Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-01-08

81
fought himself into obliviousness OF
his rivals presence.
he held out his gift to her.
my Uncle Hepslbah has Just come
from the -Engiirh coloniex Ind he
brought me this that might In turn
give 1t to you. VIII you accept 1t.
Tolnetter'
He forgot Paul Tache. Spots Of red
came into his cheeks AZ ToInette's sur
Drised eyes greeted him. She almost
smiled. and as II something made her
forgetfu OF her magnif7cence and7the
dignity II imposed. she extended her
hand to receive the package. The
manner In which she accepted hls
gift sent the blood racing through his
body The color deepened In her
cheeks. and. mistakng this for still
greater evidence OF the pleasurable
thrill he had given her. Jeems was
sure she was about to thank him for
his gift. when Paul stood beside them.
Ignoring .Ieems. Toinette's cousin led
her away. politely relieving her OF the
package AS they went. II was then
Toinette turned to smile Mt .Jeems. In
spite Of the eyes she knew were watch
Ing her. In this same moment her
escort allowed th- package to drop
surreptitiously froni his hand.
This act, inspired by 4 contempt
for the forest boy. and urged by =
meanness Of spirit hidden under 4 dis
play OF wealth and fine Clothes swept
Jeems' thought from Toinette, wh0se
nearness Of person. surprising beauty,
and sweetness OF disposition had al
most made him forget his one reason
for being ut Lussan's sale This weak
ness In the arinor OF his intentions
was sealed when he saw his present
fall to the ground. Tonette became
instantly immaterial In the path Of \
storm OF emotion which caught and
held him fiercely. He saw only one
person wheresthere were two, and that
one was Paul Tache. In 4 brain
white with. heat. and Ia eyes blinded
to the presence OF all living forms ex-
cept that OF the youth who had dark.
ened his mind with bitterness, Toinette
ceased to exist for him, and when he
sprang forward to recover the bundle
1t was not with the thought that he
was rescning II for her, but that II
was to be his reason for glorious war
when the moment was at hand for him
. to huri 1t In his rivals face.
Detaching themselves from the shift,
Ing groups OF which they had been 4
part. Toinette and young Tache
strolled to their horses. knowing tina,
many chances followed their elegant
departure Giving themselves a briel
time In which to be admired, they
sauntered into the gardens hack Of
I.nssan's house.
.lepms Wis only few steps from
Paul and Toinette when they disap
pearcd behind the house. He hello
back with Il feeling.of satisfaction wher
he saw the two going down d patl
which took them out of sight OF an,
curious eyes That might have watched
them. MT until the last fiutter o.
Toinette's skirt was gone did he pro
coed with the business OF following
them, and then. like an Indian. he
slipped noiseessly along the path ant
found them standing, somewhat per
picked. at the edge OF i soggy and III
smelling open space where Lussan hat
built his barn and wherein his cattle
and pigs had gathered for 80 long that
one was sure OF precarious and un
pleasant footing. Toinette, her CHR
tilted. fash Of Indignation In hei
eyes as she held up her skirt, witt
both hands, was ON the point OF lnos
Ing her wrath upon her escort for dar
ing to bring her to such place OF de
element when Jeems stepped out from
rim Of bushes and confronted them
His face was pale. His slim bod,
was as taut as bowstrinR. His eye
were almost black. He did not Sc.
Toinette, scarcely knew that sne way
IN his world. even as her anger gave
place to an exclamation OF surprise
when she saw In his hand the package
which he had given her a few minutes
before. He approached Paul Tache
and that youth, misinterpreting the
slowness OF his movement and the
bloodless pallor OF his face rs signs OF
embarrassment and fear, sought to
cover his disgrace In Toinettee eye1
BY an explosion OF naughty protest n
being followed and spiesl upon In this
way. Jeems made no reply except to
hold out the package. Sight OF II
choked the words In the others throat.
Jeems silence and the way In which
he continued to extend the package
brought deep color into Paul'a face.
He and not Jeems was conscious Of
the amazement In Toinettes counten-
ance and OF the intensity OF her In
terest In the situation. He recovered
himself swiftly and, with 4 guIleful
change OF manner. held out his hand.
Pardon he" he apologized. 1T IL
good Of you to bring the package
which ! accidentally dropped"
Jeems came a step nearer.
You lie!" he cried, and with A
furious movement be hurled the bun
die at Tache's face.