The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-05-10
CHAPTER III The Overall Girl

 gard.ng each other, both in curiosity; Peter because of the contrariety of the girls face and garments, the girl because of Peter's bow. which was the most extraordinary thing that had ever happened in Burlington County. After a pause. smile which seemed to have been lowering uncer- tainly around the corners of her lips broke into a frank grin. disclosing dimples and a row of white teeth, the front ones not quite together.
 Could you tell me-" asked Peter very politely as he found his voice. If this road leads to Black Rock? ?''
 She was still scrutinizing him, her head, birdlike, upon one side.
 '@That depends on which way you're walkin ," she said.
 She dropped her "g'' with careless ease. but then Peter had noticed that many Americans and English people, some very nice ones did that
 Peter glanced at the girl and then down the road in both directions
 ''Oh, yes, of course" hes aid, not sure whether she was smiling at or with him. 'I came from a station called Pickerel River and wish to go to Black Rock"
 You're sure you want to go there?"
 "Oh, yes"
 'I guess that's because you've new CT been to Black Rock, Mister"
 ''No, I haven't"
 The girl picked a shrub and nib bled at it daintily.
 You'd better turn and go right back" Her sentence finished in a shrug.
 Whats the matter with Black Rock?" he asked curtous1y.
 inst the little of nOthin' That's an," she finished decisively.
 The quaint expression interested him. 'T must get there, neverthe- less" he said; 'is it far from here?"
 Depends on what you call far. Mile or so. Didn't the Lizzie meet the 6:3o?"
 Peter stared at her vacuously, for this was Greek.
 '"The Lizzie'?''
 ''The tin Iizzie'-Jim Hagerman's bus-carries the mail and papers. Sometimes he gives me a lift about here"
 any sort and I really expected one. I wish to get to NIT. Jonathan K. Me Guire's"
 "Oh,"
 The girl had been examining Peter furtivelly, as though trying vainly to place him definitely in her mental collection of human bipeds- Now shc stared at him with interest.
 oh. you're goin' to McGuire's!"
 Peter nodded. 'If can ever find the way"
 You're one of the new detectives?"
 "Detective!" Peter laughed. NO. Not that I am aware. I'm the new superintendent and forester
 "Oh!"
 The girl was visibly impressed, but a tiny frown puckered her brow.
 Whats a forester?'' she asked.
 "A fellow who looks after the for ests"
 '+The forests don't need any lookin after out here in the barrens. They just grow"
 I'm going to teach them to grow better"
 The girl looked at him for a long nomeRt of suspicion. She had taken off her hat and the ruddy sunlight behind her made a golden halo all about her head. Her hanos, he had noted, were small. the fingers slender. Her nose was well shaped, her nos trils wide. the angle of her jaw firm ly modelled and her slender figure be- meath the absurd garments revealed both ,rcngth and grace. But he did not dare to stare at her too hard or | to question her as to her garments. For all that Peter knew it might be l the custom of Burlington County for women to wear blue denim trousers.
 And her next question took him off | his guard.
 You city folks don't think much | of yourselves. do youo" ''I don't exactly understand what ' you mean" said Peter politely, mark ing the satirical note. ! '"To think you can make these trees | grow better!' she sn:ffed. i "Oh, I'm just going to help them ! to help themselves" ! That's Gods job. Mister" 1 Peter smiled. She wouldn't have understood. he thought. so what was | the use of explaining. There must have been a superior quality in Pc | ter's smile, for the girl put on her | hat and came down into the road. 1 I'm goin' to Black Rock" she said stifrly, follow me" And she went l off with a quick stride down the road
 Peter Nichols took up his bag and