The Arvada enterprise., 1924-01-03
CHAPTER i-continued.

ouietness She was very haggard.
very thin: she wore her massive black
hair drawn away hideOusly from brow
and temple, and out of this lean, un-
shaded face pair Of deep eyes looked
drowsily, dangerously. Her mouth
was Strengthened Into an expression of
proud bitterness, her round chin
thrust forward; there was a deep,
scowllng line that rose from the
bridge Of he. straight. short nose al
most to the roots of her hair. It cut
across a splendidly modelled brow. She
was very graceful, II such bundle of
bones might be said to have any
grace. Her pose was arresting. There
WINS tragic force and attraction
about her.
The man by the door appraised her
carefully between his narrowed lids.
He kept in mind the remembered mel
ody of her voice. and. after a few
moments, he strolled across the floor
and came up to her.
"Will you dance?"' he said.
He had a very charming and subtle
smile, very charming and sympa-
thetic look. The woman was startled.
color rose into her face. She stared
at him.
"rm not dancing, Mr.. Morena." she
answered.
"You know my name," smiled Mo-
rena; "nnd don't know yours. I've
been on Mr.. Yarnall's ranch for a
month. Why haven't seen you?"
Fer not lookin', suppose" She
had given him that one startled glance.
md now she had turned her eyes
back to the dancers and wore grim.
contemptuous mir. Her speeches.
though they were cut into short. crisp
words, were full Of music Of sharp.
metallic quality different from the
tone Of her other speech. but quite as
beautifully expressive.
MAY I smoker? asked Morena. He
was still smiling his charming smile
and watching her out Of the corners
Of his eyes.
"rm not hinderin' you any," said
she.
MOrena smiled deeper. He took some
time making and lighting his cigarette.
"You don't smoke yourself?" he
asked.
"No."
"NOr dance?"
mo"
Nor behave prettlly to polite young
men"
Again the woman looked at him.
"You amt 30 awful young. are you?"
He laughed aloud.
II amuse you. don't I? Well. I'm
not always so ALFRED funny" drawled
the creature. lowering her head a
little.
mo. I've heard that you're not.
You rather run things here. I gather {:
got the boys plumb scared'?"
did Mr.. Yarnall tell you thnt?"
Eyes. I've just in the last few min
ntes remembered who you are. You're
Jane. You cook for the 'outfit.' and
Yarnall was telling us the other night
how he sent one Of the boys out for
cook, the last one. man. having been
henten up. and how the boy had
brought you back behind him on his
saddle. He said you'd kept order for
him ever since. were better than a
foreman. Who was the man you threw
out tonight1"
"Perhaps," drawied Jane. "he was
Just q feller who asked too many
quesfiOns?'
Again Morena'a smile deepened in&O
his cheeks. "You must pardon me. Miss
Jane" he said In his murmuring. cul-
tivated voice. "You see. I've had a
great misfortune. I've never been In
your West. I've lived In New York.
where good manners haven't time or
spaee to flourish. ! hadn't the least
intention. Of bcing impairment. DO
you want me to go?"
lie moved ms n to leave her. and she
did not lift finger to detaln him.
I'm not carin' DO as you please"
she said with entire Indifference.
"Oh." said Morena. looking back nt
hrr. II don't stay where people are
not cnrln'.'"
She gnve him mn extraordinarily In.
tciligcnt look. ~ should say thnis
the only place you'd he wnntln' 10 stay
In nt nll-whcre you're not exactly
urged 10 come she said.
Morcnn flushed and his lids nick.
cred. He was for an instant absurdly
inclined to anger and made two or
three steps AWAY. But he came back.
lie bowed and spoke ms he would
have spoken to a great lady. sunvely.
deferentinlly.
Goodnight. I wish | could think
that you have enjoyed our talk ms
greatly ns have. Miss Jane. ] should
very much like TO he allowed 10 re-.
pent IT, Mny ! he stupidity personal
md tell you that you nre very beau.
'iful?" lie bowed. gave her an up
wnrd look md Went out, finding his
wny cleverly among the dancers.
Outside. In the moonllt court. he
stood. threw back his head md
laughed. NOT loudly but consufnedly.