Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1906-09-26

was getting we'll along IN the after
noon. She had had Il long day In the
woods, and now she had to face a ten
mile walk to town unless some II
came along who would give her a lift.
In spite of the memories that clus-
tered about the spot she decided that
she would remain and walt for some
thing to turn up.
Presently a grocery cart came rat
Ting along. and Edna hailed the driv-
er. He refused her proffer of money
and sprang down to help her to the
sea The sprig of arbutus she pinned
In his ~buttonhole was a greater reward
than any fee she could give, and he
was sorry when n mile beyond a sec
ond %wayfarer hailed him. asking for Il
ride.
AS the man turned at the sound of
the wheels Edna gasped. She had
supposed Jack Masters to be out west
somewhere. yet here was he or his
double standing In the muddy road.
"Do you mind? ~ asked the boy apol-
ogetically as he heard the anticipated
request. There's room on the seat
for three"
mot at ell" said Edna, wondering
II her cheeks were as red as they felt
The next moment Masters sprang te
the seat.
For the 1rlt time he seemed to real
lie who the second occupant Of tho
wagon was. Edna" he cried. what
are you doing hereT'
at have been out after Wild flowers"
she explained. THE day was so tempt
ing l could not stand the city
Ibid you go to the old placer" he
asked quietly.
The arbutus Is thickest there" she
said. 1T guess 1t was about the old
hill"
81 was out there day before yester-
day" he said. Somehow felt that I
would like to go back to the old place.
You remember that that was where
where
"It Is not necessary to be more spe-
cifc," said Edna severely. sit Is not
nice to rake up unpleasant memories
The next moment she was penitent
and longed to tell him how sorry she
was for all that had occurred, but Jack
was looking out over the fields now,
and he did not catch the CLINT of tears
In her eyes.
He vas thinking of the promise she
had made him when they were gather
ing the arbutus together and how they
had agreed to gather the arbutts the
next spring as husband and wife.
Somehow the memory of 1t had
brought him back from the cactus and
sagebrush of the western plains. He
had felt that he must come back-that
perhaps In the springtime she would
zee things with clearer vision. He had
hoped against hope on his long journey
across the continent, and now at this
unexpected meeting, she had snubbed
him.
1t was several minutes before he
could command himself, but when he
turned to her again 1t was with an i'm
passive face and some comment upon
the destruction Of the power house.
Edna felt hurt. Why should she care
when he seemed to feel SO little regret?
Her penitence vanished, and instead
there came an elfn desire to tease.
For q moment he seemed hurt at her
fippancy; then he rallied and met her
mood. Beneath his smiles there lay a
bleeding heart, but he did not show his
hurt, and the Indifference reused Edna
to further flights until she was almost
insolent.
He bore with her patiently, but when
at last the boy drew up at the outskirts
and announced that he had to turn off
to his store Jack sprang to the ground
and caught her In his arms as she
sought to jump to the ground without
his assistance. Just for a moment they
shared the fragrance of the arbutus
that was crushed between them; then
he released her with a sigh and fell
into step beside her.
81 do not need your escort" she pro-
tested when 1t became apparent that
he intended to walk with her.
you have to pass through a rather
tough quarter of the town before you
reach your home" he said quietly. 81