Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-07-16
CHAPTER x
CroHs-PurpOgeg

| N NJ ARK'S appearance stopped
R FSSs se sss sSsn see &c nl k
it and as he watched jeans
| eyes he saw come into them that
look of strangeness which he had no
| ticed before. 1t was as though she
| had purpose ~, drawn a veil across
| them so that her thoughts would be
visible to no one.
Mark came up and dropped into a
chair. He looked tired and his large
body sagged slightly.
You look all In" Dick forced him
II am, and I have to go out to-
| the cattle, several have disappeared,
and we found two today with a
strange brand on them. That means
going out tonight to see what we
| can find"
Dick sat back in his chair. A
| thought was forming in his mind, a
daring thought t. at made his heart
| leap quickly as ne stole a furtive
| look at Jean. She sat quiet and i'm
mobile, her eyes bent on the work
on her lap. She made no comment
on what Mark had been saying, she
| evinced no interest in anything
| ever said although she always made
an effort to be polite whenever Dick
was present.
You two look comfortable here"
Mark said Strengthening his Shout
ders and looking up. His eyes went
rested for moment on her bowed
head. "How's the work going, Dick?
| You seem to have plenty of leisure
| time"
Dick laughed. I'm almost finished
| up there now; was just telling
pretty fine to me, 1 don't know how
I'm ever going to thank you for the
| hospitality you've shown me-"
Nonsense" Mark returned quick
ly. ''It's been good to have you
about. You've been company for
Jean. and I know she has enjoyed
Jean looked UP at this and met her
something in their depths that sud-
denly caught at her heart. 1t was
something like great, overwhelm--
ms. loneliness. She was astounded
at the feeling of pity that suddenly
thought to herself f1ercely, why
should she feel pity for him? had he
ever thought of her feelings, had he
ever consulted her pleasure in any
| way? She Wrenched her glance
away from him with an effort and
spoke quite without emotion.
II was telling Dick how much we
were going to miss him. Life out
| here isn't made UP of pleasant friend
ships and we women do love COM
pany." She looked at Dick and
laughed as she spoke. No one would
| have dreamed at that moment that
| she was unhappy.
After a moment Dick rose to 60
"Stay for dinner" Mark urged cor
daily.
Dick shook his head mot tonight
thank you," he returned. Have some
things to attend to myself. Good-by,
JEAN" he said lightly, ''see you to-
| morrow. perhaps"
"Good-by, Dick" she returned, and
watched him as he swung off across
the corral. Then she gathered up
her work preparatory to going in
side. She never stayed minute
alone with Mark if she could help it.
| Today, however, she hesitated before
going on; there had been that look
in his eyes and she remembered it.
Mark" she began tentatively.
He swung his head a1aund toward
her like shot. Yes"
you're not i'll, are yoL -
Why no, just Gired that's all" He
rose to his feet and came toward
her, but she hurried past him and
into the house. Her breath was COM
ing quickly. She always felt III at
ease when Mark was near her; he
seemed literally to take her strength
away.