enough to earth to care for roses. She bent above them gloating on their
fierce, triumphant splendour. Was there ever such a colour? But the stems
were dreadfully short. A sudden purpose grew in her mind. With hasty,
tremulous fingers she gathered an apronful of the blossoms. Once more she
unlocked the front door, hurried back to that bed which she had so
lovingly spread, and on its white coverlet began arranging a great,
glowing wreath, fashioned by setting a circle of red roses petal to
petal.

As she worked Cliantha Lusk's ballad came into her head, and she sang it
under her breath.

"'And they grew and they grew to the old church top
Till they couldn't grow any higher,
And there they twined in a true lover's knot,
The red rose and the briar.'

"No--that ain't it--

"'And there they twined in a true lover's knot,
For all true lovers to admire.'"

True lovers--she crooned the word over and over. It was sweet to say it.
She thrilled through all her strong young body with the delight of what
she was doing.

"He'll wonder who put 'em there," she whispered to herself. "Ef nothin'
else don't take his eye, these here is shore to."

Chapter VI

The Play-Party

Long lanes of light crossed the grass from window and door of the
Turrentine house; Judith's play-party was in full swing. They were
dancing or playing in the big front room which was lit only by the rich
broken shimmer and shine from a fire of pine sticks in the cavernous
black chimney. Though it was early July the evening, in those altitudes,
had its own chill, and the heat from this was not unpleasant, while its
illumination became necessary, for all the lamps and candles available
were in use out where the tables were spread.

Old Jephthah held state in his own quarters, a detached log cabin
standing about thirty feet from the main structure, and once used
probably to house the loom or for some such extra domestic purpose. Here
too a fire smoldered on the hearthstone, for the head of the Turrentine
clan was tormented by rheumatism, that plague of otherwise healthy
primitive man. He lounged now on the doorstep, smoking, ready to
intercept and entertain any of the older men who might come with their
women folk. Occasionally somebody rode up, or came tramping down the
trail or through the woods--a belated merrymaker hurrying in to ask who
had arrived and who was expected.

To the father's intense disgust Jim Cal had el