Show HOSTILE OSTI LE VA VALLEY L L FIM E if by ben ames williams copyright by ben ames will am ams willi bervic service CHAPTER XIII continued 21 ile came down into the valley into view of will ferrin 9 farm the stand of buildings showed no change but the place was not so bare as it had been before the meadow was a tawny green with goldenrod in bloom and the orange and the red blossoms of that rank and pestiferous weed called devils paint brush scattered in gay clusters here and there field fl flowers oviers were everywhere and a lilac clump was green by the corner of the house and as saladine drove into the yard he saw fresh turned earth where other flower beds had been since his last visit here prepared salad ne turned into the farmyard and stopped the car and a man at work with an ax in the shed ceased his labors and came to the door but this was not zeke dace I 1 here was will he ile recognized saladine and dropped the ax and came swiftly out into the sun his ills smile was broad and there was welcome in his eye saladine looked at this tall blond giant with hair like flax and steady eyes of a deep blue like the sky at dusk and he slipped to the ground and their hands clasped hard come fishing again did you will asked with a chuckle I 1 don t see no rod rodl no just come to pass the time ot of day saladine told him how are you will yo re looking fine I 1 1 I am said will I 1 am full fine I 1 then his eyes swung to one side toward the house and saladine saw jenny in the kitchen door she had a plate and a dish towel in her hands and contentment in her countenance and as they went toward her she smiled and put the plate and towel down and came swiftly to meet them so these three stayed there tether ether on the sunned step of the porch for a while saladine asked after marm pierce and jenny a eye twinkled and will said she ashes a busy breaking win to bridle now I 1 1 I thought she got too much satis faction out of her row with him ever to make it up saladine suggested amused it was jenny who explained her eyes gentle she just did it so sos a I 1 could marry will and not have to worry about her she confessed she t hear to moving up here lowed if she was pulled up by the roots shed just wither and die and she said new married foil foll s had ought to be by till they get broke to double harness anyway but I 1 t bear to think of her living there alone so she sent for uncle win and talked him into coming back there to live and now she a having as much fin out of making him do her bid ling fri as she did before out of fighting with him I 1 I 1 hear he hes s quit drinking sola sila line suggested su et eted lill nil and lenny jenny n I 1 led h aa I 1 ng softly too SI e pit p it romett I 1 int his rim r im I 1 e ii n 1 1 it i ie le h n terr I 1 ie lk sick in I 1 I 1 P let on t t le f e I 1 k bet lip 1 h in 11 lq 1 s p 1 1 ill i 1 ci et e she i ii it i pretty old but be h can do the chore chores and she be can manage the hou housework its it s better for them to be together so I 1 and she confessed her cheek check bright of course I 1 im m still down there the most of the time I 1 just come up here to do wills will a dishes and sweep around and cook cool him up some victuals every d day ay saladine Salad lne asked smiling what does marm pierce think about you and will waiting so long jennys tones were mirthful gran ny thinks were foolish 1 she asserted she caysi there a a time to wait mid and 9 4 time to go ahead but will ana me we have to do the deciding her eyes were so quick to cling tc t will wills s tenderly and will said grave ly we didn dian t want to pur put no slight on huldy by hurrying and jenny and me we re young 0 we don t have to hurry now weve good time but we were re most through waiting jenny added its it s not long now when saladine Salad lne presently moved te to depart will urged that he stay and try for a trout in the big pools in the bog A day like this yore yo re apt to get hold of an old bouncer down there he promised might be worth you your while I 1 1 but Salad saladine lne shook his head the valley lay jay beautiful and tempting with a welcome and a promise tn in its aspect today the skies were clear clea r and gay and the wind was fine but he had too many dark memories the time would come when be he could fish careys carels brook with full zest and happily but that time was not yet here I 1 cant ran t not today he said but stop and see marm alarm pierce I 1 jenny shook her head granny a 8 not to home she said she and uncle win went to the village III come next spring then he be promised 01 1 I left my rod down there last time I 1 was here have to come and get that and try the brook again she shea s kept the rod safe tor for yon you jenny told him and will urged ho hospitably 3 you do I 1 come and stay with us jenny and me we can put you up right here long as yore a mind I 1 I 1 so saladine Salad lne left messages for old marna marm pierce and at last bade them good by when be he drove away they stood together shoulders almost touch ing to watch him go he ile turned up the road toward the ridge again and looked back and saw their hands lift in a gesture of farewell then they swung side by side toward the house that was to be their home the farm was far below him and beyond it at lay the sweep and loveliness of hostile valley it was not easy on such a day as this to understand how bow the place had bad come by its harsh ancient name IN when hen on that night in june now months past saladine Salad lne de parted after his first coming here be b had bad gone at full speed like one pui sued but today he drove slowly reluctant to leave the pleasant scene and these friendly folk behind END I 1 |