Page:The Overland Monthly, Jan-June 1894.djvu/219



894.]

After the Fire,

155

" You better think there is wind where that fire is ! Look at your hat." It was powdered thick with ashes like fine salt.

When Charley had disappeared, Bes- Bie turned to Humphrey, who stood above her on the piazza, his hat still in nis hand, and his face flushed with the leaf.

"The air feels cooked, doesn't it? Let us sit here ; I can breathe better i than in the house."

He obeyed silently ; then turned to tier and said abruptly :

" What is Charley Lorillard coming pere for, I should like to know ?"

"That is just what he asked about you when you went to water Billy," was the unexpected reply. I " He did, did he ? We must be here Ion the same errand then. What did jy r ou tell him I came here for ? "

Now if Mason had failed in awaken- fing Bessie's coquetry, Charley had succeeded in doing so by a continued fusillade of small compliments and meaningless gallantries, as foreign to [Humphrey's straightforwardness as a (linnet's song would be to an eagle.

" You said - " began Bessie. " I told him that I thought you came to talk to Peter, and reason with him about his unreasonable dislike for you. Do you know that he will yet swear if I talk to him about you ? " " Who, Charley ? " " No, Peter."

" So you talk to Peter about me ; and whatdoyou say to him on that subject ?" " Peter is over there in the corner ; you might ask him about it. But warn you that he is in a bad temper."

" So am I. If he told me anything unpleasant that you said of me I might wring his neck."

" If you are in a bad temper, perhaps I had better keep quiet too."

" Bessie " and his voice took a dif- terent tone. She turned toward him- and in the pause that followed the in-

scrutable smile curved up the red lips again.

" Do you remember the night after the swallows were killed, when you hid in the cave ? "

" I remember the day the swallows were killed indeed, and I also remember that you promised to bring me the ears of the little wretches who did it. You did n't, though."

" I am going to bring you Charley Lorillard's ears the next time I come, I promise you."

" I think very likely he will bring them himself, so you need not take the trouble. I don't want his ears, anyway. I did want the others. However, I for- gave you because you brought Peter." Peter, hearing his name, muttered to himself sleepily. Bessie brought him out, and opened the cage door. " There, my cherub all in green, come out if you like, but beware of this man ; he is bloodthirsty and dangerous."

They watched Peter's deliberate exit and his slow climb to the top of his cage in silence. During the time Bessie sly- ly noted the outlines of Mason's face, the curly hair, the strong brows, and thick eyelashes. She seemed to see him in a new light today, she thought, and then the bright eyes suddenly lifted, and she turned her confusion quickly, woman-like, by speaking to the bird. " Peter, say something to me. You have not spoken all day. Say some- thing pleasant ; it will be a change for me."

"Was n't Charley pleasant ? " " Do you think you are ? " she re- torted.

What was the matter with her, he thought ; she had never talked so, nor looked so before. He, too, found refuge in Peter. " What does Bessie tell you about me, Peter, old boy ? "

Thus addressed, the bird turned one yellow eye on Bessie, and then the other, as if in an effort to remember. " Sweetheart ! " he murmured doubtful-