Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-07-17

lays it in his.
He holds it, presses it with con-
vulsive grasp, his face white and
haggard, and with an irresistible i'm
pulse raises it to his lips; but with a
shuider she draws it from him. and
covering her face with it, turns away.
He stands a moment looking at her,
as a man might look who sees the
one great good of his life fading from
his sight; then, with a gesture Of in
finite grief and despair, he springs in
to the saddle and rides away.
May does not break into a passion of
tears.
She hears the sound of his horses
boots growing less distinct each mo-
ment-knows that she has let him go
when a word might have held him;
knows that he has said is last farewell,
and that by her silence she has re-
linouished him to her rival--but she
cannot weep.
She simply leans upon the gate and
looks at the stars twinkling family in
the sky. and listens with a benumbed
sense of some swiftly-vanished delight
to the nightingale that pours out it's
plaintive song above her head. How
long she stands cOmmuning with the
echo OF the fierce, despairing voice,
calling up the memory of his pale, bag
gard face, she knows not.
A step BEND her arouses her; a
voice says at her side:
lis that you, Miss Dalton?"
She turns with a faint smile-it is
Graham Gordon. the vicar.
81 wondered whom it could be-" he
says, and his voice betrays his pleas
ure at the recognition. What are
you doing-stargaz
"Yes," she says, with a smile of self
mockery. 81 am starLgazing!"
And she thinks CT the star that has
fallen from her view forever
Something in he voice strikes upon
his ear, that has grown sensitive to
her every tone.
"It is rather late," he says, looking
at her anxiously. 'Tt does not do to
trust these spring evenings too i'm
plicitly. You should have wrap
about your throat"
81 do not feel cold," she says; but
faint little shudder passes through
er. us it late? / promised to
meet Carrie in the Manor Field-ske
has gone UP to tie Hail."
Il met her scampering up the vii
lage half an hour ago." he says. "She
said she had missed you"
Half an hour ago!" she echoes
can they have been talking half an
hour!--"I did not know it was so late
-I-have been thinking"
He looks down at her as she walks
ut his side.
Sometimes l have an idea-you will
not be offended?"
She looks UP at him. striving to col
lect her thoughts, and give him her
attention.
offended! No, why should I be?"
81 don't know. I am always fear
full that I may offend you. was go
ing to say that I am afraid you think
TOO much"
She smiles.
One cannot help ones thoughts"
she says, slowly.
''But you should not give way to
then," he responded Sometimes when
I am looking at you fancy that-that
your thoughts are not too happy. Is
that 500"
His voice drops almost to a MUIR
mur as he looks at her, and his eyes
seek hers with tender usefulness.
May laughs, not bitterly, but YEARLY.
"One cannot direct ones thoughts"
she says; eff one could And she
stops.
He does not press her to fill up the
pause, but he touches her arm in a
protecting, reverential fashion.
"Will YOU put your handkerchief
around Your neck?" he says. cit is
colder than you think"
She laughs, but she obeys him.
You would almost make me believe
that am delicate" she says, where
as am quite ridiculously strong"
Are you?" he questions. II am not
quite SO sure OF that; | have seen you
look anything but strong at times
ooh, you are quite wrong" she re-
torts. at is Carrie who is delicate, if
either of us; I have to take care of
her. Had she a shawl on when you
met herr"
He mods with a smile
Eyes, your shawl; I recognized it in
moment"
Another woman would have noticed
the significance of the little admission,
but May smiles innocently and blindly.
They pass out of the lane and under
the shadow of some trees, and May
stumbles slightly in the sudden dark
ness.
will you take my arm?" he says;
and he takes her hand and draws it to
his side.
How soon the twilight fades" she
says. Carrie will think I am lost.
hn ho+ CHI hod T.