The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1902-1905, 1905-01-13
THE MANY
LIVED GOD

valley and the river twisting and turn
/ ing shimmering course many feet be-
low. Far across the valley on the 9th
er side of the river the pine covered
slopes made a cool. green vista in the
July sunshine.
The man toiled slowly up one of
these paths, pausing occasionally TO
mop his perspiring brow and to curse
deJectedly the blackberry vines which
now and again clutched his trousers.
I The girl came up the other path, hold
ing a fluffy parasoI 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 moment and then
said, half in annoyance. half In EN-
barrassment, "OhT
The man turned about, beheld the in
truder and with a cough-the mascu-
line haven of refuge at such time
resumed his study Of the green tints
in the valley below. The girl looked
irresolutely at the man and with equal
irresolution at the path she had just
travelled Then she sat down, with no
irresolution whatever. beneath one OF
the scraggy frs. The tension Of the
silence became oppressive. 1t was the
girl who broke it.
81 desire to be alone" she said, with
imperious GOODNESS.
The man turned slowly.
you seem to voice my own ideas"
he said.
why don't you leave, thenT' she
asked.
He smiled with calm insolence.
Because" said he, Il 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 hills, over
which fieecy bits Of white clouds drift
ed lazily. Her parasol was tapping
neryously an exposed root Of the fir.
"Do you mind telling me why you
came up here this afternoon she ask
ed
For the same reason q murderer Is
drawn to the scene Of his crime, BY
some horrible fascination, suppose
he explained.
The girl smiled grimly.
'You admit it was a crime, thenY'
"Mea culpa. mea culpa." he said;
inca most heinous culpa"
She frowned Its scarcely humor-
GUS" she chided.
at Is tragic" he declared. He turn
ed to her suddenly and his face was
grave. why did you conner" he asked
II 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 dead3" he asked.
quite So" said she. "As a murder
er you're decidedly effective"
Are you sure" said he, at isn't
stunned or shamming? Are you GER
tain it won't come to life againf'
The girl sighed
L. ah set
with touch Of sadness in her voice.
II thought" he remarked, that love
had as many lives as a cat-that one
might cruelty maltreat 1t and yet 1t
would survive"
There is limit to all things-even
the forbearanee Of love" she said
The man swung his legs over the
brink, and his brow was drawn into a
puzzled frown.
I'm terribly afraid there's a spark
Of life yet" said he. 1T would be
frightful to bury the poor chap alive.
1t seems to me we should try resuscI-
tation first"
I'm afraid it's too late" she said
coldly. 1T is far easier to destroy than
to resurrect."
"Quite so, quite So" said he uneasi-
ly. "Oh, l say" he burst out contrite-
ly, you don't really mean it's all of.
You don't mean you'll let that misera.
BILE tiff Of yesterday morning end ev-
erything. do your"
The girl arose
Il came up here to be alone" she
said. 1T Is evident ] must seek soil
tude somewhere else"
He jumped TO hts feet
"I'Ii 60" he said. You may have the |
cliff to yourself. But before leave /
want to ask a favor. When you bury |
the dead, you'll not forget 1t entirely, |
will you? You'll remember that for a |
day-for day
He stopped and looked at her.
"Oh, we'll" he said contr4tely. "it |
was all my fault anyway. / have no |
right to ask favors. Goodby."
He moved down the winding path. |
The blackberry vines caught at his |
clothes, but he forgot to cure them. |
Halfway down the path he heard rap
ID footsteps behind him He turned |
and beheld the girl hurrying after
him. Her face was crimson, and her
eyes refused to meet his.
What's upY' be asked Der cheerful
ly.
oh" she said. I'll tried TO bury
him, and he wasn't-oh. can't you IN
derstandT
They wended their way back to the
little rocky cliff and sat down togeth-
er. They were ehattering happily.
Il did really think I had done IL that