The Adair County news., 1922-02-21

/ have. Now I'm done. l picked my
man an there amt nuthin' else here
I'd touch with pair Of tongs, so you
might as well save your breath and
get out. don't want to talk any more
to any of you"
"But, my dear child"
"Stop thatl I'm no dear child; Tn
a woman; an this place is mine, even
If 1t is a shack. You get fight out
o. here, the whole kit an caboodle of
you"
Shelby was the first to slide forth
through the half-open door, glad
enough to escape into the cool night
air, his face burning as though on fire,
his mind in a tumult of emotion. He
had no sense of humor left, just an
ill-defned feeling of modification and
regret. She had been justly indig-
nant and he felt profoundly sorry for
the part he had played. By heavens!
She was some girl; no mere wishy-
washy creature to be laughed at and
ignored. He'd like to tell her so. Per-
haps he would; there would be reac-
llbil dllCI uNlIG, NllCn lnOSC lCliONS
were all gone. Her burst Of anger
would die away and she would shed
tears Of modification. It would be
a nice thing then if he could go back
there all alone and comfort her; ex-
plain how 1t happened and show her
how impossible it was for him to
marry.
He could see the men plainly
enough, outlined in the light, as they
descended the steps one by one and
then faded away in the darkness.
They were a disconsolate, discounted
bunch, with downcast faces and silent
lips. The preacher and Mccarthy came
last, the former still talking, his voice
imploring, but evidently to no purpose,
for something behind kept impelling
him forward and even while he clung
to the step for one final effort the door
slammed in his face and Shelby heard
the sharp snap Of lock.
"Well, I'll be d-d" calculated
Mac, his temper utterly giving way.
"If she amt Wildcat Lord, but I'd
sure pity the feller who did marry
her. Come on, old buck, there is no
use stayin' here. I wonder where
Shelby went?"
straight ter HI, hope" the Buf-
falo Gap ]. P. burst out, forgetting
his clerical role in a sudden express
sion Of feeling, Whatever caused the
fool e Butt ini"
"oh. he didn't intend nuthin'. Tom
amt that kind. He just drifted long
ter see the fun. Yer can't blame him
cause the gurl took shine his way"
The Two Disappeared, their voices
still grdmbling, and Shelby got to bis
feet and moved along the edge Of the
tent to where he could view the shack
better. Through the window on that
side an 6nobstructed blaze Of light
poured forth, but even as he stood
staring at it the girl appeared fully
revealed in the glare and drew down
the curtain. He saw her clearly, like
a picture in a frame, one round arm
uplifted to grasp the shade. He drew
a quick breath, almost of astonish
ment, conscious of the rapid beating
| of his heart BY heaven, she was
actually pretty He had never thought
that before; but then, in that rudtly
light, the strange impression took pos
session as something entirely new
And it served to strengthen his pur
pose. He would not play the part OF
coward; he would go in and ex
plain; he would make her understand
exactly how matters were with hin
and why he acted as he had.
Yet this was accomplished hesitat
ingly and in doubt He was at th'
door twice before he found sufficien
courage to knock lightly. There wa
no response and he used his knuckle
a trife louder, intensely conscious o
a desire to turn and run away. Blu
there was no opportunity. The latcl
clicked sharply and the light streame
directly into his face, fairly blindin
him.
"Oh, so it is you back againP sh
asked coldly. "What did you want?
"Just-just to have a word wit
you-privateIy," he explained lamely
blinking his eyes. "I-I~thought may
be could explain"
Explain what"
"Why-why how this thing happer
ed Miss" His confusion rendered hiI
almost incoherent. "You see, L
don't want you to think I'm that sort.
"Oh, you don't? Well, I'm not ths
sort, either. Come along in, if 70
want to; I'll hear what you have
say"
Shelby never felt quite so awkwar
and impotent before in all his life, 9
he did standing there, fiddling wit
the hat In his hand, while the gil
carefully closed the door behind hin
Her own appearance of ease, even {
enjoyment, only added to his deep en-
barrassment.
For the first time he really too
notice of the room, how plainly 1t We
furnished; a deal table, two chair
, the stove, a few books on a shelf, wit
a small clock between. EverythiI
| Inn1Zod choon ht1f in11oo o'n11I q fn1v n1oo,