davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

Across the hall. in the sitting
ROOM" was gathered a group Of
three men. One OF them was Cis-
sizes father; the other two were
her brothers. OF the lads, the
elder was tall, gaunt replica OF
ms father, who now sat stern
faced and grim, a rifle across his
knees. The younger boy was
Iafrer. less stern, with frank blue
eyes and hair as golden as Cissie's
own.
The boys were waiting to hear
why this family conference had
oeen called. But the sight of their
fathers rifle and the sound of
Cissle's sobs gave them an inkling
and they sat. frowning at the
floor and shifting their feet rest.
lessly. waiting for the "oId man"
to speak
Pledged to Elmer
In a few terse sentences hee
confirmed that which they had
already suspected. He had that
AFTERNOON happened i'm upon Cis-
sic when she thought she was
alone and had found her cry
ing. He had demanded to know
the reason and the girl, who had
been brought up to fear her
father and who was afraid to lie.
had confessed that she was In
love with Elmer Rankin and
that he was going away More
and this the father had dragged
from the motherless girl after
an hour OF anguished refusal to
a1swer-she had given herself to
Elmer.
Don't blame him. Pap. Tt
wasn't his fault. He's so differ
ent from the rest of the fellows
around here-so much nicer. I
used to sneak out at night after
you were in bed and go down to
his cabin. He told me not to do
1t. He even threatened to tell
you IL / didn't stop 1t, but
wouldn't stay away.
1t was so much nicer to wan
der through the hills with him
Everything looked different be.
cause he's had an education and
could talk about things so nice
that they'd look as If | never
saw them before.
And now he's going away.
Pap, away TO the war. and ii will
be deader than ever in these old
hills Cissie finished her story,
tears streaming down her cheeks.
But the tears OF gentle grief
were turned to sobs OF terror
when her father answered
Coin away, is he? After
playin' fast and loose with my
girl, he Things he's goin' away!
/ guess he's got a lot TO larn
about us folks
Deaf was he to the sobs OF
Cissie. to her frantic entreaty that
he leave the matter to her--that
he should not believe her--any-
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

it myself until lately I've been
very lonely here and she has
been the only one who was in
terested. who offered me any un-
derstanding. Her sympathy
meant lot to me-but I didn't
intend it should grow into love
because I'm not in a position
to get married.
I came up here into the noun
tains to get away from wife
who made life miserable for me
and yet whose homeopathy be-
cause it was my name-I hated
to drag through the divorce
courts. / did not think I'd ever
want any freedom, that 1t would
ever matter.
Cissie's Nature
1T was not until last week
when l told Cissie that / was go
ing away-to join the army--that
realized l loved her-and she
loved me. Nor had / intended
that that should happen which
did. was carried away by a
force stronger than myself, as
elemental and irresistible as one
of your mountain storms, and
I've suffered week Of torture
since. There isn't anything I
wouldn't do to undo what I've
done. What have / to offer her
except love? I am not even
free?
His head was bowed on his arm
and Hugh's heart went out in pity
to the man who spoke SO simply,
so frankly of his love. Hugh
knew Cissie, her impetuous, tenn
pestuous nature; knew that 1t
probably had been the force Of
her emotions that had swept this
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

Turning quickly the boy saw
Elmer Rankin at his side. Il
was out for walk and saw you
coming along there" Elmer con-
tinued. Thought you might be
looking for me to pay me a
friendly visit There was amuser
ment and scorn in the mans eyes
as they rested on Hugh's rifle,
but there was no fear. Won't
you come inside? I'D like to
talk to you for a while"
Hugh hesitated. He had not
expected such a situation to arise,
did not know how to meet 1t.
And he liked this Elmer Rankin
now, who, without waiting for his
answer had opened the door and
leaving 1t wide for him to follow,
had gone in and seated himself
on a chair before the wood fire.
1t was mid-April and the air was
chill. After moment or two
Hugh followed him.
He Explains
For a while they smoked.
Hugh, having refused to accept
the tobacco Elmer offered him,
had produced his own. 1t was
the stranger, not the mountaineer,
who broke the silence.
II have q hunch," he said,
''that you came down here to-
night to see me about-Cissie.
Let's not beat around the bush,
Hugh You are her favorite
brother and 1 believe you are
little different from the general run
of intolerant people around here
Just as Cissie is different from
them. Was it about her you
came to see me?"
Hugh nodded and Elmer went
on, II love Cissie. Didn't know
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

thing, anything, except that harm
should come to the man she loved.
Her pleading was utterly lost on
Sam Dayton. With careful pre-
cision he took down and cleaned
his rifle, then sent for his two
sons to come in from the fields.
The unwritten law of the noun
tains demanded that the Dayton
family exact the life Of the man
who had wronged Dayton girl.
Meet in Cabin
A few words explained the mat
ter to the brothers and they
agreed that whoever was chosen
should go, alone. to Elmer Ran
kin's cabin and settle with him.
The task fell to the younger boy,
Hugh. Without a word he rose,
frightened his belt, and, noncha-
Iantly splitting tobacco into the
open fireplace, picked up the rifle
and strobe through the door.
Hugh knew Elmer Rankin. In
fact. he rather liked him. al
though he knew the prejudice
many of the mountaineers, in
Guiding his father, had against
any stranger. Rankin had come
up to live among them almost =
year ago, buying an old mountain
cabin where he lived alone.
The cabin was in sight now.
With instructive caution Hugh
tread carefully, accommodating be-
fore making his presence known.
There was a light burning inside
the cabin. Hugh was preparing
to knock on the door. his rifle
held in readiness for quick use,
when a voice sounded at his
elbow.
Looking for me, Hugh?" 1t
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

and lover gone Would they
come back? Dull, monOtonOus
days. black with worry and care
and hatred. Cissie's father had
never forgiven her and he treat
ed her like dirt beneath his feet.
Alone at night, locked in her
room, she would read over again
and again the letter Hugh had
brought her from Elmer. 1t was
brief. An avowal or his love and
an address in New York city
through which she could reach
him IL need be. That was all.
but in those dark, fear tortured
days it was a wealth or com1ort
to the girl.
Hugh was the first to come
home, an injured Hugh, to be
,nursed back to health. Carefully
he whispered to Cissie that he
had seen Elmer in France just q
few weeks before--that he was
alive and well-and that he sent
his love. And when the elder
son returned home Cissie's father
was content, but the girl still
watched the road. hoping-wait-
ing-knowing that many woman
watched other roads for loved
ones, watched in vain
Redeelming Love
The Iengthening shadows nom
towering pines surrounding the
little mountain cabin were gr9du-
ally fading into purple dimness
as the soft thud-thud OF two
horses sounded coming up the
trail.
And. as If in answer to a call
through thought, a slim girllsh
figure came and stood in the rude
Come in hyah, yer little fool,
Amt yer ever goin to stop
that trick?'
But peering eyes. suddenly
dimmed from a humping heart,
had already seen the leading
horseman. There was little
gurgling cry of supreme love, a
fluttering of skirt and, as a
stalwart figure threw itself from
his horse, two forms mingled
into one.
And then tragedy stalked for
moment as the tall mountaineer
stood beside the daughter he had
scorned for over a year. A blue
steeled servant Of death ready IN
his hand. IS
wait a minute, Pap" said
Elmer. Put it up or you'll make
my bride an orphan"
For blue steel was ready to
answer blue steel-eyes that had
seen battle and death many,
many TIMES, met eyes of noun.
tain intolerance-and won
This is the preacher, Pap.
And the license is in my pocket.
And there is no need to talk. So.
go to it, Parson."
And the wind sighed a wedding
march as these two children OF
natupA were joined in law as they
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

thing iii terror The rain came
awishInR down the road. dancing
at their heels. 1ney went along
with their heads ducked like dis
trauglt shadows. Mystery en-
yeloped them.
How Queer even the ralnl
VINO il he who ii this man n
sandy thought, breathing II short,
excited gaape. 81 don't know
him And he was 30 different
with this blanched. ct look from
the careless. laughing fellow who
had, flushed her heart with e&pee
tance Is long agOeo very long
ago Not much more thau
: yeara yeax and half
but II seemed = lifetime.
She Jagged.
sOh, was walking too qI1icilyg
Here take my arm. Xou Wont
mind that
.sAGind II! on. what y The naat
ter with you, RamOng Ton oct
like nadn1au. mind II
You must Be crazy 70 let mo 50
stumbling along. Help mel Damn
it!''
He swept his arm a00u1 h9E-
She could have easily tainte
Just close her eyes ana Iet 90.
she thought: wen soon b home
IL We keep up this pace. He's
not going 70 talk He won't say
any more. III BE- LEFT n this sus-
pense.
And she burst out. tremuI0us
seeming brazen. yet ready 70 cry.
sWhy aid you conner What good
did Won do By cOming3 Acting
like Sphinx. Throwing up the
sponge because the worlds not
made to order FOR You. Going
into tantrums because you want
the moon and can't have It! Don't
you think I want lots Of things
] can't get? And III never get
I'm ten whole years younger than
you! You came to torment me-
to cruelty me with fears about
YOU. You call that love? call
II selGahnessI can II cowardicel'
CTo be Continued TomorTow.l
The Washington times., 1926-03-24
THE MOUNTAINEER'S CODE

Swept away by her impetuOus-
ness, he had taken the love she
20 readily offered-and then. too
late. would have given anything
to undo the wrong.
A SILENCE brooded over the
- mountains, broken only by
the far-off bark of a dog and the
s.whoo-whoo- hoo of distant
train. Night, like soft purple
blanket, embroidered the stars,
softened the outlines of every OBJ
1ect outdoors. There was no sign
of life, but presently there was
sound. From the open door of a
mountain home came the heart.
broken sobbing of woman
Cissie Dayton was crying as she
had never cried before in all her
Is years. For she was close TO
tragedy--how closely only those
can guess who know the code of
the mountaineers. Lying on the
bed in her room, which was on
the ground floor of the house,
she sobbed conyulsiveIy, giving
way to the terror and grief that
had for days tortured her mind.
The Washington times., 1926-03-24
81 EIenore Meherin.
Author of AChickie, " .Ann,a
Ann and PhiI'' and
Nora Lee.

The moment Mays door was
closed, Sandy ran across the
street and caught Ramon's arm.
I'm glad glad to see you.''
He looked down at her in aston
iefment. Why didn't you come
last night. them / waited till /
o'clock.
What are you talking about?"
Didn't You get my letter.
Yes-buI you didn't say you
were coming
Well, wasn't until after / got
that one from you-the one just
after you got the ring.
Lord, Sandy, you're not going to
send me away like that? I had
TO see you after / got that letter.
She now looked at him. His
face appeared sunken IT was col
orless and wet.
But he smiled at her. $50 /
came. Didn't I say I was com
ing? Didn't tell you to meet
me- I don't know what I wrote.
was beside myself. .
The Fatal Letter
She was puzzled: No, you didn't
say you were coming And she
thought with a heavy, sickening
pang: He doesn't know what he's
saying -what letter-what letter
does he mean
They walked in a lonely block
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

man off his feet. HeAtatingiy,
feeling like traitor to his father,
yet wanting to be this mans
friend, he stretched forth a hand
and laid it over Elmer Rankin 8
hand. His solution was simple
and direct.
mo good in you stayin if you
can't marry Cissie. You better
go away to war and take your
chances of gettin' shot. I'll
ride with you over the noun
tains to Harperville and put you
on the train for New York. Can
you get packed tonight"
"I hate running way" was
Elmer's protest.
Hugh spat. Hell. do you
think Cissie would be any hap
pier if you got shot up by one
O. us?"
That settled it. Within an
hour Rankin was packed and
rode down the starlit trail by
Hugh's side. An early morning
train carried him to New York
and Hugh returned home. care
fully hiding in his blouse a
he had been commissioned to
kill. Hugh's explanation to his
father was simple. The varmint
had left. bag and baggage, be-
fore he got to the cabin.
X X X
Weary days dragged by. The
war was being fought in earnest
and there came a day when Hugh
and his elder brother rode away
to join the army. Only Cissie
at home now, Cissie and her
father. She was a pale, color
less Cissie, her eyes ever fixed
Wfstfully on the road. Brothers
The Washington times., 1926-03-24
HERE'S FOXY GRANDPA'S STORY

found my red bandana. l put it
in my pocket and we started out
and got into the car.
We rode and rode and finally
got to the place where we hoped
to see the gnus.
You know gnus belong to the
antelope family and are just as
funnylooking as their name
sounds.
We wandered around for while
and then we ate our lunch and
wandered around some more. But
not a gnu did we see.
The afternoon wore on. ! was
getting discouraged by this time
and was about giving up hope
when all of sudden we saw a
cloud of dust on the horizon.
There they Gomez shouted
Bunny. II felt it in my right
hind foot that we would see them
today"
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

> / began waving the handker-
chief at the gnus and do you
know they all stopped still for
moment and then as quietly
as flock Of sheep they walked
over near us-very near us and
stood looking at us.
| not only got one picture but
half a dozen of these strange
animals. Some day I will show
them to you. They didn't mind
being photographed at all and
even watched me while put up
my camera. Finally the leader
gave the signal and off they
galloped.
What does 1t mean?"I asked
Bunny.
Simply that they are the most
inquisitive animals on EARTH"
replied Bunny, watching the gnug
disappear in a cloud of dust
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

66T'D like to get a picture of a
Il gnu, while we're down here"
said to Bunny and Bobby one
morning at breakfast, when we
were down. in South Africa.
Soon after breakfast we started
out for the country--to a wooded
plain where we were told there
were gnus and just as we started
Bunny said:
Foxy Grandpa, have you your
red bandana handkerchief with
your
l felt in my pocket and found
that l didn't have it, then Bunny
suggested:
II think it would be wise for
you to take II with you today"
Now what under the sun had
that little rabbit in his little
white head / wondered. But /
didn't ask any questions, but
went right back to my room ami
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

/ was excited, l want you to
know, as the great herd came
golloping toward us.
Finally they saw us! They
kicked up their heels and they,
lowered their horns as If to
charge at us and l was getting
nervous about 1t. But Bunny
said they wouldn't hurt a hair
of our heads, including his own.
SO / believed him.
II wish they would come
closer then, If that is the case,
so / could get a good picture"
| murmured.
"Tie that red handkerchief on
this stick. Foxy Grandpa" said
Bunny, and I'm sure you'll get
your wish"
Quickly I cited the handker-
chief on the end of the stick
and then Bunny said:
Wave it at them"
The Washington times., 1926-03-24
A Romance Of q Girl Forced Into 3 Love,
less Marriage BY a Family That
Thought Only Of Money.

cry; too mute even to put OUT
her hand.
He sat SO quiet with his eyes
closed, his fist against his mouth
After long while he looked at
her and smiled. That's your
answer. sandy7 I see. Yes.
see It now
The rain danced on the radi-
ator 1t came IN swift. heavy
sheets.
..0uite 1 night, isn't ita I
shouldn't have made you come
with me.
you didn't make me come.
L was glad to come.
stIsll take you home now
why do you talk In this
solemn way, Ramon
He shook his head. Then he
tried 10 start the car. He tried
again and again.
sandy watched his tense. hue
less face. Its rigid smile snlOte
] like q wound on her distracted
nerves.
a BaiIy CIR
something wrong with the
ignition. Ii won't start. z He
KEPT trying. See II can,
crank her z
"oh, don't set ont. Yonn
ret drenched.
He shrugged I'VE can't stay
here All night
She laughed hysterically: Once
I stayed out ali night because Of
an automobile. Raining then, too,
No wonder / hate rain: Oh,
loathe i'll I'd like 10 get out
ana crawl under that hill I'd
ike 10 run against this wind
mt my head down and run
against it: keep running and rum
ming past the pier
..ShaII We do that togetiner.
Sandy?p
size Hung her head back. sud
denly cold and hard with resent
ment
She shut her eyes against that
terrible. irnpIorinR smile. Then
he was standing In the deluxe.
He stopped at the radiator. The
rain dashed In his face; came puL-
feting against him. He cranked
and cranked.
He came back 10 her, took OF
his hat, letting the water pour
from the rim. Il cant get started:
Must be water in the distributor.
Were only q mile or 80 from
home. We can walk. You can
send for the car.
'sIf you're not afraid to wait
here -
81 don't want to walt here Ia
much rather walk feel like i.
You'll get soaked.
nI,m tough! nothing hurts me.
They started out. The gray.
wind-swept night hooted Ike =
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

the storm. sandy. but, !. Isn't
this true?'
she turned from him, gazing
at the gray, misty downpour.
''You blame me, Ramon, az
though ! started out to wreck
your life
.'No. But without you 1t Ii
wrecked. .
You'd be better free of me.
Far better"
why do you say this? I'm
satisfied to be bound" He sat
forward, both hands clenched on
the steering wheel. He now said
in hoarse undertone: Then
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

rain and wind made mournful
Wailing sounds.
Sandy shuddered Terrible
storm like this Is terrible She
thought: 1t was like this--that
night The night she ran down
the path calling him back to her
because the loneliness was hate
full with that branch tapping
on the pane and the pebbles
hurled against the door.
She drew herself down.
It's not the storm makes you
unhappy, Sandy. In another mood
you'd love it, He leaned over
and tried to see her face. Not
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

you did mean 1t, Sandy? You'd
be willing to send me away know
ing that we might never see each
other again."
Tired Of IL All
she breathed laboriousIy half
stifled. A presence alert and
hard sat within her mind and
this presence urged: "Yes-I'd be
willing to have you go. Relieved
to have you go! What solution
ID there If you stay? I'm tired
of it--tired Of the whole burden
some affair. Say It'll Say thiar'
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

But her lips refused to form .
single syllable.
Would you be willing to send
me away. Sandy, II we were not
to meet again ever"
I'm only thinking OF the pres
ent, Ramon. OF things as they
are now. And / want 1t ended
for now because there's nothing
else I can do. When I see where
it's leading, I blame myself.
regret ever met you. =
He made sharp, inarticula4e
sound, pressed his fist against
his mouth.
She covered. too miserable to
The Washington times., 1926-03-24
Getting SKINNER
Every Day
Something Must Be Done and
Done Right Now-Quick. Get
+, McCOy's Cod Liver Oil
Compound Tablets.

Fena of thousands Of thin run down,
ynan-yes and women too-are getting
discouraged-are giving mp all hope Of
ever being able To take on flesh and
look healthy and strong.
All such people can stop worrying
and start to smile and enjoy life right
now for Mccoy's Cod Liver Oil Com
Mound Tablets which any druggist will
ten you all about is putting flesh on
hosts OF skinny folks every day.
One woman, tired. weak and dis
couraged put on Is pounds in five
weeks and now feels fine.
= We all know that Cod Liver Oil Is
full Of vitaIfzing. flesh producing vita
mines but many people can't take IL
because of its horrible smell and fishy
taste and because IL often upsets the
McCoy's Cod Liver Oil Compound Tab
lets are az easy TO take candy and
IL any thin person don't gain at least
S pounds in 80 days your druggist is
authorized TO give you your money
back-and only SO cents for SO tablets.
ASK Peoples Drug Stores any live
pharmacist anywhere
But be sure to get McCoy's. the
original and genuine. and bear in mind
that for thin. sickly kids they are won
deFfui--a very sick child-age 8. gained
IL pounds in months.
Mrn0WSS C0O LIVER
The Washington times., 1926-03-24
Sandy ii Movies

Sandy" soon win - seen -
I.Oew's Palace. The FOX RIM
Corporation already haa started
prOducfiOn.
Madge Bethany, shorn d lDeF
Iuxnrioup tresses, has been
selected Tor The pavt o IL
red-headed bob hairad. flaming
SANDY
"Sandy win make her screan
debut while the story = run.
nine In The WasIlingtcn Times.
The Washington times., 1926-03-24
Story Of Real Life
Complete in this Issue

had been In love. And peace and
contentment reigned again in the
mountain kingdom. For Elmer.
freed by the death OF his former
wife, had returned and claimed
his bride
The Washington times., 1926-03-24
The Worlds Oldest Inscription

THE oldest historical inscription the world recently
found Mesopotamia among the ruins the cities of the
Sumerian oldest civilized The nscrp
ton made about $500 B. c.
The Washington times., 1926-03-24
NoO Go On With the Story

Trees grew at the curb And all
the houses were set far back with
shrubs at the garden. Ramon
took her hands. turned her so
that he could look in her face:
I had to see you. Sandy For
give me for this. ! have the car.
Will you ride with me2''
Yes-but don't look so, Ramon.
You brighten me-
Don't be afraid. I'm not
going to trouble you.''
He kept smiling as he drove.
He said, looking at her. Its
good to see YOU
She wanted to cry.
Suddenly he stopped the car.
He took both her hands and
stared at them What are yon
going to do with me. Sandy?''
What do you nean?"
Just that. What are you
going to do with me?''
She swallowed-her tongue felt
swollen and dry.
Maybe shouldn't ask YOU.
Maybe I ought to settle ii my
self"
Don't talk so. Ramon. That's
no way for you to talk"
Then answer me, Sandy. I've
got to know"
The Washington times., 1926-03-24
Swift Adventure, TingIing Romance,
and the Thrill of Young
Love
The Story So Far

Sandy Mcneil in love with LIFE marries Ben Murilo
ch Italian to please her impoverished family Tyranny by
urillo and frequent quarre follow dies at birth
Bob Mcneil her uncle aids in plans for Sandy and her
mother to take trip Honolulu There she Ramon
Worth who her life in the surf On the steamer
home he declares his love. Mo he will release
her Judith Moore cousin tells Sandy love everything
Murio overtakes her as she for yst with Ramon
he appears unexpectedly ct party she giving for her
friends After the party he strikes her. She leaves his
house and accepts the kindly attentions Of Ramon whose
home she shares She then accepts position in the city and
his home She is summoned home and leaves Ramon,
ang TO marry him when she Is free At her home she is
CONFRONTED by Mur1lo who asks her to back She
refuses. Then she receives ring from Ramon with note
saving Good by
The Washington times., 1926-03-24
Annerica,s VanisIsina Forests

TTREE FFTTS of the existing the United states
when th first settlers here have disappeared Vt tne
other tfth four times - each y cut
down annually.
The Washington times., 1926-03-24
CHAPTER II

CHAPTER II
THE rain blew slanting across
i the tree and the tree bowed.
Then the wind swept about. sent
the rain flying like a wrath
down the road. Trees and the
The Washington times., 1926-03-24

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