The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-02-26

the bliss of the gallop; he did not
know and did not care where he was
going, or for what purpose. He woke
up painting, and sitting up looked
ting sun. The feeling Of savage JOY
was still in him but as he returned
to reality it leaked out of him drop
by drop and left him empty and limp.
And now wal memories grated
themselves upon his r~ecollectionS OF
home. His warrior stirred in him, OBJ
scurely, making him restless and agi-
tated. The revolver, the instructions
he was given that day and his dream
Somehow taken altogether it meant
war and hostilities to him. At present
he was much less absorbed in nature
than in watching and listening for
an enemy. The simplest manifestations
of the world outside him became sus-
picious to him; sounds and actions he
had not noticed before or had been
accustomed to became full of a hidden
and evil purpose. The mail plane
which flew over the estate at a certain
hour every afternoon, the buzz OF
which he had heard since he had
come to the place, he now felt sure,
was accommodating. He would not
have been at all surprised if the plane
had dropped a bomb or two.
A few days later a woman who had
linen to sell called at the house. Mrs.
Woodhouse said she would see her.
| The Woman came IN a car accom-
panied by q young boy and when she
went into the house he followed her
carrying a pile of boxes. They were
shown into the drawing room where
Efrem saw them arrive and although
| ho iico nrrOvaH If o11Ouino GIRO
into the house he could say nothing
about it. He felt it his duty, however,
to watch proceedings. From the syringa
bushes outside he could observe without
being seen what was going on in the
drawing room which was on the ground
floor. He had many times already
used this post of observation when
he wanted to be sure that the gar
dener did not take anything from the
room after he had arranged the flower
vases.
Mrs. Woodhouse came down; the
saleswoman met her with smiles and
started displaying her merchandise.
The boy had nothing to do. He stood
q little way off with his hands be-
room. Efrem disliked the furtive way
in which the boy ran his eyes over
everything. Then Efrem saw his gaze
rest upon the table beside which he
was standing. There, on a china ash
tray lay one of Mr.. Woodhouse's pipes.
It was a fine pipe and Efrem had
often seen Mr.. Woodhouse smoke it
when he came into the garden. The
boy put out his hand and took the
pipe from the ashtray. He looked at
it. then he looked at the two women
n seeing that they were not pay
ing any attention to him he slipped
the pipe into his pocket.
Efrem's heart gave a great thump.
He could not have told whether the
gesture shocked or elated him. Present.
ly Mrs. Woodhouse made her choice
saleswoman the boy packed the boxes,
took them out and put them into the
car. Efrem then stepped from behind
the syirga bushes and went up to
him.
"You give me pipe" he said to the
boy, who stared at him in speeches.
amazement. "Give me pipe" repeated
Efrem and extended his hand to re-
ceive it.
impressive. Without a word the boy
put his hand into his pocket, brought
out the pipe and handed it to Efrem.
BY the time the saleswoman emerged
from the house the little scene was
over. She noticed nothing. Both got
into the car and drove off.
Efrem, triumph written over his
c~ountenance, went into the drawing
room where Mrs. Woodhouse was still
looking over her purchases. He handed
her the pipe.
Whats that? Oh, Mr.. woodhouse's
pipe, she said indifferently. II sup
pose he dropped it in the garden"
mo, pipe In pocket Of boy"
I'm the pocket of what boy? What
do you mean, Efrem?" asked Mrs,
Woodhouse, surprised.
II see ." Efrem shrugged his
shoulders, and left the room.
|. In the evening Mrs. Woodhouse told
her husband about the incident. They
were both amused about 1t, but neither
covered that the boy had taken the