Courier Democrat., 1904-07-28


ed a voice from within.
Without word, but with deadly
earnestness, Thorpe reached forward,
seized the astonished servant by the
collar, yanked him bodily outside the
door, stepped inside and strobe across
the hall toward a closed portiere whence
had come the voice. The river mans
long spikes cut little triangular pieces
from the hardwood floor. Thorpe did
not notice that. He thrust aside the
portiere.
Before him he saw a young and beau
tiful girl. She was seated, and her lap
was filed with flowers. At his sudden
apparition her hands few to her heart,
and her lips slightly parted. For a
second the two stood looking at each
other, just as nearly year before their
eyes had crossed over the old pole trail.
To Thorpe the girl seemed more beau
tiful than ever. The red Of this vio-
lent unexpected encounter rushed to
her face. her bosom rose and fell in q
duttering catch for breath, but her
eyes were steady and inquiring.
Then the butler pounced on Thorpe
from behind with the intent to do great
bodily harm.
"Morrisr commanded Hilda sharply,
"what are you doing?"
The man cut short his heroism in
confusion.
"You may CO." concluded Hilda.
Thorpe stood straight and unwinking
by the portiere. After a moment be
spoke.
II have come to tell you that you
were right and was wrong" said he
steadily. "You told me there could be
nothing better than love. In the pride
Of my strength told you this was not
so. was wrong"
He stood for another instant looking
directly at her, then turned sharply
and, head erect, walked from the room.
Before he had reached the outer door
the girl was at his side.
"Why are you going?" she asked.
II have nothing more to say"
"Nothingy
Nothing at all"
She laughed happily to herself.
"But l have-much. Come back"
They returned to the little morning
room, Thorpe's calked boots gouging
out the little triangular furrows in the
hardwood floor. Neither noticed that.
"What are you going to do nowy'
she catechised, facing him in the mid
die Of the room. A long tendril of her
beautiful corn silk hair fell across her
eyes; her red lips parted in faint. visit
ful smile; beneath the draperies of her
loose gown the pure slender lines Of
her figure leaned toward him.
Il am going back" he replied pa
tiently.
Il knew you would come" said she.
Il have been expecting you. oh. Har-
~" she breathed, with sudden fash
OF insight, you are a man born to be
much misunderstood"
He held himself rigid, but in bis
veins was creeping a molten fire. and
the fire was beginning to glow duly in
his eye. Her whole being called him.
And still she stood there before him,
saying nothing, leaning slightly toward
MIN, her red lips half parted, her eyes
nxed almost wistfully on his face.
Go away" he whispered hoarsely Mt
last. The voice was not his own. "Go
away! Go awayy'
Suddenly she swayed to him.
'Oh. Harry, Harry" she whispered.
must tell you? Don't you sect"
The flood broke through him. He
seized her hungrily. He crushed her to
him until she gasped; he pressed his
dps against hers until abe all but cried
out with pain Of it; he ran his great
brown hands blindly through her hair
nuh 1t came down about them both In
. cloud Of spun light.
Tel me!' he Whispered. TELL mey'
eOh. oh!' che cried. '.Plaasel what
le1t1"
Il Do not bslsvs II" h murunussd
A1agsv.