Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-09-24


Oily protested. did your
mot the least bit in the world But,
then, could h1ye submitted gracefully"
well, could not. want something
better, bending smilingly to look into
her eyes under the shade of her wide
brimmed hat Her color rose higher as
her eyes dropped shyly under his look
As remote from the world of men as Is
that Rocky mountain trout stream, the
eager feet of fishermen have found it out
and have trodden well worn trail along
its banks. They were compelled to go
single file. Donald ahead combating the
way against the heavy punches of bend
ing grass. turning often to hand Anita .
| dew washed flower or help her across one
of the frequent little pitfalls burrowed
out by beavers To her it was an en-
chanted land. full of rare beauty and
delight as she followed, her eyes fixed
wistfully on Donald's goodly form. At
least he was hers to the exclusion Of all
other women, her heart exulting at
the thought. If he ever knew all, he
might find it hard to forgive her; but
even his coldness to a woman was sof-
tened by gentle consideration that was
not far from tenderness, and better that
than the most impassioned love of an
other man.
The bank rose at last to hill that left
the creek brawling over its rocky bed far
below in the shadow Of the great cliff.
They on the top looked down with bated
breath and the exnltant thrill that comes
upon one when he stands on high places.
"Not such very good fishing" COM
mented Anita smilingly. as she sank
down to rest upon the carpet of pine
needles. resinous odors waited down
from the branches overhead: mot much
fishing, but then An expressive pause.
that told Of exceeding content
Upon my word. | had forgotten that
we came fishing laughed Donald. drop
ping down beside her
She was picking mp bits of stone.
throwing them one by one over the cliff.
He sat furtively studying her flushed
face. grown young with "A look Of happi-
ness it had not worn for many day.
This is rather nice. Mia. he said at
length. luxuriously inhaling long breaths
of the pine scented air: quite like bit
of auld lang syne. isn't it,"
yes" she briefly assented. her face
turned away She seemed carefully
searching for a pebble better suited to
her purpose.
I'VE used to have some rather good
times together, Mia; rather better than
we have been having of late, don't you
think
Eyes" she said again. in weak little
voice, her eyes, that could not see for
sudden tears, rigidly fixed on the bit of
stone she was nervously twisting in her
fingers. He reached over and took the
other hand, that was lying idly in her
lap. delicate blue veined thing 1t
seemed as if the pressure of his thumb
and finger might almost crush it into
helpless deformity. and yet it had been
stronger to shape his life. he thought.
than all the powers of earth beside. Her
wedding ring fitted loosely ON her finger
now, he noticed, and the great diamond
that had been his extravaganza when
first they became engaged flashed few
bright dots of light upon his hand and
cuff About as intangible in his grasp
as those Pickering reflections now was
the happiness he had thought sealed to
him forever when he placed that ring
upon her finger
The hearts of love gave hands, but
our new chivalry is hands, not hearts,
he quoted slowly Her hand moved as
is to take herself away, but his grasp
frightened insistently upon her wrist,
and he went on softly stroking the up
turned pink palm II thought it was
your heart that gave me this hand once,
dear" his lips coming closer TO her small
ear. Il wonder if the hand could not
give me back the heart now if it tried
No answer, save for the sign of the cling
ing fingers that frightened upon his.
"Oh, Mia" drawing her to him in ir-
repressible passion, remember that am
your husband Try-oh. darling, try to
care for me again.
"Againl'' murmered Anita, in tender
mockery. lifting her trimming eyes, in
which he could not fail to read her secret.
why, Don, there has never been a
moment when did not love you. was
mad for moment, but
Il know" exclaimed Donald, stopping
her words with kisses. You cared for
him first
But you are wrong-utterly wrong"
interrupting in her turn. And then she
told him all the miserable little story
IF you had only loved me enough to
trust mel If you had but guessed how
cared for your he exclaimed, his voice
eloquent of pain. when her confession
was finished. 1t was all he said of re-
proach, but it was enough.
'lou cannot forgive me- she MUIR
INJURED. drawing from him dejectedly.
He pressed her back with passionate
force.
Il don't believe you know yet what
love is. Nita.T he said, almost harshly
Il love you. There can be no talk of
forgiveness between us after that What
ever you might do should still love
you. simply because could not helpit."
"And thought you growing SO care
less. 1t seemed to me you were settling
down 90 indifferenfly into the ordinary