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Show THE TIMES-NEW- NEPHI, UTAH S, VIOLA GWYN laoffenstve door when Striker came blustering Into the room. "Where are the women?" ha demanded, stopping short. A Jerk of the thumb waa his an-- ' swer. "Gone to bed?" "I believe so," replied Cwynne care By fireplace, a shy, abashed smile playing woman, but she broke down In health. lessly, as he sat down in the despised He was not slow to remark their He came and jot me and took me rocker and stretched his long legs her Hps. failure to present him to her. The WHO IS SHE? Barr McCutcheon about "May I not stand up for a little home. I was a big girl for my age out to the fire. "I fancy we are safe. emission may have been due to igno- George as big as I am now and strong. I to smoke now, Striker. rance or uncertainty on their part, but Copyrtsht by Dedd, Mead Company, I no. while?" she pleaded, with mock We have the SYNOPSIS. Kenneth Gwynne "I do so want to grow did all the work about the house parlor all to ourselves. The ladles ttve years old In the spring that was not the construction he put until my mother was well again. He have deserted us." talL" of 1811 when hie father ran away upon It. It was deliberate. from Kentucky with Rachel Car"To that I can offer no objection," never gave me a word of appreciaHis slight feeling of embarrassment. Ively. "She was to school In St Louis Striker took the tobacco pouch a widow. took with ter, They he returned; "although in my humble tion or one of encouragement and perhaps annoyance,, evidently was fer two or three years an' " from the peg on the mantel and hand- them Mlnda Carter, Rachel' baby The young lady Interrupted the opinion you' would do yourself a very "He was never unwind, he never ed It to bis guest. not shared by the young lady; ao far daughter. In the tall Kenneth's mother died of a broken heart. grave Injustice If you added so much found fault with me, he never In all as she was concerned the situation speaker coldly. "Please, Eliza 1" "Kill up," he said shortly, and then His grandparents brought him up Eliza, looking considerably, crest as the eighth of an Inch to your pres- his life scolded or switched me when walked over to the bedroom door. He was by no means strained. She was to hate the name of Rachel CarI was bad. Then, one day It was as calm and serene and Impervious as fallen, accepted the rebuke meekly. ent height." rapped- - timorously on one of the thick ter, "an evil woman." I Jest thought he'd be Interested." I feel quite small beside you, sir," three years ago he told me to get boards. a princess royal. Kenneth, now a young; lawyer, "Want me fer anything?" ha she said, taking her stand at the op- ready to go down to St. Louis to seeks lodging for the night at He was subtly aware of the lively she murmured. Inquired softly, as his wife opened the farm of Phineas Striker, near which end from She of the came when a was hearth, school. posite He put me In charge of but carefully guarded Interest she up the Wabash the door an inch or two. Lafayette. Ind. "No. Go to bed when you're ready taking in him. He felt rather than she was nothin but a strlplln', be- position she looked up Into his admir trader and his wife who were going down the river by perogue. He gave an don t ferget to smother that Ore. gan Striker, not profiting by his wife's ing eyes. knew that she was studying him close 'How old are you?" she asked. them money to Good night, Phineas," called out ly. If furtively, when his face was experience. He might have gone on CHAPTER I Continued. buy suitable clothes turned toward the talkative host. at considerable length If he had not abruptly. . Again she was serious, un- for me a large sum of money, it another voice merrily. 2 He smiling. must have been and he provided me Good night," responded Striker, Striker grinned. "I guess everybody Twice he caught her in the act of met the reproving, violet eye. "Twenty-five,- " he replied, looking with some for my own personal use. with a dubious shake of his head. He In this neck o' the woods has heerd averting her gaze when he suddenly changed the subject hastily. "Well, down Into her I dark. eyes Inquiring guess we're about as full as It's safe "I stayed there until I was called returned to the fireplace. about you : a lot of the folks up In glanced In her direction, and once" he in his with " like eagerness something Women are funny things," said he. home his death. I expected to retown have been lookln' down the surprised her In a very intense scru- to be, so now's your chance, own. He was saying over ana over turn toby refused but mother up another .chair. Then he school, Crawfordsvllle road fer you ever since tiny which, he was gratified to ob my dragging He pushed back his stool noisily again to himself that never had he to let me go back. That was last set forth his views at great length. serve, gave way to a swift flush of your father died last August." seen so lovely as, she. "I am fall. She Is still In the deepest "I see," said the other reflectively. confusion and the hasty lowering of and arose. Taking up the two candle- six anyone Throughout the dissertation Gwynne years older than you. somehow. sticks, he led the way to the sitting had sat with his moody gaze fixed "Were you acquainted with my father, her eyes. am I Rather feel that younger. He noticed her hands. They were room, stopping at the door for a word Mr. Striker?" upon the flaring logs, which Striker is it not?" had kicked Into renewed life with the "Much so as anybody could be. He long and slim and. while browned by of instruction to the negro. "You c'n odd,Six Into years," she mused, looking your blankets down here on the heel of one of his ponderous boots. wasn't much of a hand fer makln' exposure to wind and sun, bore no evi put oldthe fire. "Sometimes I feel much friends. I was Jest wonderin' whether dence of the grinding toll .to which kitchen floor when you're ready to go er than disdaining the stout charred poker to bed." nineteen," she went on, shak that leaned against the chimney wall. you was plannln' to live on the farm the women and girls of the frontier remember as If "I her head ing puzzled. Zachariah will wash the dishes and were subjected. And they were strong, He was pulling dreamily at the corn er up in town." to be very 'large tlmt " began Kenneth, cob pipe. His thoughts were of the addressing Mrs. for I was supposed "Well, you see, I am a lawyer by competent hands, at that. I when a was little girl. my age The food was coarse, substantial, Striker who was already preparing to perplexing girl who eagerly gave him profession. I know little or nothing But." she continued, shrugging her her confidence in one moment and about farming. My plans are not ac- plentiful. Solid food for sturdy peo- cleanse and dry her pots and pans. pretty shoulders, "that was ages ago." shrank into the iciest reticence the tually made, however. A great deal ple. There were potatoes fried in She Interrupted him. He nearer leaned drew a and step next. Her unreserved revelations con He won't do nothin' of the kind. an elbow on depends on how I find things. Tou grease, wide strips of side meat, apple the mantel. butter, corn cakes piping hot, boiled I don't let nobody wash my dishes know the farm, Mr. Striker?" cerning her own father, uttered with You say you knew my father," he but myself. Set down here, Zachall the frankness of an Intimate, and "Yes. It's not far from here five turnips, coffee and dried apple pie. was like?" "What he haltingly. the childish Ingenuousness with which Striker ate largely with his knife, ariah, an' help yourself. When you're said, or six mile, I'd say, to the north an' She raised her quickly and for she accounted for her raiment, foleast. Takes in some of the finest land and smacked his lips resoundingly ; done, you c'n go out an' carry me. In an instant studiedeyes, his face curiously, lowed so closely, so abruptly by the J on the Wea plain mostly clear, some swigged coffee from his saucer through a couple of buckets b' water from as If searching for something that bafmost Insolent display of bad manners fine timber, plenty of water, an' about an overlapping mustache and after- the well an, that's all you can do." fled her understanding. he had ever known, gave him ample 'I guess I'll go out an' take a look the best stocked farm anywheres wards hissingly strained the aforesaid "He was very tall," she said In a excuse for reflection. He was debat around. Tour father was one of the obstruction with his nether lips; talked around the barn an' pens," said Phin low voice. "As tall as you are." first to edge up this way ten er twelve and laughed with his mouth, full but eas, depositing the candles on the ing within himself the advisability of "I have only a dim recollection of asking his host a few direct and point- year ago, an' he got the pick o' the all with such magnificent zest that mantelpiece. suld. "You see, I made my he him," ed questions. A fine regard for Strikhis guests overlooked the shocking ex new land. I bought this sixty-acr- e He took up the lantern and lighted home with my grandparents after I er's position deterred him. piece offen him two year ago. 'Course, hibition. Indeed, the girl seemed quite the tallow wick from one of the- can- was five years old. Did you know ha ' This is admirable tobacco, there's a small mortgage on the place, accustomed to Mr. Striker's table hab- dles. Then he fished a corncob pipe him well?" or "Do cure but I c'n take keer of that, I reckon." its, a circumstance which created In from his coattail pocket and stuffed It said. you yourself no as If she heard, she gave sign "Ahem I The mortgage, I fancy. Is Kenneth's questing mind the convic- It full of tobacco from a small buck- the turned away does it come up the river from KenThis time again. held by er the other heirs to his tion that she was not new to these skin bag hanging at the end of the she walked over to the cabin door, tucky?" "Comes from Kentucky. We don't parts, despite the garments and airs mantel. property." which she opened wide, letting In a the fastidious of East. "You're right. His widder holds It. have much luck tryln' to raise ter-"He'p yourself to tobaccer If you rush of chill, damp air. He felt his but she ain't the kind to press me." baccer in these parts." They were vastly Interested In the keer to smoke. There's a couple o' choler rise. It was a deliberate. In"Come to supper," called out Mrs. account of his Journey through the fresh pipes up there jest made 'em tentional act on her Whereupon Mr. Striker went Into She depart a long and intelligent lecture upon Striker from the doorway. wilderness, which the young man yesterday an' It ain't ag'lnst the law sired to terminate the conversation "Just a moment, If you please," said described vividly. For a time Kenneth to smoke in the house on rainy nights, and took this rude. Insolent means of "Sometimes I Feel Much Older Than the products of the, soil In that sec the young man, laying his hand on the had been watching the face of the girl Many's the time I've sot on the door- doing so. Never had he been so flation of Indiana. tylneteen." "Whenever you feel like goln' ta . settler's arm. "You will do roe a great opposite. She was looking down at step here enjoyin' a smoke with the grantly insulted and for what reafavor if you refrain from discussing her plate. He observed a little frown rain comin' down so hard it'd wash son? He had been courteous, defer- mourning, and I believe will never bed, jist say so," he said at last these matters In the presence of your on her brow. When she raised her the tobaccer right out o' the pipe, an' ential, friendly. What right ad she dress otherwise. I have said all there "I have been doing a little surrais- other guest tonight My father, as" eyes to meet his, he saw that they were twice er maybe it was three times It this Insufferable peacock to con- Is to say about my father. I did not Icg, Mr. Striker," said the other. "1 you doubtless know, meant very little sullen, almost unpleasantly so. She biled over an' WThat's that you say?" sider herself his superior? He had love him, I was not grieved when he am wondering where you and I are to In my life. I prefer not to discuss him did not turn away Instantly, but con "I did not say anything, Phlneas," It !n his heart to go over and shake passed away. It was almost as If a dispose ourselves." ' In the presence of strangers especial tinued to regard him with a rather said the girl, shaking her head mourn her soundly. It would be a relief to stranger had died. "I reckon I'll have to make up a ly curious-minde- d She paused. He took occasion to bed here In front of the fireplace fer young women." "1 am wondering, disconcerting Intensity. Suddenly she fully. though, see her break down and whimper. It Phineas looked at him narrowly for smiled. The cloud vanished from her where you will go when you die." "He must myself, an let you go nip to the atwould teach her not to be rude to remark, sympathetically: an instant, a queer expression lurking brow, her eyes sparkled. He was betic. We got have been a strange man.' gentlemen c'n "Where 'thout I runnln smoke In his eyes. wildered. There was no mistaking the "I was afraid of this, Mr. Striker. I have head and turned She He "I her she said. hope up was," glanced o' takin' cold, more'n likely," You "Jest as you say, Mr. Gwynne. Not unfriendliness that had lurked In her the risk Phineas, are putting yourselves out ter kind a him of over at her shoulder. He what understand made you caught winking at the young a word In front of strangers." eyes the Instant before. But In heav replied man. Then he went ont Into the a 'strained, appealing gleam In her man he was, and what kind of a fa ribly on my account I can't allow It, "Bring In them two candlesticks, en's name, what reason had she for windy night, closing the door behind eyes. ther he was to me. Now, 1 m com sir. It is too much to Phin," ordered Mrs. Striker. "We got disliking him? "Please forgive me If I was rude," ing to the point. This finery you see "Now, don't you worry about us. him. As he turned to Striker, he caught to be able to see what each other looks she said, quite humbly. me in now was purchased without my You ain't puttln' us out at all. There's like, an' goodness knows we caln't that worthy gazing at him with a He melted a rule. He no longer mother's knowledge or consent with a spare tick up In the attic what wa CHAPTER II with this taller dip I got out here to fixed, inquisitive stare. He began to desired to shake her. "I feared I had money of my own. The box was de- use fer strangers when they happen eook by. Taln't often we have people feel annoyed and uncomfortable. It in some way offended you," he said. livered to Phineas Striker day before along, an' Zachariah has put your Viola Gwyn. to sup- was not the first time he had sur I came blankets right here by the door an right out o the fashion-plate- s over the settler's whimsi She shook her head and was silent yesterday up In Lafayette. Smiling per, so let's have all the light we kin." prised a similar scrutiny on the part cal humor, Gwynne turned to his com for a moment or two, staring thought here to spend the night, in order that your pistols, too, I see so whenever Kenneth's fellow-gues- t was standing of one or the other of the Strikers, a responsive fully at the flames. A faint sigh es- I might try them on. I live in town. you're ready, I'll lead the way up the panion, anticipating near the stove, her back toward him, The young man decided It was time smile. Instead he was rewarded by caped her, and then she faced him with my mother. She left the farm ladder an' show you where you're to as he entered the kitchen. to speak. "By the way you all look an expression of acute dismay in her resolutely, frankly. after my father's death. She adored roost The table was set for four, in the at me, Mr. Striker, I am led to suspect dark eyes. She met his gaze for a You have succeeded fairly well In him. She could not bear to live out They stepped outside the cabin. In middle of the little kitchen; rude hand- that you do not believe I am all I rep fleeting Instant and then, turning concealing your astonishment at see there on the lonely but that Is of no to the fresh, brisk gale that was blowmade stools, without backs, were In resent myself to be. If you have any away, walked rapidly over to the lit ing me here In this but dressed as I Interest to you. A few weeks ago I ing. Striker pointed off Into the night. place. A figured red cloth covered the doubts, pray do not hesitate to ex tle window, where she peered out Into am," she said, somewhat hurriedly. asked her If I might not take oft the Lafayette's off in yan direction. There's a big stretch of open prairie board, its fringe of green hanging down press them." the darkness. He waited for a few You have been greatly nuzzled. I black. She refused at first, but final over the edges. The plates, saucers Striker was boisterously reassuring. moments for her to recover the com- - am about to confess something to ly consented. So I wrote to the worn in between, once you git out'n these and coffee cups were thick and clumsy. "I don't doubt you for a second, Mr. you. You will see me again often- an who used to make my dresses In woods, an' further on there's more There were Gwynne. As I said before, the whole perhaps If you remain long In this St Louis my father was not stingy timber. The town's down In a sort forks and pewter county has been expectln you to turn buge four-tinecountry. It la my wish that you with me, so I always had pretty of valley, ahaped somethln' ilka a poons. should cot know who I am tonight. frocks and now they have come. My saucer, with hills on all sides an' the up. We heerd a few days back that "Come In and set down, Mr. Gwynne," you was In Crawfordsvllle. If me an' river cuttln' straight through the midYou will gain nothing by asking ques mother does not know about them, said Mrs. Striker, pointing to a stool. Eliza seem to act queer It's because tions, either of me or of the Strikers. She will be shocked when I tell I dle. Considerable bulldln' goln' on You will know in the near future, so have them, but she will not be angry. this spring. But you'll see all this "I can't help thanking my lucky we knowed your father an' an', well. let that be sufficient I can at least She loves me. Is your curiosity satis- - fer yourself when you git there." tars. Mrs. Striker, that I got here I can't help notlcln' how much you account for my Incomprehensible cos-- , fled? It will have to be, for this la It was a few minutes past nine ahead of the storm," said he, moving look like him. We don't mean no dis tume. That much you shall have. If all I care to divulge at present' when Kenneth followed his host op over to his appointed place, wheije he respect, an' I hope you'll overlook our no more. This frock Is a new one. remained standing. "We were Just In nnteral curiosity." He smiled down Into tier earnest the ladder and through the trapdoor . time, too. Ten minutes later and we It has Just come up the river from eyes. "My curiosity is appeasea." ne Into the stuffy attle. Kenneth was relieved. The furtive would have been in the thick of It. I looks were explained. st lxmis. I have never had It on said. "I should not have slept to "I'll leave the ladder here," said' I am glad to hear that you do aot until today. Another one, equally as night If you had not explained thl cannot tell you how much I appreciate Striker, depositing the candlestick oa look upon me as an outlaw or startling, lies to that bedroom over tantalizing your kindness." Therefore, I the. floor. "So's I c'n stick my bead mystery. "Lord bless you," cried Striker, there, and beside It on the bed Is the thank you. May I have your permis In here In the morn In' an' rouse you "Oh, It's It's nothing," said she, difdress I came here In this afternoon. sion to say that you are very lovely up. There's your straw-ticover yan-de- r, "there ain't nobody as would take you fidently. "Set down, everybody." It Is a plain black dress, and there In your new frock and that you are The young lady sat opposite Gwynne. fer an outlaw. You ain't cut out fer a an' I'll fotcn your blankets up la a veil and a hideous black bonnet marvelously becoming to It?" She lowered her head Immediately as renegade. We know em the minute in a minute or two. 1 reckon you'll to go with it" I'htneas began to offer up his estab we lay eyes on 'em. If you turn out "Walt till you aee me In my black have to crawl on your hands an' "You you have lost I mean, you dress and bonnet and mittens," she knees; tbla attic wasn't built fer full-siz- e lished form of grace. to be a scalawag, I'll never trust my are in mourning for some one?" he challenged. The two colonial candlesticks stood eyes agin." men." exclaimed. The thought rushed Into in the center of the table, a foot or two "I will be all right" hla guest asThe young man laughed, "in any Eliza appeared In the doorway. She his mind: Was she a widow? This was rolling .down her sleeves, sured him. part. When Gwynne lifted his head case, you are very good to have taken radiantly beautiful girl a widow? The clapboard roof was a scant after "grace," he looked directly be- me In for the night, and I shall not "How are you two gettln' along?" "iror my rather, she stated suc- she Inquired, looking from one to the three feet above the dusty floor of For a few forget your trust or your hospitality." tween them at his aeconds he stared as If spellbound. the attic. Stooping, the ywJng maa cinctly. "He died almost a year ago. other keenly. He turned abruptly to the glrL "Did near the I waa in school at St Louis when It Never had he looked upon a face so you know my father, too?" made his way to the bed-tic- k before her The girl spoke quickly, beautiful, never had he seen any one happened. I bad not seen him for companion could reply. "We have had little window. He did not sniff with She started violently and for the mo lovely as this strange young woman two years. My mother sent for me to a most He moment was speechless, a curious ex agreeable chat, Eliza. Are scorn at his humbleandsurroundings. home. CWB Since that time I have who shared with him the hospitality of pression In her eyes. far and he bad had traveled long In the kitchen? If you through you worn DCtblr-the humble board. He had gazed for eit black plain, hor are, would you mind coming Into the slept In worse places than this. He "Yes," she said, at last, Strikrible black. Do not misjudge me, a moment full Into her deep, violet straight at him : "Yea, I knewlooking bedroom with me? I want you to see waa drawing off his boots when shonl-deryour "I Am s er again stuck his head and eyes eyes In which there was no smile, father very well." Wondering. Though, Where You am not vain, nor am I as heartless as the other dress on me. GooC night' be thinking. I had and still laid and You Oo Will you Die." When the may but rather a cool Intentness not far reopening through to uwynne. "wo uouht we "Then, you must have lived In these have the greatest renpect for my fa she said moved from unfriendliness and In his roll of blankets on the floor. longer than I have suspected,' so Inexplicably tost and then tlier. He was a good man, a fine man. shall meet again." , posiire that moment he forgot himself, his parts The trapdoor was slowly lowered "Am I was I should have said you dumbfounded. he. not He said spoke not without a trace of cold- But In all the years of my life he manners and his composure. Into place as the shaggy head and in new the see were a newcomer." dress?" he you ness In his voice. never spoke a loving word to me, he to The soft light fell upon warm, shoulders of the settler disbroad Mrs. Striker made a great clatter disappointed. "Surely "Pray have this chair. You need never caressed me, he never kissed cried,arevisibly etnooth cheeks; a broad, white brow; of The young man heard the appeared. not going to deny me the Joy pans and skillets at the stove. The not be afraid to be left alone with me. roe. He was kindness Itself, but he you of the ladder as it wss bered, sensitive lips and a perfect mouth j I scraping of you until this beholding sub noise watted kindly I am a most Inoffensive person." girl never looked at me with love in his round firm chin; a delicate nose ing removed to a place against the She Interrupted him almost cavaShe faced him, her chin raised, a eye. and the faint shadows of Imperishable sided. save some of your wall. up "I have lived In this flash of Indignation In her eyes. "As I grew older I began to think lierly. "Pray dimples that even her unsmiling ex the I when was against she me. of am "I old," day since said. compliments not a That afraid said Is years hsted he she terrible eight you," that pression fnlled to disturb. haughtily. "Why should you presume thing to ssy and you must think It you behold me In my somber black Not even In his dreams had he con- quietly. "That olrl was Viola Gwyn for I shall need them then. Again, Striker hastened to add: "Some-thito make such a remark to me?" vile of me to say It to you, a stranger. " an' she's your jured up a face so bewllderlngly beau or 'leven years 'leven, "I beg your pardon," he said, bow But I have said It, and I would not good night. like ten tlful. ' "Good night," he returned, bowing Ing. "I am sorry If I have offended take It back. When I mas thirteen Who was she? What was she doing I reckon, ain't It?" No doubt In my stupidity, 1 years old he hired me ottf as a serv"Eleven years," she replied. stiffly and In high dudgeon. you. here In the humble cot of the Strikers? (TO BB CONTINUE-In hurrying past, had snatched was secretly astonished and have been misled by your manner, snt In a fanner's family and I worked Eliza, Gwynne was here, of out she place Ortslnly Just So. would have tak It was one of the candlesticks from the manNow, will you sit down and be there nntll 1 was fourteen. That she wss h person of consequence, rather skeptical. He e Jud Tunklns nays that a man who at In this neighborhood. I worked tel, and now stood holding the bed- friendly to whem the Strikers paid a rude sort en oath Uiat she was His smile was so engaging, his bu for tny board and keep, a thing I could room door open for the queenly young 'loses a hundred thousand dollars oa years old, and not nineteen as if deference, softened y the familiar made her. rutllty so genuine, that her manner not understand and bitterly resented, personage. A moment later (he door a horse race generally laa't as honest- -' Ity of long association but in no way computation underwent a awlft and agreeable because he wa prosperous. Then my closed behind them. "She ain't lived here all the time,' unlucky as the one wa auggestlve of relationship, he was la vetustteered Eliza, somewhat defens- - change. She advanced slowly Im tne mother fell UL Bbe was a strong Gwynne waa still scowling at the ' couldn't afford t bet bat twav aaaaer at doubt Zach-ariah.- ' - 1 a" ask' black-handle- d case-knive- s, d - k vta-a-vl- n' half-sister.- ! twenty-two-or-thre- r |
