Arizona republican., 1904-10-23

Come" he said at last.
 She arose Obediently.
 Follow close behind me-" he ad- vised.
 "Yes." said she.
 They set off through the greenery, it opened silently before them. Barbara looked back. It had already closed silently behind them, shutting out the episode forever. The little camp had ceased to exist; the great, ruthless, calm forest had reclaimed its own Nothing was left.
 Taen she noticed he had stopped and was looking at her in deprecation and was holding aside the screen of moose naples. Beyond she could see the familiar clearing and the smoke of the Maxwell cabin.
 She had slept almost in sight of her own doorstep.
 Please forgive me" he was saying. T meant 1t only as an interesting lit tie adventure. IL has been harmless enough. surely-to you"
 His eyes were hungry. Barbara could not find words
 "Good-by." Fe concluded. "Good-by. You will forgive me in time-or for get which is much the same. Believe me. if have offended you, my punish ment is going to be severe. Good-by.'
 "Good by" said Barbara a little breathlessIy. She had already for gotten the trick. She could think only that the forest. the unfriendly forest, was about to recall her soon. Good by" he repeated again He should have gone. but he did not. The situa- ton became strained
 When are you coming to see me e?'' she inquired at length, T shall be here two weeks yet"
 Never" he replied
 What do you mean?" she asked, after a moment.
 After Painted Rock, the wilder ness" ne explained almost bitterly. The wilderness and solitude for many years-forever!"
 'Dor't go until tomorrow" she urged.
 T must"
 ''Why2'
 My mission fails" he replied.
 They stood silent. Barbara dug tiny holes with the tip of her parasol.
 And that is ruin % she asked softly, without looking up.
 'I have struggled hard for many years The result is this chance"
 ~I see" she replied, bending her head lower. Tt would be a very fool ish thing for you to staY then. wouldn't 1t ?" He did not reply.
 But you are going to, aren't your she went on in a voice almost inaud'- | ble. You must not go like that ask you to stay" Again a pause. "I cannot" he replied.
 She looked u9. He was standing | erect and tall. his face set in the l bronze lines of resolution, his gray | eyes leveled, straight and steady be- yond her head. Instantly her own | spirit flashed.
 ~I think now you'd better go." she 1 said superbly.
 They faced each other for a moment Then Barbara dropped her head again | extending her hand
 You do not know" she whispered | T have much to forgive" He hesitated. then touched the tips | of her fingers wigh his lips. She did not look up. With a gesture which she did not see, he stopped to his pack and swung into the woods. | Barbara stood mOtionless. Not a line of her figure stirred. Only the chiffon | parasoI dropped suddenly to the ground.
 After a time she lifted her head and blinked bravely at the sky. She raised | the parasol and slanted it over her | shoulder. and drew one of it's tiny bead like rib ends across her face [ Then she began eIaborateiy to saunter through the clearing. playing out 10 herself and to the solemn stum2s a brave Etle tragedy that she was happy.
 He might have stayed" she parried the question. Tt would only have been polite. after tricfing me so. ] | do not think it was very nice Of him. % 4 pOrcupine trundled out from the | edge of the forest. and paused to rec Ohnoitre. She did not notice him. | She was trying to see. T suppose I am unreasonable to ex- | pect him to ruin his chances. Bar baTa conceded thoughtfully. But he might have seemed little sorrier about it''
 'I wonder if he really cared to see me again. pursued Barbara T don, | suppose he thought much about it ' Most men would have. But he is diff l ferent from most men" She threw ur | her head proudly at the comparison | He has big things to think of; biz | things to do. He is strong and brave" | Her eyes sbone with the splendor oi