The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-06-07
CHAPTER XL
Continued.

with Saranne in his arms, they were a
thousand times more rough and un-
ever now they were in the cart, bump
ing along.
For the driver was anxious to get to
his own cottage, and he urged the
horse to make as much haste as was in
the power of an animal that was by
constitution a slow goer and plodder-
and, consequently a philosopher.
He, sitting in front on the shaft, and
humping up and down as though that
were his natural way of life, did not
see his passengers. but he heard them
cry out to him merrily to Stop, stop,
stopT
BY that time Saranne was pressed
close to Walters side-for no other rea-
son, of course, than that if he moved
away from her the billionth part of
an inch something dreadful might oc-
cur.
"You really" said Walter, "for the
sake of our bones, must so a little
slower"
Thereafter they logged along at a
more sober pace the driver being
soothed by the promise of an extra
shiling), but Notwithstanding this i'm
proved mode of progression, which re-
duced to zero the chance of falling out
of the cart, Saranne was still pressed
close to Walter, and his arm was
. around her waist.
Perhaps experience had taught Wal
ter that it was well for a man to be
prepared for sudden shocks when he
is riding in a rough cart over rough
country roads with a pretty girl by his
side.
1t was a glorious sunset, and at Lit
tie Make-Believe's request the driver
pulled up so that they could ascend a
hill and look at it.
The evening was still and peaceful,
and the young people were for the
most part silent, as they gazed at the
wondrous color of the western skies;
but now and then a whispered word or
two from Walters lips reached Sar-
anne's ears.
AS they rode along again they
watched the sinking Of the can through
the lacings Of the distant trees; the
fiery shadows, gliding hither and
thither, seemed to be imbued with life.
Lower sank the SUD, until not the
faintest line of arc could be seen;
darker grew the dusky shadows until
not a trace Of restless light remained.
And night was with them.
Peaceful and beautiful. They were
quite silent now.
Not a word from their lips, only now
and then a soft and happy sigh.
The driver with the prospect of an
additional shilling, and another on top
of that--the additional promise having
already been given by Walter-sat con-
tentedly on his shaft, smoking his pipe.
So amiable was he that he went a lit
lie out Of his way to show them a great
haystack, to which a match had been
wickedly put in the morning by a
drunken laborer smarting under a
grievance against his master.
It resembled an ancient castle, with
turrets and towers and Gothic arches.
The fire was still smouldering in the
ruined building. Sudden lights ap-
peared and disappeared; flaming shad-
ows glided over the surfaces; columns
crumbled to white dust; lurid windows
shone everywhere amid the blackening
patches; the walls bulged inward;
with a silent crash, vast pieces Of the
ceiling fell to the ground, sending
myriads of sparks, in a furious rush,
upward to the skies.
Onward once more through the
peaceful night, leaving the fiery wreck
behind them-past tall trees which,
with dark clouds hanging over them,
seemed of monstrous height through
narrow lanes dotted with familiar
landmarks-past a pond covered with
water lilies-skirting the footbridge
they had often crossed-nearer and
nearer home till the cottage lights ap-
peared.
In accordance with Walters wish,
the driver had brought them to within
a hundred yards of their door.
He was well paid for it, and giving
them goodnight, set his horse going,
jumped on TO the shaft and jolted
homeward, whistling.
A hundred yards was not far to
walk, but it took a long time, the pace
being so very, very slow.
Perhaps the circumstance that Sar-
anne and Walter had joined hands as
they walked had something to do
with it.
This love palming is accountable for
much.
No one knew of it but themselves;
Little Make-Believe was on Walters
left, Saranne on his right, so that it
was his right hand and her left which
were softly infolded n within the
other.
1t is necessary to be correct in the
endeavor to explain why they were
such an unconscionable long time
walking those hundred yards.
In the middle of the night Little
Make-Believe awoke.
Her face was turned to Saranne,
who, with her back to her sister, was
leaning on her elbow, gazing at some,
thing she held in her hand.
On the chair by the bedside was a
lighted candle.
1t was the light which had aroused