The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-02-09

down on the Dr1nk OF an OiQ stone quar-
ry. She was swinging her small French
heels and throwing stones into the blue
water far beneath when somebody be-
hind her whistled q we'll known strain.
She answered before she thought and
then started, almost losing her balance.
and olutched at the bank to save her
sek. Her face was hot, and she feat
some one seize her from behind. for It
bad all happened too quickly for her to
be frightened Jack dragged her back
and then lifted her to sitting gesture.
She scrambled to her feet and faced
him.
What do you mean by sitting on the
very edge Of a place like thatT Jack
questioned a1grily. Suppose the bank
crumbledY'
She looked at him. wistfully at frst
and then her glance turned wrathful as
she saw nothing but anger tn bis face.
II was all right until you came and
frightened me-"
II whistled to let you know was
coming and you answered" he retort-
ed
Il presume your coming to this espe-
cial place was purely accidental. Like
your advent In this town. she re-
marked sarcastteally.
mot quite" he confessed Il fol-
lowed you because I wanted to talk to
you. Sit down and cool off,"
She reflected that this was her first
opportunity to make him sorry, and she
sat down gracefully, while he aeranged
himself at her feet and searched plot
of clover for a lucky omen. She took
OF her white duck hat and let the wind
rud1e her thick. fair hair. he looked
up at her meditatiyely.
"You have more freckles this year
than you had last" be announced
"Yes," she agreed, land more sense
II imagine your experience has
taught you something" he reWarked.
She sat up. This was not teaching
him to be sorry.
Ethel" he asked suddenly, "you
burned all my letters, didn't your"
'+Of course did, But her heart beat
furiously as she thought Of the night
before.
II supposed you had" he said "I
only wanted to make sure" He put his
hand absently to the pocket Of his blue
serge coat. "You see, love letters after
there isn't any more love are such ASST
nine things" be explained; 'Just twad-
de-"
yours were rather twaddly,r she ad-
mitted; "at least the ones had. But
they're burned"
Again be felt In his pocket. She saw
the gesture and misinte1preted It.
Light It II you like" " she said
Light TT Ah, yes," said he, drawing
the pipe from quite another pocket.
She watched him fill It, frowning lit
tie at the tobacco pouch, which was
one she bad given him. He leaned over
to strike match.
"Your bald spot Is certainly much
larger than It was last gear" she re-
marked critically.
'How observing you arev' he drawled.
Then he turned suddenly.
'eWill you love me when Pm bahT
he sang.
":As much as I do now," she an
swered meaningly.
Not as much as you did last nightT
he Queried.
"Last nightw she echoed, the blood
rising to her face. ''What are you talk
ing about?' He turned again and took
letter from bis coat pocket, holding
It up where she could see the address
In his writing, Miss Ethel Herriot"
Her heart beat wildly. The envelope
was worn and old looking. He drew
out the sheets of thin paper. There
were biisters - fresh blisters - upon
them.
Ethel sat paralyzed. The tears rolled
down her cheeks, and she did not try
to wipe them away. Her fingers dug
into the grass on either side.
"Poor old letter. he said pityingiy.
How did you escape the names!
Then he heard a sob from Ethel. He
turned He saw the tears, and mental
IL he called himself a cad He had
never seen Ethel cry before.
Ethel" be said "I'm a brute, but I
don't mean to be. I came out here to
tell you that I love you better than
ever and to own up that I was wrong
and to ask you to take me back to your
favor. Ethel" he had her In bis arms
DOW, "Ethel dear, you do love me,
don't your
Take It out on Tim, dear, for It was
his fault He brought the letter and
dropped It at my feet. And then I
knew that you had been doing just
what I've done nearly every night for
a year, reading over the old letters.
Ethel, aren't you glad-a uttle-that
Tim found the letter?'
And Ethel's answer, though mufaed,
seemed to satisfy him. They went
slowly home.