully from across the ta-
ble and gurgled again. 1t was terribly
silly. but she simply could not help
seeing Ward Warren calmly fllling that
washOut with dead Indians so that he
might carry her across II In his arms.
The more she tried to forget that the
funnter 1t became. She ended by leav.
ing the table and retiring precipitateiy
to her own tiny room in the lean-to
where she buried her face as deep as
1t would so In q puffy pillow OF wild
duck feathers.
lie. poor devil, could not be expected
to know just what had amused her
so. lie did know that II somehow con-
cerned himself, however. lie took up
his position mentally behind the wall
Of alOofness which stood between him.
self aud nn unfriendly world, and when
Billy Louise came out later to help
with the dishes he was sitting ab-
sorbed In a book.
The next morning the blizzard ragged,
so that Warren stayed as n matter Of
course. Peter Howling Dog had not
returned. so Warren did the chores
and would not let Billy Louise help
with anything.
II wish We could get him to stay
all winter instead Of that Peter Howl
ing Dog" Mrs. Macdonald said anx-
iously after he had gone out. II just
know Peters or drinking. don't
Think he's safe man to have around,
Billy Louise. didn't when you hired
him. haven't felt easy a minute
with him on the place. l wish you'd
hire Mr. Warren, Billy Louise. He's
nice and quiet
And he's got a ranch of his own
lie doesn't strike me as q man who
wants a job milking two cows and
carrying slop to the pigs. mommie."
We'll, I'd feel lot easier if we had
him instead OF that breed. Only we
ain't even got the breed half the time.
This is the third time he's disappeared
in the two months we've had him.
really think you ought to speak to Mr.
Warren, Billy Louise"
Speak to him yourself. You're the
one that wants him." Billy Louise an
swered somewhat sharply. She adored
her mother but if she had to run the
ranch she did wish her mother would
not interfere and give advice just at
the wrong time.
"WCll, you needn't be cross about It.
You know yourself that Peter can't be
depended on minute. There he went
Off yesterday and never fed the pigs
their noon slOp, and had to carry it
out myself. And my lumbago has
bothered me ever ~incc just like II
was going to give me another spell.
You can't be here all the time. Billy
Louise - leastways you ain't - and
Peter
"Oh, good gracious, mOmmie! told
you to hire the man If you want him.
Only Ward Warren Isn't
Ward Warren pushed open the door
and looked from one to the other, his
eyes two question marks. isn't
what?" he asked and shut the door
behind him with the mir of one who is
ready for anything.
Isn't the kind Of man who wants TO
hire out to do chores" Billy Louise
finished and looked at him straight
Are you? MOmmie wants to hire
you"
"Oh. well, was just about to ask
FOR the job, anyway" He laughed.
md the distrust left his eyes. "As a .
matter of fact, was going over to /
lin T.nrson's to hang ont for the rest
If the winter and get away from the
onesomeness of the hills. The old
Turks pretty good friend of mine.
But 1t looks to me as If you two need
ID something around that looks like
| man heap more than Jim does.
inow Peter Howling Dog to a fare
You'll be all to the good if
le forgets to come back. SO If You'll
stake me to meal now and then and
| place to sleep I'll be glad to see you
through the winter or until you get
,ome white man to take my place"
lie took up the two water pals and
waited. glancing from one to the other
with that rcpressed smile which Billy
Louise was beginning to look for in
lis face.
Now that matters had approached
he point of decision her mother stood
ooking at her helplessly, waiting for
Ter to speak. Billy Louise drew her
'elf up primly and ended by contra.
ilcting the action. She gave him a
'idelong glance which he was least
prepared to withstand, though, in Jus
ice to Billy Louise. she was absolute
y unconscious Of its general effective
less and twisted her lips whimsically.
We'll stake you to a book, a BAN
rock and a bed II you want to stay,
Nr. Warren" she said quite soberly;
also to a pitchfork and an ak, II you
ike. and regular wages"
His eyes went to her and steadied
here with the intent expression in
hem. Thanks. Cut out the wages
md I'll take the offer just as 1t
tands," he told her and pulled his hat
arther down on his head. "She's 60
ng to be one stormy night. lay-dees,"
lie added in quite another tone on his
way to the door. "Five o'clock by the
own clock. and al-lPs well!' This
asst in still another tone as he pushed
tut against ,le swoOping wind and
pulled the door shut With q slam.