, 1923-09-19
CHAPTER N-continued.

1neTe9 pOetry tniS tine, lie Salu.
-Get Pierre to read 1t aloud to you."
The suggestion was met by a rude
laugh from Pierre.
~ wouldn't be wastin' my time" he
jeered.
1t was the first rift in his o
tesy. Holliwell looked up in sharp
surprise. He saw a flash Of the truth, a
little wriggle of the green serpent in
Pierre's yes 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
he stiffened toward his host and host
ess, dropped all his talk about the
books and smoked haughtily. He was
young and ov%er-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
ly to urg 1t, Holliwell had a moment
with Joan. 1t was YER touching. He
would tell about II afterward, but
for a long time he could o zeal 10
remember 1t.
She tried to return his books. COM
Ing with her arms full of them and
lifting up eyes that we're almost
tragic with renunciation.
a" 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
,omeway Pierre don't like that I
( should spend my evenin's on them.
= Seems like he thinks I was settin' my
self up to be KNOWN more thai him."
She laughed ruefully. "Me-knowin'
more'n Pierre! It's l%aughable. But
anyways I don't want him to be think
In that. So take the books, please.
! like them" She paused. 81 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.
You mustn't give in to such a foolish
idea. You have rights of your own. a
life Of your own. Pierre mustn't stand
in the way Of -FOUR learning. You
mustn't let him. I'll speak to him."
"Oh, mol? Some intuition warned
her Of the danger In his doing this.
We'll, then. keep your books and
talk to Pierre about them. Try to per-
suade him to read aloud to you. I
shan't be back now till spring. but I
want you to read this winter, read
all the stuff that's there. Come. Joan,
10 please me-" and he smiled coax
ingly.
II amt afraid Of Pierre" said Joan
slowly. Her pride was stung by the
suggestion. "I1l keep the books"
She sighed. "Good-by. When I see
you IN the spring. I'll be a right
learned schoolmarm."
SIZE held out her hand and he took
snd held It, pressing It In his own.
de felt troubled about her. unwilling
'toleave her In the s%nowbound wilder
nesS with that young wage of he
smoiderlng eyes.
"Good-by," said Pierre behind him.
His soft voice had a click.
Holliwell turned to him. "Good-by,
Landis. ! shan't see either of you till
the spring. I wish you a good winter
and I hope" He broke Off and held
out his hand. WELL" said he. you're
pretty far out of ev%erybody's way
here. Be good to each other"
On your interference !" said
%Tlerre's eyes. but he took the hand
any even escorted Holliwell to his
horse.
Snow came early and deep that win
Ter. Pierre had cut and stacked his
winter wood he had sent his cow TO
Q richer mans ranch for winter feed
ing. There was very little for him to
no. After he had brought in two
buckets Of water from the well and
had cut for the days consumption n
piece or meat from his elk hanging
outside against the wall. he had only
10 sit and smoke. to read old maya
zines n papers and to watch Joan.
Ihen the poisonous roots OF his jesl-
ousy struck deep. Always his brain,
raisely interpreting her wlstful silence
she was thinking Of the parson, hun
cry to read his books, longing for the
open season n his coming again to
the ranch.
In December n man came In on
snowshoes bringing ''the mnil"-onc
'etter for Pierre. n communication
which brought heat to his face. The
forest service threatened him with n
loss or lind; II pointed to some flaw
IN MS title: part OF his property. the
most valuable part. had not yet been
surveyed. . . . Pierre looked up
win set jaws, every fighting Instinct
unopened to hold what was his own.
I hev put In two years hard work
on them acres" he told his visitor,
an I'm n0f nlannlRt en ul,. shz,. ...w