Evening star., 1921-05-22

the stabbing lightning shafts were
unpleasant. But Mr.. Follansbee was
was tingling from top to toe with the
sense of freedom.
His pome was all right. 1t hits the
case" he told himself. But l draw
the line at that charm business. III
hunt that feller up and give him back
his jimcrack thing. He's most like
gone along the road. l wouldn't no
more go down to the nook in Libby's
woods than I'd try to shin up one or
them lightning flashes"
shoulder and went on in the other di-
rection, bowling his head when the
sheets of rain came flooding into his
face. The distressed cat laid it's ears
fiat and shut it's eyes.
When he abandoned the highway
after time Mr.. Follansbee excused
this divagatio by telling himself that
the road was muddy; when he found
himself entering a stretch of woods.
he informed the cat that it was easy
around in circles. especially when the
rain did not allow one to keep sharp
lookout.
He f1oundered on through dripping
But Mr.. Follansbee made no effort to
seek the open where the sun was
shining.
He looked about him and then gazed
INTO the eyes Of the cat and professed
Eureky Archimiddes, this shows how
the devil can lead your footsteps
around when you amt minding your
eye like you should. Do you see that
brook? Do you see that cocoanut
that I've been trying to keep away
from. Howsomever. seeing that were
here and considering ali the hours
that we've been moving around. We
may as well take it easy for while
He lifted the cat out of the sack
and set the animal on log. The cat
began to scruff a six-toed paw over
it's features. II reckoned .-ou'd be
wanting to bresh up your looks lit
tie. Eureky. 1 like your spirit in that.
We're going to face the world"
He took the packet of papers out of
his. pocket and began to tip down
their corners thoughtfully. Il can af-
ford to be Independent about grab
| bing onto offers. But I'm willing to
listen. and I'm ready to talk trade
if capital asks what I can show for
ideas.
He came upon the tintype and alb
stracted it from the papers. He NUT
tered while he looked at the face of
the girl. Il reckon I was to blame
for it in this case. and that's why
l hain't never got over it,
!! After a time he groped for the
charm in one of his pockets and
handled it very gingerly while he ex.
over the verse that was written on
the crumpled paper. Them is my
feelings. modify the thing down some
what" he unused. "Of course. I
wouldn't elope like what it's stated
there: But now I'd know Just how
to talk right to Trucella. if it was
to do over again."
He put the charm back into his
pocket and meditated some more.
Then he took the thing out and called
"Trucella" in louder tone.
He was conscious that a voice was
calling, faint and far-a mans voice.
1t seemed as IL that voice called "Tru-
celia" over and over.
Mr.. Follansbee promptly jammed the
charm down into his trousers pocket
and left it there.
Then. close by. a veritable yelp of
"Trucella" brought him up from the
log with leap that sent the cat scut-
tling.
A moment later a woman came
thrusting into sight through the leaves
Of a thick copse.
Mr.. Follansbee was posing as a
statue that could be labeled "lnterro-
CATION"
Don't You know Trucella Frye?
Look at me-
| 1t was easy to obey that command.
I In his petrification Mr.. Follansbee was
unaDIe 10 look dHyWHeT elSe.
"Save me from that man.
The voice called again. but from a
greater distance: again it called, far
ther away, That was encouraging
! the man was departing.
Il have been searching for you
! through all the world she said, walk
| ing toward him. But you have been
wandering to and fro also" She point
| ed to the "kernebecker" beside the log.
Mr. Follansbee, prompted in that
manner, felt that he could not afford to
allow Trucella Frye to believe that he
! had been trotting around on a two-cent
piece all OF his life.
"Yes'm." he croaked. "I've been a.
roaming"
'T1ave I changed so much?"
"'Yes'm, speaking the truth. I've got
| to say that you have. But for the bet
| ter-yes'm, for the better-prob'ly," he
| hastened to assure her.
| "But ! knew you the moment I saw
you Do you know why am here?''
/ "I came because something called me.
| could not help coming. When l was
! in India-but it's too great and grand a
i subject to discuss now" He gasped
/ when she mentioned India. I'VE will
! talk only about ourselves now. Bedford
! She walked to the log, pushed the
/ ca: carelessly TO one side as if it did
! not belong to the party and sat down.
. ''What has taken you around .he
world so much. Bedford?''
''ia"o nt,ras things
| "On, I'm 80 p"oGd Of YOU"
He folded his arms and looked as i'm
nortaut a he could s'Of course thAre