The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-03

the scent OF her nalf got into his nos
/ trils. Then he discovered that common
pulse throbbed, throbbed, where their
palms were in contact. And when Freda
turned her head against his shoulder, her
hair brushing his cheek till MS eyes met
hers full and at close range, LUMINOSITY
soft, ay, and tender-why, whose tauit
was it that he lost his grip utterly! RAISE
) TO Flossie, why not to Lorraine? Even II
the women did keep bothering him, that
was NJ reason he should make up his
| mind in a hurry Why, he had s!athef5
OF money, and Freda was just the girl
| toy grace it. A wife she'd make him Tor
other men to envy. But go SLOW lie
must be cautious.
| You don't happen to care for palaces,
do you?''
She shook her head.
! 'Well. L had a hankering after them
myself till l got t. thinking, while
back. and I've about sized it up that
one'd get fat living in palaces, and soft
and lazy.
Yes. it's nice for a time, but you soon
grow tired of it, imagine she fastened
to reassure him. "The world is good, but
life should be many-sided. Rough and
knock about for while, and then rest
up somewhere. Off to the South Seas on
yacht, then a nibble of Paris; winter
| in South America and a summer in Nor
way; few months in England
Good society,"
| Most certainly-the best; and then,
heigho! for the dogs and sled and the
Hudson Bay country. Change, you know.
A strong man like you, full of vitality
end go, could not possibly stand palace
| for year It is all very well for etfem-
| mate men, but you weren't made for such
/ life. You are masculine, intensely mas
cuine."
Think so?"
'It does not require thinking. I know.
Have you ever noticed that it was easy
| to make women care for you?'
His dubious innocence was superb.
ct is very easy And why? Because
YOU are masculine. You strike the deep
est chords of a woman's heart. You are
something to cling to-big-muscled, strong
and brave In short, because you are a
man"
She shot a glance at the clock. 1t was
/ half after the hour. She had given Il
margin of thirty minutes to Sitka Char
| ley: and it did not matter, now, when
| Devereaux arrived. Her work was done.
She lifted her head, laughed her genuine
mirth, slipped her hand clear, and rising
to her feet called her maid.
| alice. help Mr.. Vanderlip ON with his
parka His mittens are on the sill by
tie stove"
The man could not understand.
| Let me thank you for your kindness,
Floyd. Your time was invaluable to me,
and it was indeed good Of you. The turn
| ing to the left, as you leave the cabin,
| leads the quickest to the water-hole. Good
night. I am going to bed
Floyd VanderIip employed strong words
| TO express his perplexity and disappoint-
ment. Alice did not like to hear men
swear, so dropped his parka on the floor
md tossed his mittens on top Of it, Then
| he made a break for Freda, and she ruin
| ed her retreat to the inner room by trip
ping over the parka. He brought her up
standing with a rude grip on the wrist
| But she only laughed She was not afraid
of men. Had they not wrought their
worst with her, and did she not still
| endure?
Don't be rough" she said finally. con
second thought" here she looked at his
| letaining hand. ''I've decided not to go
1
| comfortable instead of ridiculous. Any
questions?'
Yes. my lady. and reckoning too" He
still kept his hold. What do you know
about the water-hole? What did you
| mean by-nc, never mind One question
At time"
ooh, nothing much. Sitka Charley had
an appointment there with somebody you
| may know, and, not being anxious for a
nan of your known charm to be present,
ELL back upon me to kindly help him.
That's all They're off now, and a good
half hour ago
where? Down river and without me-?
And he an indiana
There's no accounting for taste, you
know, especially in woman"
But how do stand in this deal?' I've
ost four thousand dollars worth of dogs
| md tidy bit of woman, and nothing
o show for it. Except you, he added as
| IN aftcrthought, 'and cheap you are at
he price"
Freda shrugged her shoulders.
you might as well get ready. I'm go
ng out to borrow couple of teams Of
logs, and well start in as many hours. .
Il am very, sorry, but l am going to
ed
You'll pack if you know what's good
| or you. Go to bed or not, when | get
| NY dogs outside, so help me-, onto the
| led you go. Mebbe you fooled with me,
nut I'll just see your bluff and take you
earnest. Hear me?'
He closed on her wrist till it hurt, but
n her lips a smile was growing, and she
| eemed to listen intently to some outside
ound. There was a jingle of dog bells
| and mans voice crying "Haw" as a
led took the turning and drew up at the
abin.
Now Will you let me so to bed?"
AS Freda spoke she threw open the
Dor. Into the warm room rushed the
frcst, and on the threshold, CARRIED in
rail-worn furs, knee-deep in the swirlng
lapor, against a background of flaming
| boreahs, a woman hesitated. She re
moved her nose trap and stood blinking
'lindly in the white candle-light Floyd
VaEderlip stumbled forward.
Floyd" she cried, relieved and glad,
nd met him with a tired bound
What could he but kiss the armful Of
| IRIS? And a pretty armful it WAS. nest