The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-06-05
VII,
spun-GoId Hair, Blue Eyes and Vari.
Gus Encounters.

Gus Encounters.
She was quite of his pres
ence, n yet he was directly in her
path, though some distance away Her
head "a bent her mien was thought
ful. her stride slow and aimless.
She was slender, graceful and evil
IDENTIFY quite tall, although she seemed
q pigmy among the towering giants
that attended her stroll. Her hands
were thrust deep into the pocket Of
a white duck skirt. a glance revealed
white shoes and trim ankles in blue.
She wore no hat. Her hair WAS like
spun gold, thick, wavy and simmer
ing in the subdued light.
Suddenly she stopped and looked up.
He had q full view of her face as she
gazed about as if startled by some un-
expected, even alarming sound. For Il
second or two he held his breath,
stunned by the amazing loveliness that
was revealed to him. Then she dis
covered him standing there.
In a flash he realized that he was
kdSS w 1lN viii lit SlLiileSt ~ llls'
day before. He took two or three i'm.
pulsive steps forward, his hand going
to his hat-and then halted. Evident
ly his enses had deceived him. There
was no smile in her eyes-anu yet he
could have sworn that it was there an
instant before. Instead there was Il
level stare.
II am sorry If I startled" he be-
gan.
The figure of a man appeared as if
discharged bodily from some magic
tree-trunk, and stood directly in his
path-a tall, rugged man in ovcraliS
was he, who held a spade in his hand
and eyed him inilnically. Without an
other glance in his direction tho first
and more pleasing vision turned on
her heel and continued her stroll.
saur,tering off to the right. her fair
head once more bent in study, he,
back %eloquently Indifferent to the give
that followed her.
"Who do you want to sce?" inquired
the man with the spade.
Before Barnes could reply a hearty
voice %accosted him from behind. Ne
whirled and saw O'Dowd approaching,
not twenty yards away. The Irish.
mans ace was aglow with pleasure.
II knew l couldn't be mistaken in
che shape Of you," he cried. advancing
with outstretched hand. you've got
the breadth of a dockhand in YOU.
shoulders and the trimness of a prize
fighter in your waist"
They shook hands. II fear I an,
trespassing." said Barnes. His glance
went over his shoulder as lie spoke.
The man with the spade had beer swal.
lowed up by the earth! He could not
have vanished more quickly in ANY
other way. Off among the trees were
Intermittent flashes of blue and white
II am quite sure you are" sale
O'Dowd promptly but without IL trace
Of unfriendliness in his manner. BE
dad, loving him as l do. | can't heir
saying that Curtis is a bally old crank
Mind We, I'd say it to his face-I Otter
do. for the matter Of that. OF course
he went on seriously. "hc Is T. s,c!
man, poor devil. You see I've knnwl
hing for a dozen years and mo:c. an,
he :ikes me, though God knows why
unless it may be that | once did hi.
o a good turn In London"
Sufficient excuse for reparation.
should say" smiled Barnes.
II introduced the lad to me only sis
ter" said O'Dowd, land she kept hin
happy for the next ten years. NJ
doubt I also provided Mr.. Curtis will
three grandchildren he might never
have had but for my gracfousness.'
4 look Of distress came into his merry
eyes. by Jove. I'd like nothing bet