The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-06-15
FORGIVEN.


side, apparently secure in the assump-
ton that l knew my way. AS a matter
of fact, had the gravest doubt about it
and there seemed no possibility Of max
ing sure. For miles on either hand the
marshes stretched to the low horizon.
The dry tracks were few and i'll defined
and already light white mist was ris-
ing over the numerous straight water
ways. looked at Miss Pascoe again,
and my uneasiness gave place to kind
of expectant pleasure. Even supposing
we were lost, there was no actual dan
ger, and the great sense of solitude that
hung about us gave me feeling of pos
session that was keenly delightful Miss
Pascoe, unconscious of my doubtful
cogitations, still walked ON as though
her feet were upon a familiar road, and
indeed, as far as could judge, we were
making in the right direction. To have
stopped would have been like confess
sion OF Incompetence on my part, and
this to an unavowed lover was out of
the question, at any rate until oircum-
stances unquestionably had me at dis
advantage. So we went on, and the
twilight deepened, and the mist trailed
in denser wisps across the shivering
reed beds.
Suddenly she turned to me.
What queer place this would be to
get lost in, - she said.
think the serious possibility of such
thing had not occurred to her at all.
She threw out the remark merely as a
contribution to a tagging conversation.
Yes, l said. But you're not
afraid. are your"
"Oh, no; not at ALL Of course you
know the way, and that makes all the
difference. +"
"Of course it does, (" answered, with
a glimmering sense of shame.
How far are we from home nowY"
she asked after pause, in which the
darkness had perceptibly increased.
Three miles, ! dare say" said at
blind hazard.
"That's nothing" she said. Il
thought we must be quite four
Are you sure you re not tired?'' |
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.
I'm sure could find a fence some
where, said
i 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
g Is that the sea?'' she asked.
1t was the. sea Enthusiastically, the
slow roll mingled with the rustic of
the wind over the rushes And then 1t
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 a
show Of hard listening.
But 1t shouldn t he there, " she said
why notY' answered rather feebly
in order to gain time 1T always has
Deen Gnere, suppose.
Don't be foolish, she said. "You
know what mean We must have got
on the wrong path Mr. Thirlmere,"
she cried, chow could you have been so
careless?''
Ny dear Miss Pascoe," said, IF
have made a mistake, l am very
sorry"
And you said all along that you
knew the way, she pouted, trying to
shoot condemnation from her eyes at
me in the darkness.
you see. l said, Il got my direc-
tions from your brother-from Jim
and he's often so very inaccurate, isn't
hep
"Absurdly inaccurate" she Init
ted. IF I'd known you were relying
upon Jim, l wouldn't have come at
all"
And then 1 should have missed the
most delightful walk ever had. "
She turned away from me a little,
with petulant movement Of the shout
ders that pleased me nightly.
II wish we had Jim here, F" she said
with pretty fierceness.
Il don't, 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 F" | said. will
you stay here for moment while | ex-
plore to the right? may get up to my
knees in the marsh. You will be safer
here.
Don't be long, will your she said.
ooh, nol'' said cheerfully. II shall
find the path in no time.
/ started off, carefully exploring the
ground before me with my stick as
went. There was no sign of path, and
began to be seriously alarmed for Miss
Pascoe's comfort. On consideration I
I came to the conclusion that had made
rather an ass Of myself. Another hun
bred yards, and still no path. paused
and looked back. could see a slight,
dark figure moving toward me very
carefully and slowly.
Is that your said.
Miss Pascoe's voice answered: eyes.
I'd rather come with you If you don't
mind. When you left me, felt so lone
ly that was almost afraid.
Il am more sorry than can tell
you," said, "to have got you into
such an awkward fix. Pick your way
very carefully. Ali" She had stepped
with one foot into patch of wet moss.
Take my hand" I said. ''It is
quite firm where / am standing. Will
you ever forgive me for this?' She took
my outstretohed hand, and guided her
to safety. But because the danger might
be renewed at any moment still re-
tanned my hold of her slim fingers, and
we went forward together in that pleas
ant, companionable way.
Don't talk to me about forgiveness
until you have found the path and
made restitution, she said. My fingers
frightened upon hers instinctively, part
ly because it was SO pleasant to have
them resting so unreservedly in my
hand and partly because her voice was
very low and without any hint of dis
approval In It.
For myself, l said, 81 cannot pre-
tend to be sorry for this adventure. For