Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-07-20
CHAPTER XVII.


Ia contained and very gentle.
"you must 60 to Sleep" he said at
once 81 will watch. / want to Deg
your pardon for Selling Munro IN your
presence. but it was necessary poth
for his sake and to prevent bloodshed'
/ saw no other chance OF disarmlng
him. hope you will excuse my harsn-
ness in sending you away"
"You need not apologize. under'
stood" she answered. "What have
YOU done with him?'
"Kelly has taken him away out OF
danger. Have any of his men called
for himT'
Eyes. one, but he rode away again
Have YOU any further news|
Something is going on in Bozle.
could hear cheering, and / thought l
could distinguish the galloping OF
horses. Whatever is coming, my duty
is here, and now let me take you 10
Nora"
"No. no! l can't sleep now. My
brain is whirling with this nights
events. l feel as if were about 10
witness some great storm, some catas-
trophe. Sleep is impossible tonight.
He turned with low voiced intensity.
"What can do to repair the injury
have done you and yours? When 1
left Barnett's home 1 was resolved
never to re-enter your life again. l
honestly tried to get away from LOUIS
and to take myself absolutely out or
your world
She interrupted him with a gesture
of protest. "You must not blame your
self-it had to be. Do you believe In
fate?"
81 do not, nor in luck" he answered
slowly.
'Neither do 1, but 1 believe in com
pensations. Since 1 came up here L
have worked out theory of life I've
been happy here. That should comfort
you" -.
at would only I cannot rid myself
of the thought of what you have sacr1-
feed to be here. Each day has plung-
ed you deeper into this lawless barDa-
rism."
'There is where my theory helps
me. Ones life has a general average.
NY life had no real value to me nor
to any one else till came west. Pleas
ures come to me now when | least ex-
pect them. That is wonderful thing
to me. l thought / had lost all power
to wildly enjoy, but l haven't. so
you see am net accusing you or any
one. l have only reason to be thank
full, if only no harm comes to Louis
or my friends here. l shall not COM
plain"
at is very sweet of you to try to
tighten my sense of guilt" he replied
gently. "But / cannot absolve myself
SO easily. can understand your theo'
nv. but cannot understand how you
find disappointment. You have ev'
erything to make you happy"
She went on: Il am by heritage q
worker. l know that now. My fathers
people were active and calculating
folk, and my life in the city was I'M
natural. I've been deliciOusly hungry
and weary since I've been here-life
seems restored to it's balance. You
have done me good-you and splendid
old Matt and sweet Nora"
He sprang from his chair and raced
her. you mustn't talk to me So" ne
exclaimed, almost harshly. Il shall
forget my promises and say forbidden
words to you. You unseat all my g0od
resolutions"
She heard, but ignored his passionate
words A sort Of mental and spiritual
recklessness had seized her. "All my
life in the east and in the old world,
everything in the past, seems gray, as
if covered by mist. The realltles
seem to be here. / feel grateful to
you, and l want to ask favor OF
you"
Anything you ask, except renewal
of my promise Of silence"
She hesitated before the rising storm
of his love. II want you to let me-
Louis and me-help rebuild your NINE
"What do you mean"
"It's so simple You and Matt need
money. / want you to take Louis into
your mine as a partner Hush!' she
warningly whispered as the sleepers
head moved on his pillow. IF he lives
he will want to work with you. II ne
dies must help you for his sake"
"He will not die. He will live. Bu'
you-Ann, there is something back Oh
this, He laid his strong hands upor
her shoulders, looking into her face
with such piercing passion that sht
shrank and grew timid. "You neet
me? Is that it? Am / one OF YOU
compensationsW
She tried to smile. '"That would no
be fattering, according to my theory"
He refused to be diverted Il dom
care what your eastern world thinks
of me if only you are content with me
I accept your theory. deserve com
pensation-some sweet return for m!
lonely, loveless life on the plain. vii
you come? Is that what you meanT
He was master now, stopping at nj
polite bar. II will not let you go til
you speak your mind" His phys1ca
hold on her arms softened, but hi'
spiritual self closed round her. "Si1
months ago / was rancher In thu
foothills, and you were in a great east
ern city. We were as wide apart as th'
poles. Now, here we are! l don't un
derstand it. This l know-you ar
here and can't let you go. l accep
your offer to go into the mine, but no
for Louis sake. 1 do it for my owl
sake because / want you to be m.
partner-my wife. What do you say