The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-08-09


narrowed eyes.
! For an Instant JIm's spine turned te
J Jelly Then blaze Of fire seemed Il
ervelop him, and he sprang forward
| Ee knew the creek was deep there
but he would have dared a river in
/ flood that moment.
Directly he was in the center of the
! stream, and the water slid gurgling
around his waist. He had kept his
eyes on his enchantress. Now he saw
her hands drop. and she began to
| back away. BY the time he reached
the place where she had stood. Juney
was sitting derhurely on a log a score
of feet distant, singing gently and
coiling her hair into place
Jim strobe toward her, little spurts
ct water jumping over his boot-tops
az every step. He did not attempt to
touch her when he stood before her.
The shock of the cold water had stead
led his brain. so that he had himself
under control.
She did not look up at once, but
went on arranging her simple couture,
Jim stared at her silently. passionate
longing In his gaze Presently the
girl looked up. and gave a simulated
start of surprise.
why. Mr. Can't" she exclaimed.
"Whur'd you come frum?"
How long yo' gunta torment a fell
LEI this way, Juney?" he asked. SOM
berry dropping to her side. Remoy-
ing his boots, he poured miniature
cascade from Seach Then he turned
on her with sudden. earnestness.
EFF 1 served yo' right, I'd ketch yo'
n kiss yo' tel yo' breath wiz gone!"
His muscles seemed to urge him
toward her inyoluntarily at the words,
ard Juney drew back.
"B'have yo'seff, Jimi" she cried.
'Whut'd yo' ta'nt me fur?" he de-
manded grimly. Drawn me thoo
that water jes' to laugh at me. Yo'
know love yo', n 'twa'n't fairi-yo'
know 'twa'n't! Some day yoIl go
too fur, Juney, m won't stopy Whut
makes yo' ac' this way?"
He turned from her staring at the
creek.
Don't fuss at mel" she returned.
In plaintive. childish way. Il ses'
can't stan to be fused at by by folks
| laki"
This was too much for flesh and
blood to resist.
The man swung out one arm in an
effort to draw her to him. But she
vas watching and leaped up from the
log with little cry before he could
touch her. He started to rise, but
when he saw her tight lips and frown-
ing brow, he desisted.
whit makes yo' do 1t, Juney?" he
repeated and his deep voice had a
shake III it. "Whut makes yo' tor
ment teller this way? Eff yo' hadn't
already got me plum crazy bout yo'
I'd hike out. n go some'r's else. But
m tn cabin wait'n', 700. jes' fur yo'
10 comet"
He gazed up at her with distressed,
pleading eyes. Her own dropped for
moment, and she twisted the damp
towel in her hands.
"Mebbe it's cause I'm a WITCH" she
said gently. They're not 'spons'ble,
20 know" Then looking straight at
her wooer" 'Twouldn't do fur you
L me to git married, Jim I've toll
yo' TO- how 'twuz. Pap. he gives me
lots, but faint highs much as want
I mus have thingsi, Yo're, pore. l.
| lax yo' nightly. n ef yo' had money
'nough to-"
With an eager movement the man
was on his feet.
'Im gunta git 1t. Juney! Eff that's
all, yo' needn't hol' back frum sayin'
yo' love mel"
How yo' gunta git it?" she chaI
lcnged, her gray-green eyes lighting
eagerly. mot shin'n'. JIM"
He hesitated moment, but when
she moved toward him two steps he
answered with a restless movement:
SHAW; mother way"
Now her lids were wide with cur
iosity. and her voice had sank to a
confiding undertone.
Jim Cant tried to look al The creek
again. but his eyes refused. They
could not leave the wildly pretty face
still coming closer.
She touched his arm.
Wont yo' tell me?" she asked with
a pleading little uplift of her brows.
You're dom it fer me-"
Her fingers began to press upon
his triceps, and his hungry gaze no
ticed that her full bosom seemed agj
tated. Her breath was coming quick
er. as though from excitement.
Jim felt trifle unreal.
II hadn't lowed to tell yo'-tei got |
it," he objected weakly.
She moved yet closer. There was
scarcely the length of hand between
them now.
PLEASED" she murmured softly, and |
smiled.
With that his arms prisoned her.
and between groan and heavinS |
breath ha tissad har 60 fast and fttr