The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-05-28
FORGIVEN.

marsh land that surrounded us ana saw
no sign of any of our party felt the
first thrill of a not unpleasant uneasi-
ness. I glanced at my companion. She
was walking quito contentedly by my
side, apparently secure i'll the assump-
ton that knew my way. AS matter
of fact, had tho gravest doubt about it
and there seemed no possibility Of max
ing sure For miles OH either hand tho
marshes stretched to the low horizon.
Tho dry tracks were few and i'll defined
and already light white mist was ris-
ing over tho numerous straight water
ways. looked mt Miss Pascoe again,
and my uneasiness gave place to q kind
of expectant pleasure. Even supposing
we were lost, there was no actual dam
ger, and the great sense of solitude that
hung about US gave mo n feeling of pos
session that was keenly delightful Miss
Pascoe, unconscious of my doubtful
cogitations, still walked OH as though
her feet were upon familiar road, and
indeed, as far as could judge, we were
making i'll the right direction. To have
stopped would have been like confes-
sion OF incompetence Oh my part, and
this to all unavowed lover was ont of
the question, Mt any ratio until circum-
stances unquestionably had me at dis
advantage. So we went on, and the
twilight deepened, and tho mist trailed
i'll denser wisps across tho shiyering
reed beds.
Suddenly she turned to me-
What queer place this would be to
get lost ill.,, she said
think the serious possibility of such
thing had not occurred to her ut all.
She threw out the remark merely as a
contribution to a tagging conversation.
EYES," / said. "But you're not
afraid. are you?"
"Oh, no; not at all! Of course you
know tho way, and that makes all the
difference
"Of course it does, f" I answered, with
q glinmering sense of shame
How far are we from home now"
she asked after pause, in which the
darkness had perceptibly increased.
"Three miles, dare say said al q
blind hazard.
THAT'S nothing" she said. Il
thought we must be quite four
Are you sure you re not tired:" 1
asked. Wouldn't you like TO rest:"
But she persisted in walking on at that
swinging pace of hers.
Even if wanted to rest there's
nothing to rest on" she said
Pm sure 1 could find fence some
where" 1 said
II don't believe you could" she
said, ''but I'm not going to let you try.
I'D much rather get home.''
We walked on silently for another
five minutes, and then Miss Pascoe
stopped and listened, leaning forward
slightly, with her hair blowing about
her face.
Is that the sea?' she asked.
1t was the sea Enthusiastically, tho
slow roll mingled with the rustic of
the wind over the rushes. And then it
became quite obvious to me that had
woefully gone astray, for the sea was
before us instead of almost at our backs.
1T must be the sea- said, after q
show of hard listening.
But it shouldn bo there" she said
"Why not?" answered rather feebly
in order to gain time. 1T always has
been there, suppose.
Don't be foolish" she said. lyon
know what l mean. We must have got
Oh the wrong path. Mr.. Thirlmere, {"
she cried, chow could You have been so
careless?''
'My dear Miss Pascoe," 1 said, "if
l have made mistake, I am very
sorry"
And you said all along that you
knew the way" she pouted, trying to
shoot condemnation from her eyes Mt
me i'll the darkness.
You see," said Il got my direc-
tons from your brother-from Jim
and he's often so very inaccurate, ISM
hep
"Absurdly inaccurate she Admit
ted. IF I'd known you were relying
upon Jim. 1 wouldn't have como at
all. +"
And then should have missed the
most delightful walk l ever had
She turned away from me little,
with a petulant movement of the shout
ders that pleased me nightly.
II wish we had jim here" she said
with pretty iierceness.
Il don't" I said.
Then, perhaps you'll be good enough
to find the right path. We can't stay
here.
There don't seem to be any conven-
fences for camping out, said. will
you stay here for a moment whilo l OK
plore to the right? l may get up to my
knees i'll the marsh. You will be safer
here"
Don't DO long, will you?" sho said.
oh, NOR said cheerfully. 81 shall