The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-06-25
FORGIN EN-.

Dusk was beginning to fall, and as l
looked around over the long level of
marshland that surrounded us. and saw
no sign of our party. | felt the first
thrill of not pleasant uneaSineSs. |
glanced AT my companion. She WAS
walking contentedly by my side. appar-
ehtly secure in the assumption that I
Knew my way. As "a matter of fact,
had tire gravest doubt about il, and
there seemed no possibility of making.
sure. For miles on either hand the
marshes stretched to the low horizon.
tine dry tracks were few and Hide
fined. and already a light white mist
was rising over the numerous straight
waterways. | looked at Miss Pas+,oc
again. and my unensiness gave place to
a kind of eNpectaTt pleasure. Even sup
posing we were lost. there was no actual
danger, and the great sense of solitude
that hung about US gave me a feeling of
possession that was kecnly delightful.
Miss PaScoe, unconscious of my doubt
ful cOgitations, still walked on as though
l.er feet were upon a familiar road; uII
indeed. as far as | could Judge, we were
making in the right direction. To have
stopped would have been like confcs-
SION of incompetence on my part, and
this. 10 an unaVowed lover. was out of
tlFr question. at any rate until circum-
stances unqUeStionably had me at Il
disadvantage. SO we went on, and the
twilight deepened. and the mist traIled
in densser wisps across the shiverinT
reed beds.
Suddenly she turned to me
What a. queer place this would be to
get los; in" she said.
| think the serious possibility of such
a think had not occurred to her al all.
She threw out the remark merely aS a
contribution to a tagging conversation.
YES" | said. But you are not
afraid, are you?'
20, 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 now -
she asked. after a pause, in which the
darkness had perceptibly increased.
Three miles, L dare say" | said, at a
blind hazard.
That's nothing" she said; Il thought
we must he quite four
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 moth
ing To- rest on" she said.
I'm sure | could find a fence some
where" | said.
Il 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; the slow
roll mingled with the rustic of the wind
over the rushee. And then il became
quite obvious 10 me that l had woefuIly
gone astray, for the sea was before us
instead of almost at our backs.
1T must he the sea- | said, after a
show of hard listening.
But it shouldn't be 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; '.vou
know what | mean. We must have got
on the wrong path. Mr.. Thirlmere."
she cried, ''how could you have been so
careless?''
MY dear Miss Pascoe," l said. IF 1
have made a mistake, 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" said, Il got my directions
from your brother-from Jim-and he's
often so very inaccurate, isn't hep"
"Absurdly inaccurate" she admitted.
IF I'd known you were relying upon
Jim | wouldn't have come at all
And then l should have missed the
most delightful walk | ever had
She turned away from me a little,
with petulant movement of the shoul-
ders that pleased me nightly.
II wish we had Jim here" she said,
with petty fierceness.
Il DON'T" l said.
Then perhaps you'll he good enough
to find the right path. We can't stay
here
There don't seem to be any convent
ences for camping out" | said. ''Will
YOU stay here for moment, while eN-
piore to the right? j may get up 10
my knees in the marsh. You will be
safer here"
Don't he lon~ viii vou?" she said.
20, no." / said, cheerfully; Il 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 considera-
ton | came to the conclusion that had
made rather an ass Of myself. Another
hundred yards. and still 10 path.
paused and looked back. | could see