The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-02-29

come, and vanished down an al
most invisible trail.
Virginia listened also, with
shining eyes.
A little later, when Birthstone
had scrambled up the last grade,
Lee saw her beside the black
horse, her face turned toward
him and one hand ,stroking
Black Lightning's satiny neck.
Ling told me that you had
started up this way. I heard that
Bradish was coming today, and
I wanted to see you before you
did anything about selling the
Circle V. want" he continued,
ito make a final proposition to
you. I want you to let me take
full charge for year, without
pay and without any obligation
for you to stay here"
"You would be willing" she
asked slowly, Ito give a whole
year out of your life for this?
Perhaps for nothing?"
''It would be the best year I'd
ever spent, Virginia. This is more
than just land and cattle to me.
It's a cause, it's a fight, it's Mats
memory and your inheritance.
Bradish is too anxious to get this
place; there's something back of
it, and the man who turned a
sharp corner on old Don Luis
wouldn't hesitate to turn one on
you. Give me that year, Virgil
MIA"
Don't! can't stand it," She
turned her face away from him,
and he heard shorp, indrawn
breath.
"It's too late" She hurried on
desperately. Il want to, Lee; I
wish I could, but I can't. IL
signed the deed this morning"
For the space of about ten Sec
onds he stared at her. Then he
turned abruptly and walked a
few steps away toward the grey
rim rock which looked down on
the Circle V. Bradish's Circle V
now. Virginia watched him mis-
erably. She found herself ex-
planning in a dead, monotonous
voice.
II went down to meet Mr.. Bra
dish. He came to see Stanley, but
he knew I was ready to sell and
he had telegraphed ahead for Mr..
Morse to have the deed ready.
We went direct from the station
to Mr.. Morse's office. And when
it was DONE" she continued dull
ly, Il was sorry. The thought of
leaving the Circle V to strangers
and never coming back-tore
me mot little shreds. And SO ]
came up here"
He swung around and came
back to her.
''But if you felt that way, why
did you do it? Was it money, or
something else? I've got to know
Virginia."
Hot color came. It was not easy
but she looked straight at him
and made her honest confession
81 was angry. I believed things
about you that weren't true.
think I wanted to hurt YOU"
He looked juzzled. 'That shoot.
ing business?"
mo yes, that was part oil
it. But I mean the girl-that
pretty child. She was just here
Lee. She told me-"
ooh Josefa." LIE was fait-
ly embarrassed. "She's just {
kid" he said alphabetically. Their
he drew a long breath and came
step nearer.
| "And now, Virginia."
ooh, Lee, don't you know-by
this timer"
A little later she raised he head
from a flannel shirted shoulder
They smiled at each other.
Il love you," he declared, "a
million times more every min
ute"
He stopped short at the strick-
en look on her face.
ooh, don't be nice to me-" She
buried her face in his shoulder
with a smothered wall. Il hate
myself! To think that I've sold
it-when you love it So"
''Is that the trouble?" He put a
hand under her chin, and for a
moment studied her Swallowed
eyes. ''It looks" he said thought
fully, ''as if we'd better GET it
back again. Let's get down to
cases. Was it a cash transaction?
Did he give you a check?"
She nodded, looking perplexed.
eyes. But Lee"
did you deposit it,"
mo. Somehow I couldn't"
"Good!" He laughed under his
breath. "Don't worry, honey.
We're going down right now to