The mountain girl came so unexpectedly from among the bushes that
Betty Jo, who was stooping over a flower, was startled.
"Judy!" she exclaimed. "Goodness! child, how you frightened me!" she
finished with a good-natured laugh. But as she noticed the mountain
girl's appearance, the laugh died on her lips, and her face was grave
with puzzled concern.
Poor Judy's black hair was uncombed and dishevelled. The sallow,
old-young face was distorted with passion, and the beady eyes glittered
with the light of an insane purpose.
"What is it, Judy?" asked Betty Jo. "What in the world is the matter?"
"What'd you-all come back for?" demanded Judy with sullen menace in
every word. "I done told him not ter let you. Hit 'pears ter me youuns
ought ter have more sense."
Alarmed at the girl's manner, Betty Jo thought to calm her by saying,
gently: "Why, Judy, dear, you are all excited and not a bit like
yourself. Tell me what troubles you. I came back because I love to be
here with Auntie Sue, of course. Why shouldn't I some if Auntie Sue
likes to have me?"
"You-all are a-lyin'," returned Judy viciously. "But you-all sure can't
fool me. You-all come back 'cause he's here."
A warm blush colored Betty Jo's face.
Judy's voice raised shrilly as she saw the effect of her words.
"You-all knows dad burned well that's what you come back for.
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