Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-09-03
CHAPTER WIN.

Guido yesterday, spending like a prodi-
gal its wealth of golden sunshine.
The horses We're stopped to rest on the
brow Of a mighty hill. while. awestruck,
Gray and Anita We're staring at the
changing glory Of the sunset.
Anita was weary and dispirited.
cramped and tired with the long days
ride. tired above all of Gray. His easy
familiarity. with its undertone of laugh
ing tenderness, while it seemed natural
enough after their long years of childish
comradeship, yet chafed on her nerves;
the joking small talk with which he
continually interrupted her brooding
thoughts filed her with s~mothered irri-
tation. She was beginning to see the
expedition but as an impulse of childish
folly What if she did succeed in this
scheme of retaliation? cui bonoy Would
all the jealous anger his heart could hold
give her husband back TO her so that
her faith in him could be made whole
again? And what availed anything else?
'Do you know" said Gray, dreamily
watching the dying sunlight that seemed
sitting itself through gold dust in one
brilliant spot behind the range, II think
that slang phrase you have here for
death-'go:ng over the range'-was born
in a poets brain? Don't it seem as if
that range yonder might bound the
world?--as if. beyond, the full flood Of
sunlight might be pouring down upon a
celestial city? All. well, I'm afraid we
shall find it all about as much of a take
in when we go climbing up the golden
stairs"
Don't. Gray!" a little choke in her
voice. To think that but a moment
since she had been calling him tiresome
in her thoughts. when one could not but
guess. seeing his thin, drawn face and
too brilliant eyes, how strong the chances
were that before very long he might be
proving himself whatever might be in
''the great perhaps'-goue 'ove the
range
"And why not?" his light laugh broken
off by his hollow cough. because ]
have a sore throat do You think it be-
hooves me to assume a good-boy attitude!
1t seems to me that about half the show
of piety of the world is built up on this
basis-the instructive thrift that would
blindly provide against a possible rainy
day-half admitting that the enter
prise may turn out a lottery drawing
nothing but blanks. yet taking the gam
BILE, since it seems to cost nothing but a
little lip service
ILL.,. an, x-ats ha en- pynfRqI-Cn nm
JUST" in shocked e~xpostulation. And
life is so wretchedly short!'
lyon mean we ought TO make hay
while the sun shines, so to speak, and
swallow orthodoxy while we have time.
| can't. Nita. | think a man must be
happy 10 be religious-to feel that he
has something to thank God for. But
for me. | am not happy. Are you, Nitar
..Ah, who Isl" returned Anita senten-
tiously. ut is not necessary.
mo. but very desirable. And when
some of us can see so clearly just what
is lacking to give us perfect happiness
when it seems as if one might almost
reach ont his hand and take tit seems
a little rough, don't you Think
None Of us know what is good for
ms. - returned Anita sagely, with a shrug
of her shoulders.
ssBut we suffer just as much from BAT
fed desire if we only think we know
persisted Gray, touching up the horses
land in that connection have often
wondered and now ! want to know
turning to her d~eterminedly, IF You had
been left to make up your mind alone.
would you have married meY'
"Oh, Gray ia distressful embarrass-
mont ..what Is the use of rakng up
that old AFFAIR."
"And what is the harm. since it is an
old affair, past and done with? Call 1t
an idle curiosity if you like. Idon't see
why YOU should mind telling me now"
Il wish you would put on your over-
coat, Gray. 1t is growing cold" nerv-
ously buttoning her jacket. Il
.sThat is not answering my question.
(Which you have no right to ask
~ know that, humbly, but have so
,onged to know. One thing" searching
her face eagerly. you do not say you
No. becausen- stopping with a swift
blnsh as she saw whittier her words
tended. go
aglow. - y sbarn.
IL bnt r~elenting a little as she met me-
renroachful glance. There was only the
smallest possibility, the merest scrap OF
! chance. that if Uncle John haa not
Ven 50 opposed to it, and Aunt Annie
aIIv tbaf-well, perhaps might:
ooh. Nita, you dear, dear girli' with
n-.ss;onate JOY. IF you could under
Itsnd what this small admission Is to me,
so- Could not regret it. To think tnAt
so- resllv cared enough for me
sRnt / did not" she quickly protested;
er;gbtened at the passion in his eyes
lever cared for you as much as you dia
sor me could not have pretended "
for a moment