Page:The Overland Monthly, Jan-June 1894.djvu/216



152

After the Fire.

[Fe

" Yes, I think you would make a very poor dear, even if you were a pelican."

While Humphrey ate his supper, he related the incidents of his journey to Bessie, who interrupted him with occa- sional soft bursts of laughter that net- tled him a little. He was tired, and he was not intending to be funny ; he could not see why she should laugh. The truth of the matter was that Bessie had been getting nervous as she read alone by the fire, waiting for him to come, the Riordans parental had gone to bed some hours before, and her laughter was in a great measure only the expres- sion of her relieved feeling.

When he grew red and silent, she said, apparently to the dishes in the lit- tle cupboard, " O, he was so ridiculous on the floor among the pelicans ! It was worth sitting up to see." Then turning to him, she continued, " Truly, I am sorry you have had such a bad time. And poor Billy there in the tim- ber without any supper ! Will you take some one and get him out the first thing in the morning ? "

"Yes, Joe Austin and Jim Barker will go with me : we will take axes and cut a way for him to get out. He can climb, I tell you, that horse ; he walked fifty feet after me on a fallen log today."

" If that Joe Austin is going, I hope you will make him carry Billy's break- fast and all the axes, and make him do all the disagreeable work too ? "

" Why ? "

"Because he is a pig."

" You don't seem to like Joe ? "

" No, he is the hatefullest "

She paused, and a bright color flamed under the pale skin.

" Why, what has he been doing ? "

" I he came up here to dig those post holes, and would come in for water every few minutes. I just hate him ! That is all."

This was given with a young girl's emphasis, but no questioning brought any further reason for her expression ;

and as her listener turned over in h mind the character of the man in que tion, he thought that she might hav reason for disliking him in the natur; instincts of her womanliness. All won en would dislike Joe, he fancied, simp] because they could n't help it. Bi speculations of all kinds were soon lo: in slumber for tired Humphrey, wh must waken early in the morning.

After a hasty breakfast he starte with the others to rescue his faithfi horse, who was impatiently waiting fc his coming in the still falling rain, was not until their labors were cor pleted and they were returning that Jc began on the favorite topic of his ow irresistible charm for all womankind, b remarking to Humphrey that he didn know how to make the most of his 0] portunities.

"There you are," said he, "a love blonde young beauty, and the only or in sight of that plump little girl i Riordan's, and you don't know how I make yourself agreeable to the ferr nine heart. Now, if you would tal some lessons from me, I warrant si would be in love with you in a week."

"When I want to make an infern ass of myself, I will take lessons of yo Why don't you try your own charn there ? The curves of your legs wou take her fancy, and her eye would dwe in joy on your fine, large ears, thoug they are yet too small for your re character."

But the unwarned boaster continuec " I did n't need to try my charms ; thf are evident enough : and it was a swe< word she whispered in that same larj ear that 's next to you, my boy. red mouth is as sweet as it looks,"- with a leer intended to look knowing.

A swift recollection of Bessie's won of the night before came to Humphre and with them a knowledge of how th man could and did annoy her. A va: boaster, from whom he had heard cour less lies about every woman he kne 1