The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-03-13
CHAPTER xIlI-contlnusd.

They're Kentucky mountain folks that
fist moved in-they say the sisters
quite pretty"
The preacher seemed 10 be studying
the place, with its wild wealth OF ma
ture about II. his eyes straying at
length from the cabin TO its tumhled
setting OF cliffs and down along the
opposite bluffs, mantled with half
sprung leaves, abioom with haw and
dogwood and wild apple. until. as he
twisted around In the saddle, the
whole beautiful panorama of the mar
row valley had passed in review be-
fore him back 10 the winding road by
which they had entered.
AS the girl followed his rowing eyes.
a black dead limb at the top OF Eagle
Oak towering high above the quicken
ing foliage, came into view. She raised
her arm and pointed up and away TO
the lofty landmark.
That's where the big gray eagles
ben comm every summer-sence
white men first come Z the Flatwoods,
guess. Look-jlst over the top o.
that scrub poplar, stlckin' up ag'nst
that white cloud"
II see itr' the man OF books ex-
claimed. the simple gesture OF point
ing out TO the distant landmark re-
vealing the native grace that might
still have been his but for the stopped
and studious air that life had imposed
upon him. 1T stands out against the
fluffy whlteness plain as a Flagstaff"
Nobody in the Flatwoods would
think OF harmin'--"
She stopped, with low exclamation,
for the woodsman had suddenly
Strengthened in his saddle and had
jerked his hand toward the cabin
squatting against the bluffs up the hol-.
low. The others followed the motion
OF his hand and sat staring.
Loge Belden's sister had appeared
from behind the cabin and was running
toward them. She had nearly reached
the bushes that frlnged what might be
called the front OF the yard. when Bel
den appeared in the open door. He
threw up his hand and called out a
word or two, which did not quite carry
TO the three riders.
The mountain girl stopped and hest
tnted; turned and went slowly back.
Belden stood aside; she entered the
door; Belden closed H.
Jack was watching the preacher.
He saw his quick grip on the bride
rein; saw him stiffen in the saddle
and glance uneaslly about.
Astonishing Quite extraordinary ="
escaped him as the tense brief drama
closed.
Mercy" Texie exclaimed. 81 never
kn0wed she was-crazy."
"She amt" the woodsman NUT
tered.
The preacher glanced around at him;
threw up his head and exploded his
blarey laugh. Ii was a queer moment /
for a laugh, and a queer laugh for the /
''Not bad philosophy, that" he said /
people are not always as crazy as
they-act."
That the preacher was acting. the
woodsman fully believed. but the act
Ing was just a shade oyerdone--a cir
that could hardly escape
such a man as Jack warhope, particu-
arly after the chance clues that had
irst set his suspicious going. Why he
was acting and what part, the woods
nan was not missing any chances TO
ind out.
The three riders sat for some time
cooking toward the cabin in the peck
&. Texie and the preacher discussing
he astonishing drama that had hared
ID for its tense moment In the elbow
u the hills.
But the drama evidently had but
ne act. and that act was closed. II
eened to the woodsman. as he covert
= watched the preacher. lolling with
awkwardness In his saddle.
hat he showed just a shade OF relief
hat II was closed.
The sun. a red warrior on the home I
Fard trail. had journeyed far down 7
be paling Businesses OF the sky, had
ucked behind huge cloud bank I
lied Ike a breastwOrks across the Z
rest Presently. finding a loop-hole r
! the turrefed cumuli. be glared back q
{ the pursuing shadows: launched a D
haft that fell spent and quivering
pom Eagle run and shivered into 4
Iitfering spllnters upon the rifle
Glum st the missped shaft. the red $
'srrior took his eye from tho loop b
ole: drew farther back behind the q
assed Notifications; unsfrung his q
1w. The pursuing shadows stole o
own the bluffs: dulied the winter:
mined the woods; walked the breeze b
ID shook the Wild apple twigs TN
Ie white blossoms showed the grass
symbol Of the hopes ~ men. that
oom. promise fruit. die. q
The girl noticed the shadows Her
Ies left the cabin: glanced " and q
WI the opposite blud. where. Under "
e brow Of the wooded escarpment. q
ljects were already beginning 10 dim. n
The girls rowing glance stopped at
black walnut tree ten Or fifteen 70
Ircs away. where some frosf-biasfed 81
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