The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-10-19
CHAPTER I-contInued.

49, t&saii ohC WOhC nCl lDdSSiNt DfdCh
hair drawn away hideously from brow
and temple, and out of this lean, I'M
y shaded face pair of deep eyes looked
drowsily, dangerously. Her mouth
was Strengthened into an expression Of
proud bitterness. her round chin
thrust forward; there was deep,
scowling line that rose from the
bridge of hei straight, short nose al
most to the roots of her hair. 1t cut
across a splendidly modelled brow. she
was very graceful, If such a bundle of
bones might be said to have any
grace. Her pose was arresting. There
was a tragic force and attraction
about her.
The man by the door appraised her
carefully between his narrowed lids.
He kept in mind the remembered mel
ody of her voice, and, after few
moments. he strolled across the floor
and came up to her.
"Will you dancer" he said
He had a very charming and subtle
smile, a very charming and sympa-
thetic look. The woman was startled,
color rose Into her face. She stared
at him.
~Tm not dancing, Mr.. Morena." she
answered.
you know my name" smiled Mo
rena; "and I don't know yours. I've
been on Mr.. Yarnalrs ranch for
month. Why haven't seen your
Fer not loolxin', l suppose" She
had given him that one startled glance,
and now she had turned her eyes
back to the dancers and wore a grim,
contemptuous air. Her speeches,
though they were cut into short, crisp
words, were full Of music of a sharp,
metallic quality different from the
tone of her other speech, but quite as
beautifully expressive.
MAY I smoker asked Moreno. He |
was still smiling his charming smile |
and watching her out of the corners |
of his eyes.
I'm not hinderin' you any," said
she
time making and lighting his cigarette.
you don't smoke yourself?" he
asked.
"No."
Nor dancer
mo"
"Nor behave prettily to polite young
menu"
Again the woman looked at him.
''You amt so awful young, are your
He laughed aloud.
81 amuse you, don't I? Well, I'm
not always so alfred funny" drawled
the creature, lowering her head a
little.
mo. I've heard that you're not.
You rather run things here, I gather;
got the boys plumb scared"
did Mr.. Yarnall tell you thatY'
eyes. I've just in the last few min
1tes remembered who you are. You're
lane. You cook for the outfit and
Yarnall was telling us the other night
low he sent one of the boys out for
.ook, the last one, a man, having been
beaten up, and how the boy had
brought you back behind him on his
saddle. He said you'd kept order for
lin ever since, we're better than
oreman. Who was the man you threw
nut tonight"
Perhaps" drawled Jane, che was
ust a Teller who asked too many :
IuestionsT
Again Morena's smile deepened into
is cheeks. "You must pardon me, Miss :
ane." he said in his murmuring, Gull
waited voice. "You see, I've had !,
reat misfortune. I've never been In
our West. I've lived in New York,
there good manners haven't time or !,
pace to flourish. I hadn't the least :.
attention of being impertinent. Do ,
GU want me to go?"
He moved as If to leave her, and she 4
Id not lift finger to detain him. "
I'm not carin'. Do as you please"
he said with entire Indifference. ="
"Oh." said Moreno, looking back at .,
er. 81 don't stay where people are :,
ot carin'.'"
She gave him an extraordinarily In
.lligent look. 81 should say that's a.
he only place you'd be wantin' to stay =
at all-where you're not exactly =.
rged to come" she said. "
Moreno flushed and his lids flick =,
ed. He was for an instant absurdly =
clined to anger and made two or
rec steps away. But he came back. :.
He bowed and spoke as he would =,
i've spoken to a great lady, suavely, -
:,
Goodnight. l wish I could think -
at you have enjoyed our talk as ~
eatly as I have, Miss Jane. | should -
ny much like to be allowed to re- ~
at 1t. May l be stupidity personal ~
Id tell you that you are very beau u
.uI?" He bowed, gave her an up "
ard look and went out, finding his
~ cleverly among the dancers. sd
Outside, in the moonlit court, he WI
ood. threw back his head and pa
ughed, not loudly but consumedy. III
E was remembering her white face Ia
mute astonishment. She looked
most as If his compliment had given hi
r sharp pain. TO
Moreno went laughing to his room ro
the opposite wing. He wanted to a