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

Gus Encounters.
She was quite unaware of his pres
ence, and vet he was directly in her
path, though some distance away. Her
head was bent !; her mien was thought
full. her stride slow and aimless.
She was slender, graceful and evil
IDENTIFY quite tall, although she seemed
a 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 sublued light.
Suddenly she stopped and looked up.
He had q full view of her face as she
gszed about as if startled by some IN
expected, eve 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
face to face with the stranger Of tn"
day before. He took two or three I'M.
pulsive steps forward, his hand going
to his hat-and then halted. Evident
ly his senses had deceived him. There
was no smile in her eyes-;nd yet he
could have sworn that it was there an
instant before. Instead there was IL
level stare.
II am sorry If I startled" be be-
gan.
The figure of n man appeared as if
discharged bodily from solne magic
tree-trunk, and stood directly in his
rath-a tall, rugged mar in overails
was he, who held a spade in his hand
and eyed him inimically. Without an
other glance in his direction the first
and more pleasing vision turned on
her heel and continued her stroll.
s%aur,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 tn sce?" inquired
the man with the spade.
Before Barnes could reply a hearty
voice accosted him from behind. lie
whirled and saw O'Dowd approaching,
got twenty yards away. The Irish.
mans face 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 OH.
shoulders and the trimness Of a prize
fighter in your waist"
They shook hands. II fear l an
trespassing." said Barnes. His glance
went over his shoulder as lie spoke
The man with the spade had been swal.
lowed up by the earth! He could no,
have vanished more quickly in anA
other way. Off among the trees were
Intermittent flashes of blue and white
II am quite sure you are" sait
O'Dowd promptly but without IL trn,,
OF unfriendliness in his manner. BE
dad, loving him as l do. | can't IlelI
saying that Curtis is a bally old crank
Mind We, I'd say it to his fuct-I Otter
do. for the matter Of that. OF course.
he went on seriously. "hc is q SIC!
man, poor devil. You see I've knew.
hilp for a dozen years and mo:r. an,
ne :ikes me, though Cod knows why
unless 1t may be that | once did hi!
son a good turn In London"
"Sufficient xcu for PREPARATION.
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. N,
doubt I also provided Mr.. Curtis will
three grandchildren he might neve
have had but for my graciousness.
4 look Of distress came into his merr,
eJes. by Jove. I'd like nothing bet