Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1924-10-24

to the bank under the WILLOWS Wnere
a pipe sent forth clear cold stream
of water from a shady recess in the
hillside. Here, at Lees solicitous
suggestion, she rested after her long
walk-it was nearly a half-mile to the
ranch-house-disposi her skirts fluff
fily about her, taking her seat upon
convenient log from which, with his
hat, Lee had swept the loose dust.
"Tm dreadfully improper, am l not?"
said Marcia. "But / am tired, and 1t
is hot, isn't it? Out there in the fields,
l mean. Here it's just lovely. And
I 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
command to have the smoke which
she had interrupted. His eyes were
full of her.
"Td SO love-" went on Marcia
dreamily, "to live always out of doors
Out here | feel so sorry for the
people know in town. Here women
must grow up so sWeW and pure and
innocent; men must be so fine and
manly and strong! !"
And she meant 1t. 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
of the mountains. In the morning
her mood had been one Of rebellion,
for her mother had said things which
both hurt and shocked the girl. Her
mother was so mercenary, so unrO-
mantle. Now, as bit of reaction the
rebellious spirit had grown tender
opposition had been followed by list
lesSness; and into the mood of tender
man whom Marcia had never noted
until now and who was an anomaly,
almost mystery.
Fate, in the form of old Carson,
turned herd Of believing steers out
into the fields lying between the
meadow and the ranch-house that aft
ernoon just as Marcia, making a late
concession to propriety, was shaking
her skirts and lifting her parasol. 1t
was scarcely to be wondered at that
the steers seemed to Marcia a great
herd of bloOdthirsty beasts. Then
there were her pink gown and sun
shade. :.
"Oh, dear, oh, dearr' cried Marcia
So 1t was under Lees protection
that she went back through the mead
ows and to the house. At first she was
frightened by the strange noises his
led horse made, little snorts which
made her jump. But in the end she
put out a timid hand and stroked the
velvet nose. When finally Bud Lee
lifted his hat to her at the base Of the
knoll upon which the house STOOD
Marcia thanked him for his kindness.
1--WE been terribly unconventional,
haven't II" she smiled at him. ''But
l mustn't again. Next time we meet,
Mr.. Lee, l am not even going to speak
to you. Unless" relenting brightly,
"you come up to the house and are
properly introduced !"
AS she went through the lilacs Lee
saw her wave her parasol to him.
Three days later Bud Lee learned
that Judith Sanford was, after all,
"just girl, you know" that at least
for once in her life she had slipped
away to be by herself and to cry. He
stopped dead in his tracks when he
came unexpectedly upon her, became
suddenly awkward, embarrassed, a mo-
ment uncertain, but yielding swiftly to
an impulse to run for it.
"Come here, Bud Lee" commanded
Judith sharply. dabbing at her eyes. II
want to talk with you"
He was at the Upper End where he
had ridden for half a dozen young
horses which were to be taken down
into the meadow for their education.
And here she was, on bench outside
the old cabin, indulging herself in a
hearty cry.
TT didn't know you were here"
he stammered. 81 was going to make
some coffee and have lunch here.
d., sometimes. It's real fine day,
isn't it, Miss Sanford! Nice and warm
and" His voice trailed off indis-
tinctly.
"Oh, scat!" cried Judith at him,
half laughing, still half crying. She
had wiped her eyes but still two big
tears, untouched, trembled on her
cheeks. In spite of him Lee couldn't
keep his eyes off them.
''Pm just crying" Judith told him
then, with sudden assumption Of
cool dignity which had in it something
of defiance. 1--WE got right to, if I
want to, haven't 1? What do you look
at me like that for?"
"Sure," he answered hastily. ut
does you good to cry; l know. Great
thing All ladies do, sometimes"