porch of the log-cabin and watched for him.

"Hy're, Cunnel!" he cried, cordially.

But the little "Colonel" took no heed. She looked beyond him at the
vague blue mountains, against which the great grim rock was heavily
imposed, every ledge, every waving dead crisp weed, distinct.

He noticed the smoke curling briskly up in the sunshine from the clay
and slick chimney. He strode past her into the house, as Eugenia,
with all semblance of youth faded from her countenance, haggard and
hollow-eyed in the morning light, was hurrying the corn-dodgers and
venison steak on the table.

Perhaps he did not appreciate that the women were pining with curiosity,
for he vouchsafed no word of the excitements in the little town; and he
himself was ill at ease.

"What ails the Cunnel, 'Genie?" he asked, presently, glancing up sharply
from under his hat brim, and speaking with his mouth full.

"The cat 'pears ter hev got her tongue," said Eugenia, intending that
the "Colonel" should hear, and perhaps profit. "She ain't able ter talk
none this mornin'."

The little body cast so frowning a glance upon them as she stood in
the doorway that her expression was but slightly less lowering than
her father's. It was an incongruous demonstration, with her infantile
features, her little yellow head, and the slight physical force she
represented. She wore a blue cotton frock, fastened up the back with
great horn buttons; she had on shoes laced with leather strings; one of
her blue woollen stockings fell over her ankle, disclosing the pinkest
of plump calves; the other stocking was held in place by an unabashed
cotton string. She had a light in her dark eyes and a color in her
cheek, and albeit so slight a thing, she wielded a strong coercion.

"Laws-a-massy, Cunnel!" said Tobe, in a harried manner, "couldn't ye
find me nowhar? I'm powerful sorry. I couldn't git back hyar no sooner."

But not in this wise was she to be placated. She fixed her eyes upon
him, but made no sign.

He suddenly rose from his half-finished breakfast. "Look-a-hyar,
Cunnel," he cried, joyously, "don't ye want ter ride the filly?--ye knew
ye hanker ter ride the filly."

Even then she tried to frown, but the bliss of the prospect overbore
her. Her cheek and chin dimpled, and there was a gurgling display of two
rows of jagged little teeth as the doughty "Colonel" was swung to his
shoulder and he stepped out of the door.

He laughed as he stood by the glossy black mar