Gilpin observer., 1905-01-26
Perhaps I'd better take the sun.

shade" / suggested.
She did not answer at once; then,
''lf you wish it," she replied nonchal-
emily, though it's of no consequence"
l took the sunshade and waited.
Chloe's two feet We're now on the low
est bar. She peered over. The stile
let down beyond in a big drop into a
kind of hollow or ditch.
"Oh" said she. Il didn't" ]
was still waiting.
II wish you'd go on and not stare in
that atrocious way" said she, with as
perity.
l begged pardon, vaulted the stile
with one hand and strolled on. Pres
emily looked back Miss Bohun was
seated astride the top bar, clingine
with both hands to it. Her face was
deeply flushed.
do so on" she called out, vehem.
emily. l went OH leisurely. But, some
how, could not make up my mind to
| walk briskly. She did not join me. so
| l flung myself on the grass and pulled
out cigarette. Then l heard my
name called in distressful voice. l
stood up and looked <around. Miss Bo-
hun was stride the top bar and she
was pinker than ever.
please come-don't be so unkind.'
she cried, with tears in her voice. l
| hurried back like the wind.
"Oh, just give me your hand" pant
| ed Chloe, nervously lifting one from
| the bar. Il can't-it's such long
| drop. l can't get my"
wait bit" said I, considering.
You're half way over now. You've
only got to lift that foot off the bar
! and
II shall go over. I know I shall go
over" she said. pnthetically.
mo, you won't" said 7. ut only re-
quires confidence. Imagine you're on
| Il horse. and"
But l don't ride horse this way"
said Chloe. miserably.
NO. said I. but men do: and wo-
men are just as good as"
ITS cruel of you-it's beastly. when
I'm in such peril!' sobbed Miss Bohun.
She clutched wildly for me with the
seized it and her.
"Now, just lift that foot" enjoined.
Chloe's weight lay limp on my shoul-
der.
II can't get it free. It's stuck" she
said pitifuly. 1 moveu closer, still
with my burden on my shoulder, and
loosed the dainty foot. NOW" l said.
She lifted it gingerly. Don't mind
your ankles" l said.
"Oh, but am" Her foot went
back. shut your eyes, please she
en.reated. l shut my eyes. The next
instant the weight on me was doubled
and two arms went stranglinSly
about my neck. AS have explained,
the foothold descended into the hol-
low. l went down precipitately on my
head. l saw several corn fields and
two or three stiles: also more than one
Chloe. But l seemed content to be
there. Miss Bohun eXtricated herself
quickly.
"Oh. are you hurt? Oh how dread
full of me- she said. "Oh, please do
speak,"
Il liked it." said, "and Tn only
hurt in one place.
"I-you frightened me- she said.
with n serious little laugh. I'm so
sorry. Is it your head?"
l shook it and sat up. "No, luckily
1 was born thick headed"
"YOur-your knee" she inquired
again. hesitatingly
Certainly not my knee" I replied.
"Then-" Chloe turned away. She
might have asked further questions,
but she didn't. She was busy smooth
ing her skirt. 81 can't think why they
make such horrible things" she said.
"Oh. but any woman can get over
stile," told her. She made no reply.
but turned right away. please" l
called, won't you help mo up?'
Miss Bohur turned back reluctant
ly. l made Il face of pain.
ITS your anlle:" she said. with sud
den anxiety. / WINGED and took her
hand. and then I was on my feet, with
that hand in mine.
NO, it's here" / said in n lower
voice, laying my hand on my heart.
1T was here long ago" l drew her
to me.
DO you always do that to people
you help over stiles" asked Chloe. be-
tween smile and sob.-H. Il. Mar
r.ott-Watson. in the Sketch.