Evening journal., 1905-01-13
THE MANY
LIVED GOD

small rocky shelf. The place com
manded an excellent view Of the level
valley and the river twisting and turn
ing a shimmering' course many feet be
low. Far, across the valley on the 9th
er side Of the river the pine covered
slopes made cool, green vista in the
July Sunshine.
The man toiled slowly up one Of
these paths, pnusing occasionally to
mop his perspiring brow and TO curse
leJected1y the blackberry vines which
now and again clutched his trousers.
The girl came up the other path, hold
ing a fluffy parasol in so spiritless a
fashion that the sun streamed full up
on her brown head.
The man reached the rocky shelf
first and seated himself on the very
edge, with his legs dangling over the
brink. A few mOments later the girl
arrived on the scene. surveyed the
mans broad back n moment and then
said, half ia annoyance half in en-
barrassment, "Ok"
The man TUNED about. beheld the in
truder and with a cough-the mascu-
line haven Of refuge at such a time
resumed his study of the green tints
in the valley betow. The girl looked
irresolutely at the man and with equal
irresolution nc the path she had just
Travelled. Then she sat down, with no
irresolution whatever, beneath one Of
the scraggy frs. Iche tension of the
silence became oppressive. 1t was the
girl who broke It.
81 desire to be aloney shessaid, with
imperious GOODNESS.
The man turned slowly
"You seem to voice nIyEown ideas"
he said.
"why don't you leave, then2' she
asked.
He smiled with calm insolence
Because" said he, 81 wish to be
here. Besides, this is my puddle. /
found It first"
The girls eyes narrowed and she
pursed her Lips.
"This particular nook is Of my dis
covering, kindly remember" said she.
Possession is nine points Of the
law" he returned.
! The girls eyes looked across the
valley TO the ragged line Of ldlls, over
which fleecy bits of white clouds drift
ed lazily. Her parasol was tapping
nervously an exposed root Of the fir.
"Do you mind telling me why you
came up here this afternoon sheask-
ed.
"For the same reason a Murderer is
drawn TO the scene Of his crime, by
some horrible fascination. 1 suppose"
he explained.
The girl smiled grimly.
''You admit Il was n crime, thenT
"Nlea culpa, mea culpa,' he said;
'mea most heinous culpaw
She frowned. "Its scarcely humor-
GUS" she chided
1T is tragic" he declared He turn
ed TO her suddenly and his face was
grave. "Why did you Gomez" he asked.
Il wanted to be-to be alone with
my dead" she said, almost wistfully.
He Strengthened up. His tone was
eager
you're sure it's dead?" he asked.
"Quite So" said she. GAS a murder
er you're decidedly effective"
"Are you sure" said he, ut isn't
stunned or shamming? Are you GER
tain It won't come to life againT
The girl sighed.
ut is dead-stone dead" she said,
with touch Of sadness in her voice.
81 thought" he remarked, that love
had as many lives as n cat-that one
might cruelty maltreat 1t and yet 1t
would survive"
"There IS a limit to all things-even
the forbearance OF love-" she said.
u The man swung his legs over the
brink, and his brow was drawn into a
puzzled frown.
"Pm terribly afraid there's spark
OF life yet" said he. 1T would be
frightful to bury the poor chap alive.
It seems to me we should try resusci-
tatlon first"
"Tm afraid it's too late" she said
coldly. 1T is far easier to destroy than
to resurrect."
"Quite so, quite So" said he uneasi-
~. "Oh. / say" be burst out contrite-
ly, "you don't really mean it's all or.
You don't mean you'll let that misera.
bic tiff Of yesterday morning END ev-
, erything, do your"
The girl arose.
Il came up here to be alone" she
i said 1T is evident / must seek soil
4 tude somewhere else"
He jumped 20 his feet.
a "I'n 60" he said. you may have the
= cliff TO yourself. But before 1 leave ]
want to ask a favor. When you bury
! the dead. you'll not forget it entirely
J will you? You'll remember that for q
day-for a day
h He stopped and looked Mt her.
ooh, well" he said contritely, '1
y was all my fault anyway. l have M
- right to ask savors. Goodby."
Re moved down the winding path
f, The blackberry vines caught &C hi
clothes. but he forgot TO curse them
I, Halfway down the path he heard rap
ID footsteps behind him. he turne,
n and beheld the girl hurrying afte
him. Her face was crimson, and he
n eyes refused to meet his.
d "What's up;' he asked her cheerful
ly.
If ooh" she said, I'll tried to bur.
him. and he wasnt-oh. can't you IN
,f derstand?"
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