The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-10-13


his own, and were shaded by lashes
OF great length. which slightly modl-
6ed the firm lines OF the face, with Its
admirable chin. and mouth somewhat
large with a cupids bow.
In spite of Its ardent and luscious
look, II was the mouth of one who
knew her own mind and could sustain
her own course. II was open when
Dyck first saw II, because she was
singing little bits OF wild lyrics of the
hills little tragedies of Celtic life
F, Just bursts of the Celtic soul, as 1t
were, cheerful yet sad, buoyant and
passionate. eager yet melancholy.
She WAS singing In Irish. too. They
were the words Of songs taught her by
her mothers maid.
She had been tramplng over the
hills for couple of hours, virile. beau-
tiful and alone. She wore a gown or
dark gold. with little green ribbons
here and there. The gown was short.
and her ankles showed. In spite OF
| the strong boots she wore they we're
alert. delicate and shapeiy, and all
her beauty had the slender fullness of
a quail.
When she saw Dyck she stopped sud
denly. her mouth slightly open. She
gave him a sldelong glance of wonder,
interest and speculation. Then she
threw her head slightly back, and all
the curls gathered In bunch and
shook like bronze flowers. 1t was
head Of grace and power, of charm
and allurement-of danger.
Dyck was lost In admiration He
looked at her as one might look at a
beautiful thing In q dream. He did
not speak he only smiled as he gazed
into her eyes.
She was the first to speak.
"Well, who are your" she asked with
a slightly southern accent In her
voice, delicate and enhancing.
Her head gave little modest toss,
her fine white teeth caught her lower
lip with a little quirk Of humor; for
she could see that he was a gentle
man, and that she was safe from any
He replied to her question with the
words:
"My name? Why, It's Dsck Cal
houn. that's all"
Her eyes frightened. isn't that
enough?" she asked gently.
She knew of his family. She was
only visiting In the district with her
mother, but she had lately heard Of old
Miles Calhoun and his hayward boy,
| Dyck; and here was Dyck, with
humor In his eyes and touch Of
melancholy at his lips. Somehow her
| heart went out to him.
Presently he said to her:
"And what's your manner"
I'm only, .Sheila Llyn, the daughter
OF my mother, a widow, visiting Mt
Loyland towers. Yes, I'm only Shell
la!"
She laughed.
"Well just be only Shella,'" he un-
swered admiringly, and lie held out
hand to her. 81 wouldn't have you be
anything else, though it's none of my
business"
For one swift instant she hesitated;
then she laid her hand In his.
There's no reason why we should
not" she said. "Your fathers re-
spectacle"
She looked at him again with
sidelong glance, and with a whimsical,
reserved smile at her lips.
YES, he's respectable. | agree, but
he's dull" answered Dyck. For an
1rishmnn, he's dull--and he's tyrant,
too. l suppose deserve that. for I'm
handful"
81 think you are, and big handful,
tool"
(Which way are you golng?" he
asked presently.
and your"
"Oh, I'm bound for home" He
pointed across the valley. do you see
that smoke coming up from the plan
tation over there"
Yes, / know" she answered. II
know. That's Playmore, your fathers
place. Loyland towers Is between
here and there. Which way we're you
going thereT"
Round to the left" he said, puzzled.
but agreeable.
Then we must say good-by, because
l go to the right. That's my nearest
way"
well, If that's your nearest way.
I'm going with you" he snid, because
well, because-because-
''If you won't talk very much /" she
rejoined with little air of instructive
coquetry.
Il don't want to talk. I'd like to lis
ten. Shall we start?"
Sheila's fathers name was Erris
Boyne, and he had been debaucheo,
drunken, and faithless so at time
Oh uncomfortable hurt his wife had freed
herself. Then, under the eSis of her
maiden name, she had brought up her
daughter without any knowledge of
her father; had made her believe he
was dead; had hidden her tragedy with
skillful hand.
Only now. when Sheilas was released
from EOyarneSS had -he nroveu ont