The Delta independent., 1896-07-22
"Now you touch upon sore spot.


in fact. think You referred to it a mo-
,nent ago, and you were justly indig-
nant about it at the time. Well, Idon't
care to talk much about the sequel,
but, as you know the beginning, you
will have to know the end, because l
want to wiring second promise from
you. You are never to mention this
episode of the toss-up or of my confess
sion to any living soul The telling
of it might do harm, and it couldn't
possibly do any good. VIII You prom
ise?"
certainly. But do not tell me un-
less you wish to-"
81 don't exactly yearn to talk about
IL, but it is better you should under
stand how the land lies, SO you won't
make any mistake. Not on my ac-
coint, you know, but would not like
1t to come to Kitty's ears. Yes, pro-
posed to Margaret-frst. She wouldn't
look Mt me. Can you credit that?'
''Well, now that you mention it, L"
"Exnctly. l see you can credit it.
Well, couldn't at first, but Margaret
knows her own mind, there's no ques-
ton about that. Say! she's in love
with some other fellow. / found that
much out"
"You asked her, I presume"
swell, it's my profession to find
things out; and, naturally, il do that
for my paper it is not likely l am 60
ing to be behindhand when it comes to
myself. She denied it at first, but ad-
mitted it afterwards, and then bolted."
''You must have used great tact and
delicacy."
''Sce here, Remark, I'm not going
to stand any of your sneering. l told
you this was a sore subject with me.
I'm not telling yo- because l like
to but because I have to. Don't put
me in fighting hu:nor, Mr.. Renmark.
II l talk fight won't begin for no rca-
son and then back out for no reason.
Ill go on"
"Tll be discreet, and beg to take back
all said. What else?"
Nothing else. Isn't that enough?
II was more than enough for meat
the time. tell you, Remark. spent
q pretty bad half-hour sitting ON the
fence and thinking about it."
$50 long as that?''
Yates rose from the fire Indignantly.
~ take that back, too" cried the
professor. hastily. 81 didn't mean it,
''It strikes me you've become awfully
funny all of a sudden. Don't You think
it's about time we took to our hunks?
It's late"
Rcnmark agreed with him, but did
not turn in. He walked to the friend
ly fence, laid his arms along the top
rail, and gazed at the friendly stars.
He had not noticed before how lovely
the night was, with its impressive still
ness, as II the world had stopped as
steamer stops in mid-ocean. After
quieting his troubled spirit in the rest
full stars, he climbed the fence and
walked down the road, taking little
heed Of the direction. The still night
wns soothing companion. He came
st last to sleeping village Of wooden
houses, and through the center of the
town ran n single line of rails, an iron
link connecting the unknown hamlet
with all civilization. A red and
green light giimmcred down the line,
giving the only indication that a train
ever came that way. As he went a
mile or two farther, the cool breath Of
the great lake made itself felt, and
after crossing field he suddenly came
upon the water, finding all farther
progress in that direction barred.
Huge sand dunes formed the shore.
covered with signing pines. At the
foot of the dunes stretched a broad
beach of firm sand dimly visible in con-
trast with the darker water, and at
long intervals on the sand fell the
light ripple Of the languid summer
waves running up the beach with a
half-asleep whisper that became softer
until il merged in the silence beyond.
Far out on the dark waters, point of
light, like a floating star, showed
where a steamer was slowly making
her way, and so still was the night that
he felt, rather than heard, her pulsat-
ing engines. II was the only sign of
life visible from that enchanted bay
the bay of the silver beach.
Remark threw himself down on the
soft sand at the foot of q dune. The
point of light gradually worked its
way TO the west, following, doubtless
unconsciously, the star Of empire. and
disappeared around the headland, TAX
ing with IL a certain vague sense of
companionship. But the world is very
small. and a man is never quite as
much alone as he thinks he is. Rem
mark heard the low hoot of an owl
among the trees. which cry he was aston
ished TO hear answered from the wa
ter. He sat up and listened. Present.
ly there grated on the sand the keel of
boat, and some one stepped ashore.
From the woods there emerged the
shadowy forms Of three men. Nothing
was said, but they got silently into the
boat, which might have been Charon's
craft for all he could see of IT, The
rattle of the rowlocks and the plash of
oars followed. while . voice cautioned
the rowers to make less noise II was
evident that some belated fugitives
were eludine the authorities Of both
countries Remark thought with
smile that IL Yates were in his place he
would at least give them . fright. A
sharp command 70 an imaginary com