The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-11-16
TContinued from Last Sundays News
CHAPTER xxi

CHAPTER XXI.
For several days this impression sat-
isfied him completely. He discovered.
strangely enough. that his restlessness
had left him, that once more he was
able to give to his work his former en-
ergy and interest.
At a touch his entire life had chang
ed Reality or vision, he had caught
a glimpse of something so entirely diff
ferent from anything his imagination
or experience had ever suggested to
him, that at first he could do no more
than permit passively it's influences to
adjust themselves to his being Out
wardly, for three days, Harry Thorpe
occupied himself only with the needs
of the Eighty Forty at Camp One.
In the early morning he went out
with the gang. While they chopped or
heaved. he stood by serene. Not once
did ne glance at the incoming sun. His
patience was quiet and sure. When
evening came he smoked placidly out
side the Office, listening to the men,
watching dreamily the night shadows
and the bats. AT about o'clock he
went to bed, and slept soundly. lie
was vaguely conscious of a great peace
within him.
Little by little the condition changed.
The man felt vague STRINGS of Curl
osity. Since the girl was so certainly
flesh and blood, whence did she come?
what was she doing there In the will
derness? When could he see her again?
How find for the second time the Wis
WI h fO he
instant need of prostrating itself. His
placidity had gone. That morning he
made some vague excuse to Shearer
and set out blindly down the river.
When the SHOWS are deep and snow
shoes not the property of every man
who cares to journey, the old-fashion-
ed pole trail'' comes into use. 1t is
merely a series of horses built of tim
Der across which thick Norway logs
are laid, about four feet from the
ground, to form a continuous pathway.
A man must be a tight-rope walker
to stick to the pole trail when ice
and snow have sheathed its logs. In
summer it resembles nothing so much
as a thick one-rail fence of consider
able hight, around which a fringe of
light brush has grown.
Thorpe reached the fringe of bushes,
and was about to dodge under the
fence, when he saw her. So he stopped
short, concealed by the leaves and the
timber horse.
She stood on a Knoll in the middle
of grove of monster pines. The
girl stood tall and straight among
the tall, straight pines like a figure on
an ancient Tapestry. She was doing
nothing-just standing there-but the
awe of the forest was in her wide, clear
eyes.
The great sweet feeling clutehed the
throat q
and looked, and looked again. He saw
the full pure curve of her cheeks con-
tour. He appreciated the half-pathetic
downward droop of the corners of her
mouth-her red mouth in dazzling, be-
Witching contrast to the milk-white-
ness of her skin. He caught the fine
ness of her nose, straight as Gre
clans but with some faint suggestion
about the nostrils that limited a pi-
quance. And the waving corn silk of
her unruly hair, the superb column
of her long neck on which her little
head poised proudly like a flower, her
supple body, her slender white hSnd
with the pointed fingers-all these he
saw one after the other, and his soul
shouted within him at the sight. He
wrestled with the emotions that choked
him. In moment she stirred slightly,
turned and moved away in the direc-
ton of the river.
slept ill., and discovered the greatest
difficulty in preserving the outward
semblance of ease which the presence
of Tim Shearer and the Fighting
Forty demanded.
And the next day he saw her again,
and the next, because the need of his
heart demanded it, and because, SIM
ply enough, she came every afternoon
to the clump of pines by the old pole
AnI x,nlya I'D
a desire for something more. He
must speak to her, touch her hand,
look into her eyes. He resolved to APP
proach her. and the mere thought
choked him and sent him weak.
When he saw her again from the
shelter of the pole trail. he dared not,
and so stood there prey to a novel
sensation. 1t awoke within him vast
passion compounded part of rage at
himself, part of longing for that which
he could not take, but most of love
for the girl. AS he hesitated he saw
that she was walking slowly in his d.
rection.
In a moment she had reached the
fringe of brush about the pole trail.
They stood face to face
She gave little start of surprise,
and her hand leaped to her breast,
where it caught and stayed. Her
childlike down-drooping mouth parted
little more, and the breath quickened
through it. But her eyes, her wide.
trusting, innocent eyes, sought his and
rested
He did not move. One on either
side of the spike marked old Norway
log of the trail they stood, and for an
appreciable interval the duel of their
giances lasted-he masterful, passion
ate, exigent; she proud cool, defen-
siVe in the aloofness of her beauty.
Then at last his prevailed. A faint
color rose from her neck, deepened,
and spread over her face and fore
head. In a moment she dropped her
eyes.
Don't you think you stare little
rudely-Mr. Thorpe she asked.
She stood before him, her head turn
ed half way, faint flush still tinging
her skim watching him with dim,
half-pleading smile in expectation of
his reply.
His anguish sounded almost harsh.
How did you know nys name" he
asked.
She planted both elbows on the Nor
way
IF Mr.. Henry Thorpe can ask that
question" she replied, "he is not quite
SO impolte as had thought him."
If you don't stop pouting your lips,
shall kiss them." cried Harry-to
himself.
How lie 4hat0., he innuired breath