Evening star., 1924-09-02
CONTINUED from Yesterdays Starr
Dawn was lifting her golden hea

Dawn was lifting her golden head
over the long arm OF the Lizard. A
chain Of little pink clouds foated
above her like adoring cherubs.
Morning mists drifted up from the
switch backed hills to the north.
white as steam. over ST. Gwithian
tower the moon hung, haSgard and
deathly pale, an old siren giving
place to a rosy de hutante. In the
bushes birds twittered and cheeped.
tuning their voices against the day.
John Penhale waited. bent double.
the heavy stone ready in his hands.
The footpad was long time coming.
John wondered if he had taken the
wrong turning-but that was inn
probable: the mares tracks were
plain. Some one might have come
out of the cottage and forced the tel
low into hiding--or he might have
sensed the ambush. John was just
Strengthening his back to peer over
the furze when he heard the soft thud
of bare feet on the road, heard them
hesitate and then turn toward him.
following the hoof prints. He held
his breath judged the time and dis
,ance and sprang up. the stone poised
in both hands above his head. He
lowered ii slowly and let 1T drop IN
the mud. 1t was the girl.
She looked at the stone. then at
John and her mouth twitched with
the flicker of a smile. John felt fool
ish and consequently. angry. He
stepped out of the bushes.
why are you following me-: he
demanded -
She looked down at her bare feet.
then up at him out of the corners or
her deep dark eyes. but made no
answer.
John grasped her by an arm and
shook her. Cant you speak? why
are you following me?'
She did not reply. but WINGED
slightly. and John saw that he was
gripping one of the cruel bruises.
He released her. instantly contrite.
Il did not mean to do that he said
Then. hardening again: But. look.
YOU I'll have no more of this. ii
have none of your kind round here,
burning ricks If l catch YOU near
my farm I'll hand you over to the
law for for what you are
and you'll be whipped. Do you near
me-
The girl remained silent. leaning
up against the bank pouting. looking
up at John under her long lashes.
She was handsome in sulky. out
landish way. he admitted. She had
short nose. high cheek bones and
very dark eyes with odd lights in
them: her bare head was covered with
crisp black curls and she wore big
brass earrings: a little guitar was
tucked under one arm. The tattered
cloak was drawn tight about her
showing the thin but graceful lines
of her fgure-a handsome trollop.
IL YOU won't speak you won't
but. remember l have warned you,
said John. but with less heat, as he
united his horse and mounted. AS he
turned the corner he glanced fur
lively back and met the girls eyes
full. He put spurs to the mare
flushing hotly.
A quarter of an hour later he refined
up in his yard. He had been away
rather less than twenty-four hours
but it seemed like as many days. II
was good to be home. A twist OF
blue smoke at chimney told him
Martha was stirring and he would get
breakfast soon. He heard the blat-
ter of calves in their shed and the
deep. answering moo of cows from
the byre, the splash and babble OF
the stream. In the elms the rocks
had already begun to Quarrel-fa'
miliar voices.
He found Bohemia in the stable
wisping a horse and singing his one
song, Il seen ram at Hereford falr.
turned the mare over to him ant
sought the yard again.
1t was good to be home anc
vet and yet things moved
briskly outside. one found adventure:
out in the world, adventures that Sc
the blood racing. He was boyishlI
pleased with his tuSsle with the vaga
bond, had tricked him rather neatly
he thought; he must tell Bohennt
about that. Then the girl. She hae
not WINGED at the sight of his face
not quivver. had smiled at hin
even. He wondered if she were Still
standing in the COW track, the blue
cloak drawn about her. squelchins
mud through her bar. toes-or wa:
she ranging the fields after more tur'
uips-turnipS. She was no bette
than an animal-but a handsome ami
nal for all that. if somewhat thin
oh. well. she had gone now; he hat
scared her off. would never SIC he1
again.
He turned to walk into the hous'
and saw the girl again. She wa
leaning against the gate post. looking
up at him under her lashes:. He stoot
stockstill for a moment, amazed IS a
q vision, and then flung at her: