The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-09-04


and the slight shake in the voice that
had named her was gone from it.
How do you do. Miss Wethered!
We'll. thank you. | am glad to see
you were not eaten by the savages.
Those | have met with are rather
above the average of civilized per-
sons
Il did not know. 1 have not read
your book"
Why should you? l hope you arc
going to make a pleasant stay IN
Italy
My destination is Rome-the Pal
azzo Pompiliani."
How interesting! And your faith
er, too, is well?''
Elizabeth choked back sob in the
darkness.
We'll? Yes, I trust he is well,
she muttered.
"And the old place looking as sweet
and charming as ever"
Here the two minds, looking out OF
mutual darkness. while the WIND
roared and the diligence shook and
swung above the precipices, saw both
the same scene. An English garden
in the flush of June nigh, ne" hedges
with banks of brilliant flowers heaped
against them.
There was a girl in white dress,
in a winter heat of passion, and
man who had accused her of coquetry,
standing a little away from her with
quiet eyes and determined mouth.
Manifestly it was lovers quarrel,
with the ending that is usual when
the love is only on one side and the
other belligerent has the advantage OF
being without a heart. Each OF the
minds in the coach summed up the ev-
idence in this manner and arrived at
an identical conclusion.
"And your cousin who had just got
his jacket in the Horse Artlllery:
said the man, Has he worn the jacket
much?"
Jim has distinguished himself in
Africa" said Elizabeth. mot your
part of Africa" she added, with
slightly wicked touch of scorn which
she knew to be unjust.
81 understand, by the way, IN my
long absence many changes amonS
friends may have taken place. have
perhaps blundered in addressing you
by your maiden name"
81 have encumbered myself with no
new styles or titles. And you-for
am not a reader of the papers Ia tlb,
for had she not read every review or
his bookD-you remind me that it is
probable you are no longer a bach
elor."
Writing a book in Central Africa
does not run to wooing.'
But your savages who are above
the average of the civilized? You
may never meet with such another op'
portunity."
"I intend to return to that society.
1 have only made flying visit home
to arrange with my publishers.
The travellers were clearly visible to
each other as the morning radiance
penetrated into the interior of the dill
igence. Each stole long, investi-
eating look at the opposite face and
figure. The woman found that the
man had grown bronzed and older,
and that his mouth had got harder
lines. The man saw the woman like
the pale and spiritualized sister of
blooming girl who had pliShted her
troth to him three or four years ago.
He noticed that her dress was black,
of that particular degree of somber-
ness which denotes the deepest
mourning.
She had no one but father" he
thought.
But just then the diligence came up
with a rush to the door Of the hotel
on the summit of the pass, and
stopped there.
will you allow me to assist you to
alight, Miss Wethered? Will you
give me your hand?'
Elizabeth put out her hand-a long,
slim hand, every line of which he
knew. He took it, and held it as
coldly as he was able. They stood
in the open dawn, with carnation-
tinted glaciers above their heads, and
the heavy green and purple draperies
of the huge pines loomei up out of the
abvsses of the earth-shadows that
still hung on the lower valleys.
You look cold and i'll. Come in
and rest while 1 order your coffee.
Put your feet to this stove. Let me
take your heavy hat. l see you have
no maid with you. Bear with my
clumsy attentions"
They had breakfast together, talk
ing carefully. as people will talk who
are both anxious to avoid painful
subject present to both minds. The
hour for the starting of the diligence
drew near.
The man looked at his watch.
Our ways part mere, ne SAID. we
have half an hour still. And now,
Elizabeth, as we may never meet
again, will you tell me-you who were
so kind to perishing fellow traveller,
thinking him stranger-tell me that
you forgive me for writing you that
abject letter."
Elizabeth opened her eyes wide and
gazed at him wonderingly.
What abject letter?'
THE letter l wrote you the day
after we parted
81 never got letter from you since
that evening""
You never got that letter."
Never, assuredly. What"
She checked herself.
What did l say in it, Elizabeth?
Only that l loved you-that | was
ashamed of my jealous words, and
prayed you to forgive me. | got no
answer. l thought you could not for
give. had never loved me. And
you--"
.1 +bouobt tho same" murmured