Ellsworth American., 1919-12-24

I
bed, Jack was no dullard. only a mis-
fit pioneer, born hundred years too
late, ae would have brayed and con-
| suered the real wilderness. Here in a
stranded eddy OF wild country, he was
thwarted and stunted. But he did not
know it--that made part of the
tragedy. Milhy saw that Azan was
of herself no less.
| She had told him wistfully of the
| people down ON the river" They had
bottom lands, fine houses, fine clothes,
even pianos. Lutle-Anu was of them
lit was by visits to her Asan knew
the difference. No. she was not go
ing there again--no matter about rea-
sonS-it was just so. Then Mrs. Belts
had explained. solely through the me-
dium of significant mods and winks,
/ which left Milhy more than ever be-
wiidered. But Jaeksy. the biggest boy,
! to whom Milby was little short of
| demigod, said disgustedly in his ear.
| when the nodding and winking ended:
Nav thinks she's the slyest-but l
bet you don't know now no more'n
shucks what she's been tellin' ye-
| erbout Littfe-Ann hatin' Azan on ac-
count er Joe Hume. He runs the mill,
/ down yander. and Little-Ann's mind is
! sot on him-but ever sence he seen
| Azan-why he's been keepin' the path
hot here
"0h. indeed Joe. you mustn't tell
family secrets !" Mlby whispered back
and fell to looking at the fire, con-
scipus that he was unreasonably angry.
but not admitting to himself the rea-
son for it.
The revelation had come Saturday
| afternoon late. Father was away, out
| hunting despite the snow. Milby ought
to have gone with him, but had stayed
behind. At dark the hunter came
home, loaded with fur and feather,
also evidently in high good humor. He
said nothing outright, only hurried
through supper, and after 1t put half
bushel of vans to roast. Then he
made up the big room fire. chuckling
hard as he did it. 1t was hardly in
full blaze before the dogs howled in
chorus, gay shouts rang above the howl
ings, and father, flinging wide the door,
rushed outside saying over his shoul-
der to Milby, you've done seen er
snowstorm-now Wen show We n
storm of ernother sort"
Thus began the storm party-a
dozen young men and women, with
the household by surprise. Father
had somehow got wind of thence
| the haste and the potato roast. He
knew there were friedcakes and sau-
| sage enough for all already In hand I;
/ cider likewise. and coffee for the max
ing. Proudly hospitable as he was
| thriftless, he joyed to see the crowd.
Azan darted upstairs at the first sound
of 1t and came down cloaked and hat
ted, saying with the most natural air
| of surprise, well. | am glad to see
! somebody about! Jest had thought I'd
| run down TO Jenningses-bu now of
course I'll be mighty glad to stay"
| Milby smiled covertly over the art
| less maneuver-she wanted them all
| to see her new tinery. He had known
before she was heautiful-now he un-
| derstood what her beauty might mean
| to him. 'I'll be back in two shakes Of
er sleeps tail" she called gayly, turn
ing to go upstairs again. But a TALL
handsome young fellow barred her
way, saying humbly: Come with me.
Azan-you know you halfway prom.
ised. | thought 1t would be fine to
steal We frum yer folks-but by the
Lord. want TO take We boldly-in the
face o'-everybody."
The fiddlers checked their tuning up
silence as of the grave fell every
where. Even the shuffiing children
stood stock-still. Little-Ann, brave
in her gold beads. her chain and locket,
and gorgeous blue gown, wrung her
! hands voicelessly, her dull face ashen.
Azan turned about. her eyes starry. her
cheeks like damask roses. "I CANT
come. Joe" she said low but clearly.
tive been wicked-takin' you frum
Little-Ann. l didn't know-aothin'
about-love-then.' the words coming
hard. "Now-I know-it's worse'n a
murderer. You go back to her. She
deserves ye."
How come you ter learn?" Joe de-
manded fiercely, making a step toward
the girl. She looked appealingly at
Milby and dropped her head. With a
bound he was beside her. holding both
her hands and saying to the rest: "If
| indeed have taught her IN fs hacausa
I first learned the lesson myself"
Animals That Blush