The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-03-05

bupp<f luc bdme, III uOul VI LWllkAt
with Texie on the rustic seat at whis-
pering spring. The rest Of the day he
spent In the study ut the parsonage,
where, at the fnsistence of the veneer
able widow. he lunched. He proved to
be q very studious man II wss Q
rare thing indeed to see him in day
light when his Eeering eyes were not
porting over q book, with another
usually tucked under his arm
Jack Warhope had not yet climbed
the bluffs to the woods on the morn
Ing Of that eventful day that nared
forth the startled face of the noun
tain girl with her hurried warning:
It's dawn still chung to cliff and scar
and many candles were still alight In
the village, when the preacher left the
porch.
TeIie was already on the lawn, fit
ting about among the flowers and
gathering bouquet for the breakfast
table.
She was Ike them-the flowers; as
much part Of the rich life Of the
lawn as they. Life-it radiated from
every curve Of her plant body; it 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 4 lilac
bush and reaching up for one Of its
choicest blossoms, the studious con-
centration left the face Of the man on
the porch and there came over bis
features a curious Sadness sadness
touched with fire, as If within him had
suddenly aared up some desperate
battle Of the soul.
The girl had heard the step on the
porch. With the coveted blossom In
her hand at last, she placed 1t with
the others, and turned with a smile Of
sensible frankness.
The precise and studious concentra-
ton instantly returned to the eyes be-
hind the spectacles, the stoop came
back to the capable shoulders, and,
with the quick. mincing step that was
as much a part Of him as the frock
coat and neck stock. he came down OF
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 to cut the flowers, when
the slam Of a gate drew their eyes to
the back Of the yard The old banker
vas just coming from the barn, his
step leaving the rumpled trail In the
gray dew Of the lawn, his rugged face
full Of its accustomed |
strength and color.
IVY, father, / expected you'd stay
IN bed while this morning yet, after
spell the other night"
Bed No place fr well man after
pulled himself up to the
asst inch Of his gaunt height; stretched /
Up his arms; filed his chest with the /
air; expelled II with an 1
Explosive exclamation that scared a
couple of blackbirds In the branches 1
lbove; and the crags and battiements
If his grim old face smoothed them
selves out into an expression as near
Is they could come to q smile-"an'
am a well man-fit as a fiddle"
But. father. you don't think Of
,oin' TO the-office t'dayT
saw. 1 reckon y'u'd all r'ar up If
lid"
I'm so glad-and wont II be nice T
lave y'u at home all day. ag'inl I
wish y'u never would 80 back t that
lorrid OF Office ag'in-"
The old man put his arm around her
nd patted her shoulder.
You're a good gal, Texie. 1 dunno
that y'ur OF father would do without
u, now that-that-"
He stopped; let his eyes stray up
be river and far into the east, ell