The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-02-19

lack Belts. 3 mighty hunter and lndlf-
fsrent farmer. oftca hore him company
in the bjg rooaa where he slept IN
slate. long after the others we're 10
Z bed Jack was 40 dullaud only a mis-
I dt pioneer. born a hundred scars toe
( late. he would have hraVcd and eun-
| quered the real wilderness Here IN =
stranded eddy Of Wild country. be was
thWarted and stunted- But he did not
know it--thnt made part Of tho
tragedy. MiIby saw that Azan was
coming 60 know ii--of her father, and
Of herself no less.
She had told him wistfully % the
people down on the river" They had
| bottom lands, fine houses. hne clothes
1 even pianos. Lille Ann vas Of them
1t was 10y visits 10 her AzaD knew
the difference No. she was not TO
I ing there again-uo matter about RIA
| sons-it was just 80. Then Mrs. Belts
| had explained. solely through the me-
dium OF significant mods and ~inks.
which left Milby more than ever be-
wildered. But Jacksy. the biggest boy.
| to whom Milhy was little short Of
/ demlgod said disgustedly IN his ear.
when the nodding and winklng ended:
NAV thinks she's the slyest-hut
/ bet you don't know now no more'n
shucks what she's been tellin' We
| erbout Little-Ann hatin' Azan on ac~
count er Joe Hume. lie runs the mill.
| down yander. and Llttle-Anns mind 10
sot on him--but ever sence be seen
Azan--why he's been keepiu the path
hot here.
"oh. indeed Joe, you mustn't tell
/ family secrets :" Milby whispered bach
and fell 20 looking at the fire, con
sclous that he was unreasonably angry.
but not admitting TO himself the rea-
son for IL.
The revelation hadt come Saturday
afternoon late. Father was away, out
hunting despite the snow. Mllby 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
bushel of yams TO roast Then he
made up the big room fire, chuckiing
hard as he did II. II was hardly In
| fun blaze before the dogs bowled in
| chorus, gay shouts rang above the howl
| ings and father flinglng wide the door.
rushed outside saying over his shout
der TO Mllby you've done seen er
snowstorm-now wen show ye .
storm Of ernOther sort"
Thus began the storm party
/ dozen young men and women. with
two fddlers, who had aimed TO take
had somehow got wind OF Themes
/ the haste and the potato roast He
| knew there were frledcakes and sau
sage enough for all already Ia hand.
| cider likewise, and coffee for the max
| ing. Proudly hospltable rs he was
thrlftless he joyed 10 see the crowd.
Azan darted upstairs at the first sound
Of Il and came down cloaked and hat
ted. saying with the most natural air
Of surprise. "Well, | am glad 10 see
somebody about Jest had thought I'D
run down 10 Jenningses--but now OF
course IN be mighty glad to stay"
Mildly smiled coyertly over the art
| less maneuypr-She wanted them all
/ 10 see her new iinery. He had known
\ before she was beautiful-now he I'M
4 derstood what her beauty might mean
4 to him. OH be back IN two shakes Of
81. 81. An
/ ing to go upstairs again. But tall.
handsome young fellow barred her
way, saying humbly; Come with me,
| Azan--you know you halfway prom
/ tsed thought II would be fine 10
/ steal ye frum yer foiks-but by the
Lord, / want TO take ye boldly--ln the
/ face Everybody"
The nddlers checked their tuning up
silence as Of the grave fell every
/ where. Even the shutting children
\ stood stOck-still. Llttle-Ann. brave
In her gold beads, her chain and locket.
/ and "a gorgeous blue gown, wrung her
/ hands voicelessly-- her duh face ashen
| Azan turned about. her eyes starry, her
1 cheeks like damask roses. Il can't
/ come. joe" she said low but clearly.
/ 1--WE been wicked-takin' you frum
| Little-Ann didn't know--3othin'
bout-love-then." the words coming
I hard Now lnOw--it's worse'n q
murderer. You go back to her. She
deserves ye"
How come you Ter learn7' Joe de-
manded Gercely. making O step toward
the girl She looked appeallngly at
! Mllbv and dropped her head. with
bound he was beside her. holding both
! her hands and saying to the rest: "ff
indeed / have taught her II Is because
I drst learned the lesson myself"