A bright log fire blazed and cracked in the open
fire-place of the roomshe occupied.
Get down an come in, drawled Denmeade as the other
shuffledrestlessly.
But she accomplished the taskof a dozen letters,
and an enlarging and copying of her notes. This accomplishment afforded her great
satisfaction. The older members of the household came in,somewhat quieting the
melee.
Mertie wouldbe sick if her new dress got spoiled.
Yet his father and his mother expected him as a matter ofcourse. Then at the moment
Joe interrupted his fathers talk. At the very outset she made notes on her
pad.
The odour ofpine was now so strong that it was not
far from suffocating.
Her one motive was to help thesepeople and in so
doing help herself.
Oh, Ill never be able to concentrate on anything
here! In the dim light Lucy made outlong spurs attached to them.
Dick wascoming up the lane, leading two little grey
lop-eared burros and a pony,all saddled. With such hope and a prayer that it would
be so she fell asleep. Buttheyre loaded heavy, an Edd will spare the burros before
himself.
Her ablutions, owing to herimpetuosity, turned out
to be an ordeal.
Their faces had been washed and now shonesweet and
wan in the lamplight.
Mary, reckon I have somethin for you in my pack, he
said. Denmeades exclamation was one of mingled doubt, amaze, andwondering
appreciation of a fortune.
But the comfort and health of a home did not depend
upon how littlewas necessary. They had received scant courtesy from Lucy. But the
ride I had yesterday wasenough for a while. Mertie came outcarrying small tin
buckets, one of which she handed to each of thechildren.
It was for the sake of such as they that she had
forsakenpersonal comfort and better opportunities. I hear Sams hoss, said Dick, as
he rose, clinking his spurs.
The children gravitated to Lucy, who essayed toplay
with them on the windy porch. I was wonderin if you was seein
thecircus.
When he found Lucywas firm he attempted to
compromise, and failing of that, he gave inungraciously. Some ofthe hounds followed
her, sniffing at her, not yet over their hostility. But the ride I had yesterday
wasenough for a while.
Danny, dont you undress when you go to
bed?
It brought the broad grin to hisweather-beaten
face.