The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-09-14
CHAPTER v--continued.


laugh from Pierre.
II wouldn't be wastin' my time" he
jeered.
1t was the first rift in his cour
tesy. Holliwell looked up In sharI
surprise. He saw a flash OF the truth, O
little wrlggle of the green serpent in
Pierre's eyes before they fell. He
flushed and glanced at Joan. She
wore an almost timorous air accepted
his remarks In silence, shot doubtful
looks at Pierre before she answered
questions, was an entirely different
Joan. Now Holliwell was angry and
ne stifrened toward his host and host
ess, dropped all his talk about the
books and smoked haughtily. He was
young and over-sensitive, no more
master of himself in this instance than
Pierre and Joan. But before he left
after supper, refusing a bed though
Pierre conquered his dislike sufficient
iy to urge 1t. Hollwell had moment
with Joan. II was very touching. He
would tell about 1t afterward, but
for long time he could not bear 70
remember 1t.
She tried to return his books, COM
ing with her arms full of them and
lifting up eyes that were almost
tragic with remuneration.
II can't be taking time to read
them, Mr.. Holliwell," she said, that
extraordinary. over-expressive voice of
hers running an octave of regret; "an'
v
should spend my evenin's on them.
Seems like he thinks | was settin' my
self up to be KNOWN more than him."
She laughed ruefully. "Me-knowin'
more'n Pierrei It's laughable. But
anyways don't want him to be think
IN that. SO take the books. please.
j like them" She paused. II love
them" she said hungrily, and blink
ing thrust them into his hands.
He put them down on the table.
"You're wrong. Joan" he said quickly.
S'You mustn't give in TO such foolish
idea. You have rights of your own. a
life Of your own. Pierre mustn't stand
In the way Of your learning. You
mustn't let him. TIL speak to him."
"Oh. MOI" Some Intuition warned
her of the danger In his doing this.
'Well, then, keep your books and
talk to Pierre about them. Try to per-
suade him TO read aloud to you.
shan't be back now till spring, but
want you to read this winter. read
all the stuff that's there. Come Joan,
TO please me-" and he smiled coax
fngly.
81 amt afraid of Pierre" said Joan
slowly. Her pride was stung by the
suggestion. 'Tll keep the books"
She sighed. "Good-by. When see
you in the spring. I'll be right
learned schoolmarm."
She held out her hand and he took
and held it, pressing IL in his own.
He felt troubled about her. unwilling
TO leave her In the snowbound wilder
ness with that young savage of the
smoldering eyes.
"Good-by," said Pierre behind him. |
His soft voice had click.
Holllwell turned to him. "Good-by, |
Landis shan't see either of you till |
the spring. wish you a good winter I
and / hope" He broke Off and held |
put his hand. "Well," said he you're
pretty far out of everybody's way
here Be good to each other"
'D-n your interference I" said
Pierre's eyes, but he took the hand
and even escorted Holllwell to his
horse.
Snow came early and deep that win
.er. Pierre. had cut and stacked his
winter wood; he had sent his cows to
richer mans ranch for winter feed
ng. There was very little for him to
10. After he had brought in two
buckets OF water from the well and
lad cut for the days consumption q
,iece OF meat from his elk hanging
outside against the wall he had only
o sit and smoke. TO read OLD maya
ines and papers and to watch Joan.
Then the poisonous roots OF his ieal-
'usy struck deep. Always his brain,
alsely interpreting her wlstful silence
she was thinking of the parson, hun
ny TO read his books, longing for the
pen season and his coming again 10
he ranch.
In December a man came In on
bringing "the mall'-one
etter for Pierre. a communication
which brought heat to his face. The
'nrest service threatened him with n
oss of land; II pointed TO some flaw
n his title: part Of his property. the ,
1ost valuable part. had not yet been
urveyed Pierre looked up
18th set jaws. every fighting instinct
happened to hold what was his own.
Il hev put in two years hard work
n them acres" he told his visitor. {
an I'm not plannin' to give them over 7
D the first fool favored by the Serv-
e. My title Is as clean as my hand. I
III take more'n thieyery an more'n T
plte TO take 1t away from me-" T
You better go to Robinson" ad-