"
The girl reddened, in spite of her assumed indifference.
"They- say, too, as how he air not in love with her, 'n' that
somebody oughter warn Easter that he air not a-meanin' good to
her. You hev been seed a-walkin' in the mountains together."
"Who seed me? " she asked, with quick suspicion. The
mountaineer hesitated.
I hev," he said, doggedly.
The girl's anger, which had been kindling against her gossiping
fellows, blazed out against Raines.
You've been watchin' me," she said, angrily. "Who give ye the right
to do it? What call hev ye to come hyar and tell me whut folks is
asayin'? Is it any o' yo' business? I want to tell ye, Sherd
Raines"-her utterance grew thick-" that I kin take keer o' myself;
that I don't keer what folks say; 'n' I want ye to keep away from me.
'N' ef I sees ye a-hangin' round 'n' a-spyin', ye'll be sorry fer it." Her
eyes blazed, she had risen and drawn herself straight, and her
hands were clinched.
The mountaineer stood motionless. " Thar's another who's seed
ye," he said, quietly-" up thar," pointing to a wooded mountain, the
top of which was lost in mist. The girl's attitude changed instantly
into - vague alarm, and her eyes flashed upon Raines as though
they would sear their way into the meaning hidden in his quiet
face. Gradually his motive seemed to become clear, and she
advanced a step toward him.
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