The Van Buren press., 1903-10-31

soJourner mere. ! can learn no
than that" ~eN
That will be sufficient" criesn
Again that deep flush swept o. a
face of the girl, but neither sawn u
Il must go now. Don" ssia
consulting his watch. MY aeH.
waiting by this time. You sec u
hunting and | climbed the hill ~ 'as
better view of the valley. GoosWNs
And Avery waved his hand and S~.
away.
But his coming had served IN !,
matters to crisis between thess ''s
who had known silent companio,'" v"
for three long weeks. Elda I,
watched Avery until he was lost ,o-sa -.a
Then she arose and turned toward ~ NV
aid. 1t seemed TO him she was ahor' De'
speak, and he was hardly sprr..
when she addressed him. NT
81 must beg your pardon" Oh.
'for the deception l have practIced say
you ~'
"You understand" she cop,,,.
that did not foresee | should hoss'
an eavesdropper. | saw you comirS
the hill that first day. and not yjsbip,qr
retire or be disturbed, | acted on Tho ~ !"
pulse of the moment, and"
May ask. Miss Leigh, he said a,,.
you should undeceive me on this wy -.
last day together?"
Il thought 1t just possible that =.
night meet again, some day, and ~.
you would learn the truth, and perb.,.
have less charity for me than II tJm,s.
a confession now"
She believed he would seek her M,
aid thought, otherwise she would rr
have feared meeting him again. Heh,5
chosen to take refuge from his awkvas
position In cold reserve. He knew s,v
advances made at this time would /.
premature.
Shall | wait and carry your easslr
he asked, as he was about to pass hs,
on his way down the hill.
mo, thank you" she replied, Qulckh,
81 am not going for some time yet"
II was summer time and the balmys Al,
was laden with perfume OF counties
flowers. The country hotel was crowded
with guests. II was situated among ,bs
AdirondaCks, near a silvery lake, which
bore upon It's bosom great fragrant wats,
lilies that quivered with each rippls
There we're several artists among ns
guests, drawn there by the wild pie.
turesque scenery. Elda Leigh was one
OF them.
One day among the late arrivals 81,
saw Donald Grosyenor When they me,
he bowed with cold politeness and mw.
INJURED something that sounded like an
unexpected pleasure" After that she
saw him every day, but she took no no.
. tice Of him except TO give him careless
nod or smile each morning, and he, ID
/ turn, never addressed her. Though Ella
tried so hard to appear Indifferent to bis
coldness, she felt the sting Of ltneyerthe.
less, and hardened her heart against him
The climax came one evening about
I four weeks after Donald's advent to tht
hotel. The whole party Of guests, With
the single exception Of Elda Leigh, bad
| gone down TO the lake to watch the moon
rise over the water, Donald, having
missed Elda, returned at once to tht
hotel Standing In the doorway for an
| instant, he beheld her sitting on tht
| piazza, gazing straight before her Sht
was IN such deep reverIe that she dbl
see him until he was by her side. Sht
was startled into speaking then
81 thought you went with the Others
she said
He did not answer, but took seat be
side her and gazod toward the lake al
utterly oblIyious Of her presence,
There is a much better view from
here" she said to cover her embarrass
ment.
still no answer
Presently, from sheer nervousness
the embarrassing situation, she droppe
her fan, and before she could reach Y
get It, Donald had picked It up and re
stored It to her.
Thank you" she said, and RAISED hs
| eyes for moment
But Donald only shook his head grave
ly and pointed TO his lips and ears, q
she had done on the day Of their fr
meeting The hot blood mounted TO Do
checks, and her violet eyes darkene
with anger. Never again should Shelf
humllIated In HIS presence because
her conduct last autumn,
She rose 10 her feet, her head bel
high, but Donald had placed himself
her way, and before she could pass hll
had caught her hands and was ookln
into her eyes with an eager gaze, as
searching her very heart Their Nv
souls met and recognized each other
their prolonged gaze, Then, with
slow, deliberate movement, in whlc
there was much tenderness, he drew D
into his arms, Prairie Farmer