The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-03-18

snapped ana Cracked HenaCllS1y
overhead or crashed to the ground
about them, the refugees emerged
from the forest and could see that
Denison's ranch buildings had escap-
ed the flames.
The instant they reached the
ranch house, Denison ran to the
well, filled the water bucket, and
carried it to Jane. Sitting on the
ground, bareheaded, they slaked
their thirst out of the dipper to-
gether.
Denison turned to the corral. Jane,
who had gone into the house, had
got the fire going and was slicing
bacon when she heard the clatter of
hoofs outside, and angry voices.
where's my daughter, you damn
I'D scoundrel?" were the first words
She made out. The sound of the
voice that uttered them sent her
running, the knife still in her hand,
to the door. Amazed to dumbneSs,
she saw her father and McCrossen
in the saddle, facing Denison, who
stood at the gate of his corral.
evan Tambel," Denison spoke
carefully, you're too old man for
me to quarrel with. Just remember
you're on my property and keep a
civil tongue in your head"
81 don't want no truck with you,
Denison," shouted Van Tambel, rag
ing. where's my girl?"
McCrossen had reined about and
was starting for the house. Swing
back here, McCrossen," Denison sang
out sharply. stop right where you
49, ~ %<
Inspection"
81 don't give damn for your
cabin. There's Jane" the foreman
shouted, standing in the doorway"
Jane ran across the yard to the
angry men. "Father!" she cried.
What in the world are you doing
here? What brought you from the
hospital?"
Her fathers deep-set, piggy eyes
flashed his fury on her. "You wench!
Living with this man, are your"
"F'ather!" Outraged womanhood
never spoke the word more singing
] ly. SIS it possible you insult me so
vilely before you have heard sing
lie word?" she said What have to
I 10 with you grudges and quarrels?"
Rigid and erect, storming within
. and striking with white-hot words
: at her parents base intimation, Jane
silenced the men about her by her
outraged dignity. -
y what shameful words have you
, heard-and from whom"-she bare
Z Nv indivated her fathers companion
!. by lightning flash of her eye
Z chat put such vile thoughts into
d you head?" She waited for no an
|! swer. 81 rode to the peak of Gunlock
4 Knob to see how the fire was head
ing-it has threatened Gunlock
\ Ranch for two days. When tried to
ride down this afternoon, the fire cut
me off. I should have been burned
/ to death where I stood on the peak
if Bill Denison hadn't ridden up
Il through another fire to save me.
l And now after fighting our way for
Y hours through smoke and flame, ne
brings me down by the only possible
II way, to hear me foully lnsulted by
h my own father. This is too much!
h Look here, janet" beloved her
father in retreat. "You come out
here for your health, didn't your
81 didn't come out here to be
I grossly insulted," she retorted.
'Where'S your pony!
Heavens knows where it is, or
where Bill Denison's is. hope they
are not burned up"
well, come along home. McCros-
sen will lend you his horse"
Ia "He needn't will walk home just
u soon as have cooked some bacon
A Bill Denison."
Come along now"
did you hear me? I'll come
horne"-each word was defiantly
mphasized-"when I have made
coffee and cooked bacon for Bill
Denison. When you get home, be
kind enough to ask Bull Page to
saddle a horse for me and bring it
over" With this, Jane walked swift
" back to the cabin. Van Tambel, In
a muttering rage, followed by Nc
. Crossen, started home.
A slender supper was at length
i got together Then Jane made Denl-
son lie back in chair and submit to
cold comprises on his eyes.
Waiting for Bull Page proved no
hardship, but when the hands OF
NDenison's little alarm clock pointed
n to midnight it daWned on Jane that
her request had been ignored and
that her father or McCrossen had
meant she should walk home or
compromise herself by staying all
night at Denison's.
She boiled bit inside when she
realized the situation, but prepared
to walk. To this Denison would not
listen. He got up two ponies-he had
but one extra saddle-and, despite
her objections and protests, insisted
% riding home with her.
IT needed no announcer IN the
morning to tell Jane that her father
lad come home. She lay, exhausted
md with every bone in her BODY
ching. beyond her usual rising time.
e,t there was an unusual scurrying
khout outside her room. Quong, old
and wrinkled, was the only man OF
T.a household not in the least per-