The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1904-04-07

tons remained IN allegiance while out
wardly for three days Harry Tborp
occupied himself only with the needs
Of the Fighting Forty at Camp One
He was vaguely conscious of grea
peace within him. a great stiffness o
the spirit.
Little by little the condition changed
The man felt vague STRINGS of curios
ity. He speculated amlcssly as Il
whether or not the glade. the moon
light. the girl, had been real or merely
the tigments of Imagination. Almos
Immediately the answer leaped at hin
from his heart since she was so Ger
tainly flesh and blood. whence did she
come? What was she doing there in
the wilderness? His mind pushed the
query aside rs unimportant. rushing
eagerly to the essential point. When
could he see her ugain? His plncidity
had gone. That morning he made some
vague excuse to Shcarer and set out
hlindly down the river. And So with.
out thought. without clear intentions
even. he saw her again. 1t was near
the pole TRAIL" which was less like a
trail than Il rail fence.
When the SHOWS are deep and snow.
shoes not che property of every man
who cares to journey. the old fashioned
pole trail' comes into use. 1t is mere.
ly series Of horses built of timber.
across which thick Norway logs are
laid about four feet from the ground
TO form continuous pathway. In
summer 1t resembles nothing so much
as thick one rail fence of considcra-
ble height, around which a fringe of
light brush has grown.
Thorpe reached the fringe of bushes
and was about 10 dodge under the
fence when lie saw her. So he stopped
short, concealed by the leaves and the
timber horse.
She stood on knoll in the middle of
a grove of monster pines. There was
something Of the cathedral in the spot
The girl stood tail and straight among
the tall. straight pines like a figure on
an ancient tapestry. She was doing
nothing just standing thcre-but the
awe of the forest was in her wide.
clear eyes.
In m0.nent she stirred slightly and
turned. Drawing herself to her full
height, she extended her hands over
her head, palm outward. and with an
indescriDably graceful gesture bowed a
cercmoniOUS adicu 10 the solemn trees.
Then, with Il little laugh she moved
away in the direction of the river.
At once Thorpe proved Il great need
OF seeing her again. In his present
mood there was nothing of the awe
stricken peace he had experienced aft
er the moonlight adventure. He want.
ed the sight of her as he had never
wanted anything before. The strong
man desired il. And finding it impos-
sible he ragged inwardly and tore the |
tranquillitles of his heart.
So IL happened that he ate hardly at /,
all that day and slept i'll and discov- /
cred the greatest difficulty in prcserv- |
ing the outward semblance of ease .
which the presence of Tim Shearer |
and the Fighting Forty demanded.
And next day he saw her again, and |
the next, because the need of his heart |
demanded it and because, simply .
enough, she came every afternoon to /
the clump of pines by the old pole
trail. But now curiosity awOke and
desire for something more. He must
speak 10 her, touch her hand. look in
10 her eyes. He resolved TO approach
her, and the mere thought chokcd 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
intention. As he hesitated he saw that
she was walking slowly in his direc-
ton. Perhaps hundred PAGES sep
arated the two. She took them de-
liberately. Her progression was Sc
ries of poses. the one which melted
imperceptlbly into the other without
appreciable pause of transition.
In 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 child
ike down-dropplng mouth parted a
title more, and the breath quickened
through IL. But her eyes, her wide,
rusting, innocent eyes, sought his and
'ested
He did not move. One ON either side [
4 the spike-marked old Norway log of |
he rrail they stood, and for an appre- {
liable interval the duel of their glances {
asted-be masterful, passionate, ex- I
gent; she proud, cool, defensive in the =
loofness of her beauty. Then at last Z
lis prevailed. a faint color rose from !
er neck, deepened and spread over her /
ace and forehead. In a moment she I
rooped her eyes u
Don't you think you stare little G
udely, Mr.. Thorpe?" she asked.
The vision was over. i
How did you know my name| he T
sked. c
She planted both elbows on the Nor h
ray and framed her little face deli v
Iously with her long pointed hands. II
IF Mr.. Harry Thorpe can ask that )
nestion," she replied, "he Is not quite e
} impolite as had thought him. ii
How is thati'' he inquired breath /
ssly. Ia
Don't you know who amp she 0
sked In return.
nswered ridiculously enough.
She looked straight at him. This time =
Is gaze dropped