The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-03-20

PVlAch auout uotnins! dence1Ortn ne
would pay no attention to her whims
let her rail and fume and lecture as
much as she liked. there was nothing
for him to be worried about. She
would always come round like lamb
and when she was his for keeps he
would take lot of the nonsense out
Of her!
With few exceptions the passengers
on board the Revere were strangers
fortune-seekers, rovers, land-buyers
and prospectors from the East and
South come to this well-heralded re-
gion of promise, perhaps to stay, per-
haps to pass on. Three or four La
fayette men, home after a trip down
the river, crowded their way ashore,
to be greeted by anxious wives. The
strangers were more leisurely in their
movements. They struggled ashore
with their nondescript possessions and
ambled of between two batteries Of
frank, appraising eyes. One Of these
individuals was Il tall, swart, bearded
fellow with black, shifty eyes and
scowling brow. His baggage consisted
of buckskin sack slung across his
shoulder and small bundle which he
carried under his arm. He appeared
to have no acquaintances among the
voyagers
"You don't know how happy this
makes me, VIOLA" exclaimed Lapaie
as he clasped the girls hand in his.
He was devouring her with bold.
consuming gaze.
She redeemed. II told mother was
coming down to meet you." she ex.
planned, visibly embarrassed by the
stares of those nearby. IL wanted
to see you the instant you arrived,
Barry. Shall we walk along slowly
behind the rest p
whats happened? he demanded
suspIciously, his brow darkening.
Don't be impatient. Wait till they
are a little ahead"
"'Gad, 1t sounds ominous. thought
you came down to meet me because
you love me and were-well, glad to
see me-"
Il am glad to see you. You didn't
expect me to make an exhibition of
myself before all those people, did
youf"
Bis face frightened. "well, that
sounds better" His mouth went up
at the corner in its habitual curl. 'I'd
give all possess II 1t was dark now,
20 that I could grab you and squeeze
the
"Shl They will hear you," she
whispered. drawing away from him in
confusion.
They held back until the throng
had moved on a short distance. Then
she turned upon him with dangerous
light in her eyes.
"And what's more" she said In a
low voice, II don't like to hear you
say such things. They sound SO cheap
and low-and vulgar. Barry. L"
"Oh. you're always jumping on me
for saying the things I really feel"
he broke in. you're my girl aren't
your Why shouldn't tell you how
1 feel7 What's vulgar about my tell
ing you I want to hold you in my
arms and kiss you? Why, don't
think Of anything else, day or night.
And what do get? You put me off,
yes. you do-bringing up some silly
notion about-about-whati Is it-pro-
prietyl Good Lord, Viola. that's 60
ing back to the days of the Puritans
whoever they were. It's not right
it's not natural, Viola. People who
are really in love with each other just
simply can't help kissing and"
Il guess you were right when you
said you were not expecting me down
to meet the boat, Barry" she inter
ruptsd, looking straight before her.
"well. didn't tell you how happy
1t made mer
"If you had thought there was any
chance Of me coming down to meet
you, you wouldn't have taken so much
to drink" she went on. a little catch
In her voice.
WhereupOn he protested vigorously
that he had not tasted a drop-except
one small dram the captain had given
him early that morning when he COM
planned of a chill.
"Why, you're drunk right now" she
said miserably. "Oh, Barry. won't you
Drunk? I'm as sober as the day !
was born" he retorted. squaring his
shoulders. "But suppose 1 have had
a little too much-who's the cause of
lt7 You'll You drive me to 1t, you do.
The last couple of weeks you've been
throwing up all my faults to me, tor
msnting me till I'm nearly crazy with
uncertainty. First you say you'll have
me, that you'll do anything I wish,
and then, just as begin to feel that
everything's all right, you up and say
you're not sure whether you care for
me or not and you're going to obey
your mother In every And, say, that
reminds me. Unless / am very much
mistaken, think I'll soon have way
to bring your mother to time. She
won't"