The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-11-27
BY Jackson Gregory
Copyright by Charles scribner's Sons

~ ~ OOS on AA o6diilG 49,
wages or allowance or dividends OF
whatever you call 1t. Judith was out
somewhere at the Lower End, Mrs
Simpson thought. Hampton saddled
his own horse and went to find her
All this Marcia was to learn hat eve.
ming.
After the swift passing of a few
bright minutes, Marcia and Bud Lee
strolled together across the meadow
to the spring. Marcia, it seemed, was
interested in everything. Lee told her
much of the ways of horses, of break
ing them, Of a score of little ranch
matters. not without their color. Mar
cia noted that he spoke rather slowly,
and guessed that he was choosing his
words with particular care.
She was delighted when they came
to the bank under the willows where
a pipe sent forth a clear, cold stream
of water from a shady recess in the
hillside. Here, ar Lees solicitous
suggestion, she rested after her long
waikiki was nearly a half-mile to the
MISUNDERSTANDING her skirts fluff
fly about her, taking her seat upon a
convenient log from which, with his
hat, Lee had swept the loose dust.
I'm dreadfully improper. am | not?'
said Marcia. "But I am tired, and it
is hot, isn't it? Out there in the fields,
| mean. Here it's just lovely. And
| do so love to hear about all the
things you know which are so Won
derful to me. Isn't life narrow in the
cities? Don't you think so, Mr.. Lee?'
The breeze playing gently with the
ribbons Of her sunshade brought to
him the ~faintest of violet perfumes.
He lay at her feet, obeying her tardy
to have the smoke which
she had interrupted. His eyes were
full of her.
I'D so love-" went on Marcia
dreamily, ito live always out-of-doors.
Out here l feel so sorry for the
people | know in town. Here women
must grow up so sweet and pure and
innocent; men must be so fine and
manly and strongl"
And she meant it. 1t was perfectly
clear that she spoke in utter sincerity.
For this long, summer day, no matter
how she would feel tomorrow. Marcia
was in tune with the open, yearned
for the life blown clean with the air
If the mountains. In the morning
Ter mood had been one of rebellion.
her mother had said things which
both hurt and shocked the girl. Her
mother was SO mercenary, so unro-
Now, as q bit of reaction, the
spirit had grown tender;
opposition had been followed by list
essness; and into the mood of tender |
istlessness there had come a man. A
nan whom Marcia had never noted
Until now and who was an anomaly,
-lmost a mystery.
Fate, in the form of old Carson,
urned a herd of believing steers out
alto the fields lying between the
and the ranch-house that aft
rnoon just as Marcia, making a late
oncession to prnpriety, was shaking
er skirts and. lifting her parasol. 1t
yas scarcely tosbe wondered at that
he steers seemed to Marciagsa great
erd of bloodthirsty beasts. Then
here were her pink gown and sun
hade.
ooh, dear, oh, dear!' cried Marcia.
So it was under Lees protection
lat she went back through the mead
and to the house. At first she was
'ightened by the strange noises his
ID horse made, little shorts which
lade her jump. But in the end Sc
ut out q timid hand and stroked the
alvet nose. When finally Bud Lee
fled his hat to her at the base of the
noll upon which the house stood
.arcia thanked him for his kindness.
I've been terribly unconventional.
went ~" she smiled at him. But
mustn't again. Next time we meet,
r. Lee, I am not even going to speak !,
you. Unless" relenting brightly. 5
Tou come up to the house and are /
introduced" /
AS she went through the lilacs Lee
her wave her parasol to him. c
Three days later Bud Lee learned ,
at Judith Sanford was, after all, b
lst a girl. you know; that at least 5
r once in her life she had slipped
to be by herself and to cry. He s
opped dead in his tracks when he
me Unexpectedly upon her, became D
ddenly awkward, embarrassed. a mo h
mt uncertain, but yielding swiftly to h
impulse to run for it. q
Come here, Bud Lee" commanded a
dith sharply, dabbing at her eyes. u h
mt to talk with you" p
He was at the Upper End where he d
d ridden for half a dozen young i
rises which were to be taken down al
o the meadow for their education. "
d here she was, on a bench outside b.
old cabin. INDUCING herself in a Of
arty cry. n
II didn't know you were here" al
stammered. Il was going TO make h;
ne coffee and have lunch here. be
sometimes. It's a real fine day.
t it, Miss Sanfordl Nice and warm
J II ~ 81