, 1923-11-21
CHAPTER CONTINUED.

very thin she wore ner massive Diuck
hair dra yn away hideously from brow
and temple, and out of this lean, I'M
shaded fece a pair of deep eyes looked
drowslly, dangerously. Her mouth
was Strengthened into an expression of
nroud bitterness, her round chin
thrust for ward; there was a deep.
scowlIng line that rose from the
bridge of he, straight, short nose al
most to the roots of her hair. 1t cut
pcross n splendidly modelled brow. She
was very graceful. If such a bundle of
homes might he said to have any
grace. Her pose was arresting. There
was n 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 a few
moments he strolled across the floor
and came up to her.
"Will you dancer" he said.
He had n very charming and subtle
smile, a very charming and sympa-
thptlc look. The woman was startled.
color rose into her face. She stared
at him.
"rm not dancing. Mr.. Morena," she
answered.
you know my name" smiled Mo
rena "and I don't know yours. I've
been on Mr.. Ynrnall's ranch for a
month. Why haven't / seer your
Fer not lookin'. I suppose" She
had given him tina: one startled glance.
and now she had turned her eyes
hack to the dancers and wore a grim.
contemptuous air. Her speeches.
though they were cut into short. crisp
words, were full of music of n sharp.
metallic quality different from the
tone of her other speech. but quite as
beautifully expressive.
MAY | 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.
Moreno smiled deeper. He took some
time making and lighting his cigarette.
"You son't smoke yourself7" he
asked.
NO"
"Nor dancer"
"No."
"Nor behave prettlly to polite young
inen?'
Again the woman looked at him.
"You amt so awful young. are your"
He laughed aloud.
81 amuse you. don't II Well. I'm
not always so alfred funny" drawled
the creature. lowering her head a
little.
NO. I've heard that you're not.
You rather run things here. I gather;
got the boys plumb scared'7"
ibid Mr.. Yarnall tell you thatT"
YES. I've Just in the last few min
otes remembered who you are. You're
Jane. You cook for the outfit and
Yarnail was telling us the other night
how he sent one Of the boys out for a
cook. the last one. n 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
hin ever since, were better than n
foreman. Who was the man you threw
out tonlght?"
Perhaps" drawled Jane. 'he was
Just n Teller who asked too many
questlons3'
Again Morena's smile deepened into
his cheeks. you must pardon me. Miss
Jane he said In his murmurlng. cul-
uyated voice. "You see, I've had a
great misfortune. I've never been In
your West. I've lived in New York.
where good haven't time or
space to flourish. I hadn't the least
intention OF being impairment. Do
You wan me to goT"
ne moved ms II TO leave her. and she
uu not lift n finger to detain him.
I'm not carin'. DO as you please"
she said with entire Indifference.
On" said Morena, looking back nj
ner' u don't stay where people are
not cnrln'.'"
h gave him an extraordinarily In.
,eHlgent look. II should say that's
une only place you'd he wantin' 10 stay
N NJ nll-where you're not exactly
urged to come" she said.
Moreno flushed and his lids lick
ere1' He was for nm instant absurdly
inclined to anger and made two or
",ee steps nwny. But he came back.
he bowed and spoke ms he would
sa,e spoken to a great lady. ~suavely.
uelerentlally.
Goodnight. ] wish I could think
mu' you have enjoyed our talk ms
seatiy as ! have, Miss Jane. I should
Try much like to be allowed to re-