Page:The Overland Monthly, Jan-June 1894.djvu/218



154

After the Fire.

seemed to him, were all in Bessie's fa- vor. Her manner to him was so child- like and open that he was never even tempted to waken her coquetry by any of the compliments with which he was ready enough to other girls.

Things remained in this quiescent state until Peter, the parrot, had been a member of the Riordan family for two years, during which they had moved out into the timber clearing at the end of the mill road. There the making of but- ter and the tending of fowls occupied much of Bessie's time. Mason had taken up his abode with another household in Port Orford, but spent part of his Sun- days out on the little farm, where they were always glad to see him. Bessie said so, with the same clear, unconscious look. He was picturing just how that look would be one afternoon in the late summer, while he was allowing his horse to choose his deliberate footsteps in that direction. He had not said to himself that he wished to woo Bessie, but the feeling was potential, and liable to sudden development by an unexpect- ed impulse, as his anger was. Just now he was feeling an emotion not as yet deep, and so new to his experience that he did not recognize it as jealousy. It had been roused by a chance remark that would not be forgotten, as he moved slowly through the heat that quivered over the dry brown needles of the hun- dreds of fallen tree-trunks, which stored it in their resinous depths, to emerge heavy with pungent, slumberous odor. Tall tiger lilies bloomed in the dusky shade, or flared into and blended with the curious light from the great red sphere that hung in the sky. Only an occasional echoing rattle from a wood- pecker's bill broke the silence brooded over by that great copper-colored light in which all inanimate things seemed to feel and obey an improper command to hush, to listen for an unknown some- thing .that was coming. So intense and real was this feeling that Humphrey

started when a bluejay that had been ing the clear red berries from a delicat plant in the shadow of a bridge flew 01 from under Billy's hoofs and screame discordantly on a branch above. He ol served that it looked bright purple i the unearthly light.

The thick smoke that had hung ove the sky for the past two weeks seeme closer and more oppressive as he ac vanced. Many miles of timber wer burning in the interior, and as he neare the clearing he saw fine ashes deposite on the leaves everywhere : he could se them falling through the motionless ai by looking up. Each tiny surface caugh the red glare of the sunlight, and pre sented the appearance of a shower o fire.

A sudden idea of what a terrible thin a fire would be among all those dea trees came to him, but was forgotte when he saw Bessie seated on the litti piazza, and near her a figure who wa waving a wide straw hat before her fac and his own at intervals. This perso rose as Humphrey approached, an greeted him cordially, but seated him self by Bessie's side again, much as he had a right there.

Charley Lorillard was well enoug in his way, but it irritated the othe man to see his little gallantries. H acted toward Bessie as if he were a old and trusted friend of hers, quit confidential, in fact. How long had h been coming there and fanning he with his hat ? the other reflected, as h led Billy to the brook for the drink h begged for.

When he returned, Charley was pre paring to take his departure. It seeme that he had taken dinner there and en joyed himself immensely, to judge from his manner. He was going home toj drive his stock out of the woods pasture ; he was afraid of the fire ; with the wind! in the direction it was, there was no telling how soon it might reach them.

" There is no wind," said Mason.