Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-01-03

Il am glad you told me so frankly,
Bess,' was the quiet reply. "Fll--Tll
come over again some other day, that
is, If you'll save day for me, when
Mr.. Thorndike isn't there" he could
not help adding.
"Of course 1 WILL" SAID Bess, ig-
noring his last clause. For a moment
there was a silence, while Hal looked
into her eyes as If to read her inmost
soul. At last he said: "Well, I'll wish
you happiness when the time comes"
adding sadly, "if it's got to be. 1 sup
pose am not qualified to set myself
up as a judge of him, so I'll say not a
word; only-well, pleasant ride, Bess
dear"
"Good-by, Hail." she replied, smiling
kindly. But instead of chirruping at
once to Dolly, she paused a moment
and putting out her hand again i'm
pulsively, added: "You know, don't
you, Hal, you will always be my old
chum?"
Eyes, suppose that's something"
he said, grlmly, "but now off with
you! Good luckl Oh. say. Bess. I'll
watch for you on the seat with my
glass, shall t.
Eyes, do. And I'll wave my hand
kerchief," she called over her Shout
der
For a full minute he watched her
yearningly. Don't be an ass" he
muttered to himself, squaring his
shoulders. 1.-THE fellows probably all
right. You're sore yourself. that's all.
Bess wouldn't mind your being poor.
Only she's known you too long to care
for you, except as chum. You're a
very lucky man to have had such a
chum so many years. Here's luck.
Bess. old girlr
He drank an imaginary toast grave
ly. facing the direction she had taken.
Then he slowly paced homeward, lean
| ing heavily on his stick. Half an hour
| later he was sitting under the apple
| trees in his own yard, from time to
! time looking through Il pair of field
glasses toward the perpendicular red
| cliff. which eliminates in the pinnacle
already describSu.
Meanwhile. Bess g&hoped swiftly,
but less merrily. toward the crossroads.
| Something now seemed amiss. Even
the impact of her horses hoofs upon
the high road had a less assured sound.
She wondered vaguely whether the
wind had not become chill, and she re
membered afterward looking up at the
cloudless sky TO see if it had become
overcast Presently, however, Edgar
Thorndike put his bay alongside Dolly.
and the ride up the steep incline had
begun.
The morning was exhilarating and
the climb absorbing. yet Bess found
it difficult to shake off the depression
| which possessed her Conversation
tagged, except fer conventional COM
ments by her companion upon the
beauty of vistaed glimpses of the val
! ley which from time 70 time obtained
- length the summit vas reached and
the horse tethered among the saphngs.
II am never tired of this view
said Bess. after moment OF silence
Il used to come here as child. But
please don't stand on that loose earth
so near the edga"
Two days later Bess rode into Halls
apple orchard. Seeing him in his re
clining chair on the lawn, she dis
mounted and walked toward him. Fol
some reason, as she took his outstretch
ed hand. Noted his wan smile and
heard his pleasant. We'll. Bess:' she
found it hard 10 speak. Finally she
said softly: Hal. I've come 10 tell yot
what you weren't able to hear tbs
other day. hardly know how 10 say
it. though You see. when Mr.. Thorn
dixie slipped down TO that creyice int
which he could just get one foot and
one hand. I thought. If Hal We're onll
here. You see my first thought wa:
OF you Then 1 remembered that yog
, sam you would be watching us A
first that didn't help NE any. but al
OF sudden l recalled the day yol
taught me the signal code. 1t was =