The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-02-08
H6NES LOUISE PROVO ST

l
What's up?"
| "Notheeng up. I come to see
YOU. You not come to see me no
more, you bad one!"
| Eyes of limpid midnight rolled
reproachfully at him; a lip OF
poppy scarlet pouted. A flicker
of amusement came into his eyes.
give been away" he explained
politely. "Does that make it all
iright?"
"You not tell me you going
away" She reproached: "You not
come for so long I theenk you
seek, l theenk you hurt, I theenk
you mad at me. That make me
/ sad. Anyways I come. You glad to
see me, Lee?"
"Sure am" He bowed ex-
travagantly. "Senorita, my I'M
worthy home is at your service" "
"And, that is better! Now sit
here by me-"
There was low, flat boulder
little to one side of the clear
ing in front of the cabin. Josefa
went lightly toward it and indl-
Gated the place she had chosen
for him. He crossed over and took
it, and she settled beside him
with little nesting movement.
Lee looked down at her, still
amused, but thoughtful also.
Josefa sighed. 81 like bein'
weeth you, Lee"
| Amusement was gone now, and
a certain grimness came. He was
tired and gloomy; it would be
easy tonight to forget a big
brotherly liking and make a lit
tie harmless love to Josefa {.
Too easy.
He moved slightly. "That's
good, Josefa We're old friends.
But see here"
ooh, now you talk wise, like OF
woman. I not let you talk. 1
come all thees way to see you,
an we must be gay, joyful!
Come, l dance for you, frozen
one! You never see me dance,
hey? I show you sometheeng."
Haunting, beguiling, she danced
away from him to the open space
beyond. Smooth rock was Josefa's
dancing floor, the hills her am
phitheatre, one silently watching
man her audience.
The dark face watched her
broodingly. He was stirred, think
ing modify of another woman.
Of Virginia, shining and aloof.
Josefa's eyes had scarcely left
his face. Once they drifted swift
ly beyond him, but he did not
see.
"NoW you catch me, Lee!"
| With a final Whirl she flung
herself backwards, throwing her
1.-THE young body out of balance.
'You reckless little DEVIL"
He swung out an arm and
caught her, only to find the whole
weight of her body against him,
her arms slipping around his
neck like golden snakes, her
hands caressing his face, his
hair.
81 make you love me! I make
you! You shall not treat me like
those child any more!"
"Why Josefa -" he hesitated,
touched and uncomfortable. "See
here, kid -"
| He stopped. Josefa had looked
fleetingly beyond him again, a
| furtive glance over his shoulder,
and this time he caught it. He
| jerked his head around quickly.
| Over the ridge which marked
the trail to the Circle V were two
| figures on horseback. One of
them was Stanley Bradish. The
other was Virginia.
| Virginia's profile, even from
this distance, was chiseled in ice.
Young Bradish was saying some
thing to her, laughing in his ir-
ritating way.
| Lee watched them go. The flat
shock of what this ridiculous
scene meant for him. Jared him
like a blow. Anger ran through
him; his face stilled and harden
ed.
, Josefa, frozen quiet by that
look, was as watchful as a little
scared animal. He reached up de-
liberately and drew her arms
down.
''Sit down." he said briefly. 81
want to talk to you"
"Now you going to scold me-
she pouted. II not do notheeng
JUS dance for you. Jus"
Josefa, you saw those people
coming"
"Ah, you are slammed of me-
She famed into tigerish rage
'You are 'shamed to have the
reech girl see you weeth me-see
you hold me in your arms. I hate