Catoctin clarion., 1923-06-28

smart enough inside an out. But he
talks too much like a politician to
suit me. I'm mighty glad we got cash
for our claims. Keiths too slick an
smooth an smilin' to suit me-"
1t was lengthy diatribe from Mi
randa Bailey, accustomed as they
were to hear her state opinions freely.
The trio at Three Star had univer-
sally come to respect her decisions
and also her intuitions. and none Of
them had felt especially cordial
toward Keith as man. though they
considered him good in his profession.
"The writer, Kiplin'," said Sandy,
"wrOte poem about East an West,
sayin' that never the two c'ud meet
Eff Keith tries to fiamjigger Molly out
OF anything that's comm to her by
rights, why, I reckon that's one time
the West an East Is goin' to meet
an mebbe lap over bit. SO fur, he's
put money in our pockets. Here's
Molly
I'm goin' home" said Miranda, as
the girl entered the room. 1--WE got
you started an I'll run over once in
a while to see how Pedro Is maxim
out"
She said good-by to Molly, who had
swiftly changed out Of her riding
clothes into gown that looked
simple enough to Sandy, though he
sensed there were touches about II
that differentiated 1t from anything
turned out locally. With the dress
she looked more womanly, older, than
In the boyish breeches. Miss Nichol.
son had made some changes also, but
she had a chameleon-like faculty Of
blending with the background that
preserved her alike from being criti.
c1Zed or conspicuous. AS she shook
hands with Miranda the two present.
ed marked contrasts. Miranda was
twentieth-century-w Of equal
rights and equal enterprise; Miss
Nicholson mid-victorian, with no more
use for vote than for one Of Sandy's
guns. Yet likable.
I'm going to Daddy's grave" said
Molly, when Miranda had fiIvvered
Off. II wish the three of you would
come there to me in about ten min
utes. Miss Nicholson, everybody's at
home here. Please do anything you
want to, nothing you don't want to-"
AT the end Of the ten minutes the
three men walked together toward
the cottonwoods. Grit was lying on
the grave, and they saw Molly kneel-
ing by the little railing. They ad-
vanced silently over the turf and
stood in a group about her with their
hats or and their heads bowed. Grit
made no move and Molly did not look
up for two or three minutes. Then
she greeted them with a smile. There
were no tear-signs on her face though
her eyes were moist
II wanted to thank you ALL" she
said, "and to tell you how glad I am
to be back. l have met lots of people.
of all sorts and kinds, but not one of
them who could hold candle to any of
you three kind. true-hearted friends.
l wanted to do 1t here where Daddy
is In the place you gave him and
made for him under the trees, close
to the running water. I was only a
girl-a kiddie-when went away. I
think I am great deal older now,
perhaps. than other girls Of my age.
And I realize all you have done for
me. The only thing is, I don't know
how to begin to thank you"
She went to Mormon and took hold
of both his hands, her head raised,
lips curved to kiss him. Mormon
stopped and turned his weathered
cheek, but Molly kissed him full on
the lips. So with Sam, despite the
enormous mustache. Then she came
to Sandy. taller than the others. his
face grave, under control, the eager
ness smothered In his eyes, desire
checked by reverence for the pure af-
fection of the offered salute. He fan
cied that her lips trembled for a mo-
ment as they rested softly warm, upon
his own. But the tremor might have
been his own. He knew his heart was
pounding against the slight touch Of
her slenderness that was manifest
with womanhood. His arms ached
with the restraint he set upon them,
In the presence Of Mormon and Sam.
"rve brought some things for you.'
said Molly. Just presents that I
bought In shops. Bot I wanted to