some time he would take her unawares and detect scornful pity in her eyes. He was sure she could not respect a man who

her eyes he was a hero. For her sake he had foug

won't fight him again, will you?" A lump rose in his throat. He felt that sh

again, will you?" s

e said humbly. "I thought I co

d!" she cried. He looked into her eyes, fearing t

'll be man enough some day. He's too much for me now. He'd have killed me if it hadn't been

victory. On the other hand, 'Gene's face was a mass of cuts and bruises. It was hard for them to believe, but the farmers soon found themselves saying that Jud She

He cain't go 'roun' here talkin' like that 'bout our women folks. Gosh dern him, ef he ever opened his head 'bout my wife I'd knock him over into Butter township, Indiany. What'n thunder's the use bein' afeared o'

ershine undertook, on separate occasions, to "take it out'n his hide" for old-standing grievances, a

een up to the average and prices were low. It was only by skimping almost to niggardliness that they managed to make both ends meet during the last months of the winter. Justine's sch

or parade unless she could spread sail with a dozen hues in the breeze, the odor of perfume in the air, and unblushable pink in her cheeks. Society in Clay township could never be accused of color-blindness. The young gallants, in their store clothes, were to be won by ribbons and rouge, and, as the sole object of the girls was to get married and have children, the seasons appa

ent occurred which was to change the whole course of their lives. They had walked several miles across the hills, through leafy woodland, to Proctor's Falls. Here the creek wriggled through a mossy dell until it came to a sudden dr

fashioned the picture. To her, his art was little short of the marvelous; to a critic, it would have shown crudities enough, though even the faults were those of genius. Her eye foll

. "And that log would look better if it were turned upside down, don't you think

hink you might sell some of your pictures, Jud, dear?

pted, laughing. "Everything I draw

you. They'd look so nice in frames, Jud. Honestly, they would. Dear me, they're much ni

s there in this county that would give me a dollar for the whole lot? I couldn't give them away-that is, exc

ch prettier than I real

tively upon the brown, smooth face with the studious wrinkle in the forehead, and she was not thinking of the pi

over whose sullen forehead tilted a rakish traveling cap, seemed to be expostulating with the young woman. From his manner it was easy to be seen that he did not regard further progress into the wilds as pleasant, profitable, or nece

he visitors halted and surveyed the unconscious couple, the young lady showing curiosity, the young man showing disgust, the old lady showing indecision. Their br

e persisted in going forward; "it's some countr

e that pretty little waterfall unless one gets out there where your lovers sit. If you won't go with me, let me

k," growled the

was loth to disturb its quiet beauty. With a sudden feeling that she might be intruding, she turned to steal away as she had come. A twig crackled under her shoe. The other girl, startled, looked up at her with amazement in

tammered. "I wanted to see the Falls a

this. To her the stranger was like a visitor from another world. Her own world had been Clay township. She did not dream that she was the cause of envy in the

trying to draw the Falls and I-we don't mind. You can

o on with your drawing," said the stranger, pausing irresolutely. She

lmost unconsciously. The new arrival was cha

the critic. I'll promise not to be harsh." But Jud, suddenly diffident,

aid. "I don't know anyth

. "I am sure it must be good. Your modesty is the best recommendation." She held forth her small gloved h

ud, pleased and almost at ease. She w

bewitched the would-be critic. She was charmed with these healthy, comely strangers, foun

t," she said decisively. "Wil

aid Jud. "But I can't work

young lady

different,"

s. Of course, that does make a difference. Now, aren't you sw

that," said Jud lamely. "You pro

and Jud had seemed amusing to a stranger. Jud reluctantly held up t

from one to the other with growing uncertainty. "Pardon me, I thought you were-I mean, I thought you lived near here. You must overlook my very str

," said Jud blankly. The y

manded doubtingly. "Are you

s within five miles of this

e stranger's mistake. The critic thought herself to be in the presence of a genius

live here, sir, but you have studied drawin

nstruction in my life," said Ju

een trifling with me," she

anybody could see that I know nothing about dra

st tell me all about yourself. A man with your talent should not be lost in these wilds. You

other rather helplessly,

e's rich, warm face as if expecting her to join in the merriment at his expense. Justine, however, was too deep

ou. You are worth cultivating. Dear me, if I had you in Chicago, I'd make a l

ver since he was a child; how his mother had assisted him; how Justine had encouraged him; how

sell me th

's not worth a price. Besides, you've been so kind to me. Won't you accept it as a gift?" he answered,

r I you; you are under no obligation to me. And I would ra

ET ME PAY Y

th anything,"

is worth. Fifty

the money from her purse. Thrusting five bills int

can't take back the picture bec

mean, I can't ta

us, I shall have a valuable picture. Now I must be going. My mother and brother are probably in convulsions. See them? Don't they look

ldn't force me

pretty idea, isn't it? I know she will approve." And here she came to Justine and kissed her. "I know I should like you very m

your wedding present wh

, but before either had found words to tell her t

cried, turning back,

ey Sh

ow it when you are famous. Goo

tated an

?" he cried. Justine clasped

p her card, hastily withdrawn from its case.