The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-02-28

AoSef manner 10 Indicate that Viola
had confded to him the story Of the
meeting in the thicket. But he was
profoundly astonished when the girl
favored him with warm. gay smile
and cried out CHEEKY How do you
do, Kenneth"
Better turn around and ride back
with us, Kenny" said Barry. politely
but not graciously.
Il am on my way to the Wild Cat to
see man on business" said Kenneth,
lamely.
kenny" repeated Viola. puckering
her brow. Where have 1 heard that
name beforef ! seem to remember
oh. as II It were thousand years ago
Do they call you Kenny for shortT
1T grew up with me-" he replied.
Ever since can remember. my
folks"
He broke of in the middle Of the
sentence. confronted by a disconcert-
ing thought. Could 1t be possible that
somewhere In viola's brain-or rather
In Minda's baby brain-that familiar
name had stamped itself? Why mott
II 1t had been impressed upon his own
baby brain, why not In a less degree
upon hersf
He lifted his hat and rode OF. He
had gone not more than twenty rods
when he heard a masculine shout from
behind; turning, he discovered that the
couple were still standing where he
had left them. Lapelle called out:
Your sister wants to have word
with you"
She rode swiftly up to where he was
waiting.
II just want to let you know that /
intend to tell mother about meeting
Barry out here today" she said, un-
smiling. Il shall not tell her that we
had planned 1t in advance, however.
We did plan 1t, so If you want to run
and tell her yourself. you may do SO.
1t will make no"
lis that all you wanted to say to
me, ViolaY' he interrupted.
For moment she faced him rebel
liously, hot words on her lips. Then
a surprising change came over her
Her eyes quailed under the justifiable
scorn in his. She hung her head.
NO" she said, miserably. II thought
1t was all, but 1t isn't. I want to say
that am sorry said what did"
He watched the scarlet flood sweep
over her cheeks and then as swiftly
fade. 1t was abject surrender, and yet
he had no thrill Of triumph. Its
It's all right, VIOLA" he stammered,
awkwardly. Don't think anything
more about 1t. We will consider 1t
unsaid."
mo, we'll not" said she, looking
up. but I am sorry, Kenneth. VIII
you try to forget it?'
He shook his head. Never! Forget
ting the bitter would mean that ]
would also have to give up the sweet"
said he, gallantly
Il must be going now," she said, bit
ing her lip. "Good-by-Kenny." A
faint frown clouded her brow after she
had uttered the name. Il must ask
mother If she remembers hearing IA
ther speak Of you as Kenny"
Say, VIOLA" came an impatient
shout from Barry Lapelle. "are you
going to take all day?
1t was plain to be seen that the
young man was out of temper. Ken
meth could not repress a chuckle.
Better hurry along" he said, grim
ly. 'or he'll take your head or"
She rode of in high dudgeon and he
was left to curse his ill-tmed. Jest.
What blundering fool he had been
Her first, timid little advance-and he
had met it with boorish. clownish wit
Dusk was falling when Kenneth
rode slowly into the town again. He
had reached decision during that
lonely ride. He would not remain in
Lafayette. He foresaw misery and
unhappiness for himself If he stayed
therefor. be 1t here declared, he was
in love with Viola Gwyn. No, worse
than that, he was In love with Minda
Carter. and therein lay all the bitter
never have her. Even though she cast
OF the ardent Lapelle, still he could
not have her for his own. The bars
were up, and 1t was now beyond his
power to lower them. And so, with
this resolve firmly fixed In his mind,
he gave himself up to a strange sort
Of despair.
The incomprehendbie and incredible
had come to pass. He had fallen In
love with Viola Gwyn at first sight,
that stormy night at Strikers. The
discovery that she was his own half
sister had, Of course. deluded his
senses-temporarily, but now he
realized that the strange. primitive In
stincts Of man had not been deceived
and would not be denied.
His blood had known the truth from
the instant he first laid eyes upon the
lovely stranger. Since that first night
there had been revelations. First Of
all, Viola was the flesh and blood of an
evil woman, and that woman his NOR
tai foe. Notwithstanding her own
innocence and purity, 1t was incOn-
ceivable that he should ever think of