The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-02-21

supper the same: an hour OF twilight
with Texie on the rustic seat at whis-
pering spring. The rest of the day he
spent In the study At the parsonage.
| where. at the inslstence OF the veneer
able widow. he lunched. He proved to
be q very studious man IL was q
rare thing indeed 10 see him In DAP
light when his reering eyes were not
porting over book. with another
usually tucked under his arm.
Jack warhope had not yet climbed
the blnffs 10 the woods on the morn,
Ing OF that eyentful day that nsred
forth the startled face Of the noun.
tain girl with her hurried warning
Its dawn still chung 10 clir and scar,
and many candles were still sllght In
the village. when the preacher left the
parlor bedroom and came out on thu
porch.
Texie was already on the lawn, nit
ting about among the flowers and
gathering a bouquet for the breakfast
table.
much a part OF the rich life OF the
lawn as they. Life-lt radlated from
every curve Of her plant body: II was
the one thought that came first TO
mind when looking on her. There
were butterflies In the mellow glow
already arched above the rim OF the
east and sitting in through the cool
trees adrip with dew. but she was
more alive than they.
AT sight OF her. a-tiptoe by q lilac
bush and reaching up for one of its
choicest blossoms. the studlous con-
centratlon left the face OF the man On
the porch and there came over hts
features a curious Sadness sadness
touched with fire. as II within him had
suddenly fared up some desperate
battle OF the soul.
The girl had heard the step on the
porch. With the coveted blossom In
her hand az last. she placed II with
the others. and turned with a smile Of
sensible frankness.
The precise and studlous concentrs-
ton instantly returned 10 the eyes be-
hind the spectacles. the stoop came
back 10 the capable shoulders, and.
with the quick, mincing step that was
as much n part OF him as the frock
coat and neck stock. he came down or
the porch and Joined her.
With the stately and somewhat pom
derous courtesy OF seventy years ago,
he had taken the shears. begging TO
be allowed 20 cut the flowers. when
the slam Of n gate drew their eyes to
the back OF the yard. The old banker
was just coming from the barn, his
step leaving the rumpled trail In the
gray dew OF the lawn. his rugged face
apparently full OF its accustomed
strength and color.
IVY. father, ! expected you'd stay
In bed while this morning yet. after
spell the other night"
"Bedi No place fr well man after
pulled himself up to the
last inch OF his gaunt height; stretched
up his arms: filled his chest with the
dew-washed air; expelled II with an
explosive exclamation that scared a
couple OF blackbirds in the branches
iboye; and the crags and battiements
'f his grim old face smoothed them
selves out into an expression as near
Is they could come 10 a smile-''an'
am a well man-fit as fiddle"
but. father, you don't think of
yoin' 10 the-ofiice t'dayT"
"sw, ] reckon y'u'd all rsr up n
lid"
I'm 80 glad-and WON'T II be nice e
ave y'u at home all day ag'inl
Wish y'u never would ro back L that
lorrid OIL Office ag'ln."
The old man put his arm around bet
md patted her shoulder.
you're a good gni. Tcrie. ! dunno
What y'ur oil father would DO without
N. now that--that--"
He stopped; let his eyes stray mp
he river and far into the east. all