Page 62 (1/1)

Ellen felt her face blanch and all her blood rush back to her heart in sickening force The shock of his words was like a stab froht of the old lance did not kill her pride and vanity they surely killed her girlishness She stoodup toward her bosom, as if to ward off another and a ue, hoarsely "You mistook me Aw, I didn't mean--what you think, I swear Ellen, I'm old an' blunt I ain't used to wimmen But I've love for you, child, an' respect, jest the saive me I meant only hevn't you been, say, sort of--careless?"

"Care-less?" queried Ellen, bitterly and low

"An' powerful thoughtless an'--an' blind--lettin' rowed-up woman now?"

"Yes--I have," whispered Ellen

"Wal, then, why did you let them?

"I--I don't know I didn't think The ly pushin' them away And so I--I didn't ht It never looked as y'u have made it look Then--those few times ridin' the trail to Grass Valley--when people saw ed such attentions Oh, I must be--I am a shameless little hussy!"

"Hush thet kind of talk," said the oldan' lonely an' bitter No h ood But now your eyes are open, Ellen They're brave an' beautiful eyes, girl, an' if you stand by the light in theh any trouble An' you'll be happy Don't ever forgit that Life is hard enough, God knows, but it's unfailin' true in the end to the man or woman who finds the best in them an' stands by it"

"Uncle John, y'u talk so--so kindly Yu make me have hope There seemed really so little for ain--nor a thoughtless fool I'll find soood in me--or make some--and never fail it, come ill I'll remes for hteen Shore all ht over sheep and cattle will blow over Soirl to be a friend--a sister to me And maybe some man who'd believe, in spite of all they say--that I'm not a hussy"