Catoctin clarion., 1895-11-21
er, I, at lunch, said harsh things.'
MY DEAR he interrupted. there were
faults on both sides. They rendered
life intolerable and love impossible but

AVA SAS~AS AS St~AS "SAS
faults on both sides. They rendered
life intolerable and love impossible but
'Hushi We rowed out. You had
the sculls and I steered-at least I lay
in the stern and splashed the wavee with
my hands-the hands you used to kiss
go often
She paused and looked at the hands
firm, plump and white and decked
with lovely rings of curious workman
ship. he looked at them and sighed.
She sighed.
But out we went. Then the skies
became dark. the water darkened too,
and grew rough, and you tried to turn.
We were far. far away from shore. You
must have been looking at me instead
of the land or you would have seen that
we were floating fast in current With
an effort you brought the boat around
and pulled for safety. Oh, you looked
splendid Your thin jersey showed the
lines of your strong supple body, che
muscles of your arms and chest rose
superbly, and your manly face, flushed
and firm. fascinated me-
The man smiled, half scornfully.
'You pulled hard, and don't think
l was frightened. I didn't care what
happened, Then the rotten oar cracked
and you bound it with our handker-
chiefs but it still was weak, so you tore
off long strip Of my petticoat to bind
it with, and we drifted out. When at
last you tried again it snapped and the
blade fell into the sea. Then you came
to me to the stern and took the tiller
from my hands. You put your arm
around my waist and said, Don't be
afraid, dear wife, I knew We were
drifting out to open ea,storm and death
and was aware that you knew it. Don't
be afraid little wife, you said and sud-
denly put your arm round my neck
u remember
Yves, l know. Let me 60 on. You
brought my face to yours and laid your
lips on mine. Oh, that kiss-that kiss!
1t still stlngs on my lips. In it / felt
the depth of your love. l felt that I
loyed you-felt that we we're man and
wife, and the only beings alive on land
or sea. That kiss is what regret-that
kiss, the one moment Of rapture in my
life
She paused.
u remember
why did that foolish steamer save US?
l could have died there. happy in your
arms-quite happy
Quite happy?
Yves, quite. To think that We quar-
relied within a week-at least l did
and things went worse than ever after.
ward. What are we women made of?
The old song is wrong-we are made OF
gall and wormwood and marble. To
think that we are here and that paper
lies there. You've acted very hand
somely, allowing me more than half your
income and letting me keep the fat
DO you think l could live IN it after
you have gomez he answered with a
break in his voice. There's nothing in
it that does not speak of you. 1t is a
graveyard of memories
She looked at him over the fan and
saw tears in his eyes. Then she rose
and walked across the room.
HERBERT she said in a timid voice
after a long pause, 1T is four o'clock.
He'll be here soon to see the deed exc
cuted.'
The man bowed his head and hid bis
face in his hands.
She took out her handkerchief and
touched hel eyes.
Herbert, tomorrow is just year after
that day. The night train starts at 8
o'clock. If we went to Etaples We might
6nl-might find-that kiss again.
He jumped up, tears in his eyes and
smile on his lips. YOU mean to say
he caught her in his arms and pressed
his lips long and passionately on her
mouth.
u don't think we really need 60 to
Etapl-s,' she said with a smile, after a
long pause, but it will be pleasant
little-little honeymoon
He rang the bell, told the servant to
tell Mr.. Hawins that no one was at home
and he bade the girl pack her things
instantly. When the girl left the room
they both took hold of the deed and
slowly, gravely tore it into two pieces.
ut is a new way, he observed, of
executing deeds Of separation
You may eat chop food and not be