"
"How did you learn so much about yesterday--so soon?"
"Oh, we hears things purty quick in these mountains. Little Dave
Tolliver come over here last night."
"Yes," broke in Bub, "and he tol' us how you carried Loretty from
town on a mule behind ye, and she jest a-sassin' you, an' as how
she said she was a-goin' to git you fer HER sweetheart."
Hale glanced by chance at the little girl. Her face was scarlet,
and a light dawned.
"An' sis, thar, said he was a-tellin' lies--an' when she growed up
she said she was a-goin' to marry---"
Something snapped like a toy-pistol and Bub howled. A little brown
hand had whacked him across the mouth, and the girl flashed
indoors without a word. Bub got to his feet howling with pain and
rage and started after her, but the old man caught him:
"Set down, boy! Sarved you right fer blabbin' things that hain't
yo' business." He shook with laughter.
Jealousy! Great heavens--Hale thought--in that child, and for him!
"I knowed she was cryin' 'bout something like that. She sets a
great store by you, an' she's studied them books you sent her
plum' to pieces while you was away.
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