Page:Scarlet Sister Mary (1928).pdf/234

 drew's was something she seldom met. He was not exactly young in years, but he still stood tall and lean and straight, his muscles were hard, his teeth strong and his eyes keen.

In many ways he looked better now than he had ever looked in his whole life. The years had added flesh to his long, lanky frame, his great strong double joints were less gaunt and with worry-ation softening his bright eyes, they became almost gentle. Trouble does most people good. If they are too weak to bear it, they get crushed but if they can stand up against it, it makes them better, in the end. Strange how Andrew stuck to that stupid fat Doll when there were so many better-looking, willing women in the world. Of course, he was a deacon, and he had always been so severe with sinners that he had to walk straight himself. But a little crooked walking might do him good.

"What de matter all you, Cousin?" she asked him pleasantly. "You don' have to depend on cotton for a livin and I hear-say you's got more money dan you know what to do wid. You ought to be happy and smilin, enty?" She said it as softly, as gently as she could, smiling as woman smiles when she knows her power.

He shook his head gloomily. "I has a lot o trouble, Si May-e."