Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-24
CHAPTER X-Continued.

The early twilight was coming on. AS
1t grew darker the whole sky toward Cher-
ry Run turned to dull brick red The
smoke hung on the ridges like fog ana
the air was full of flakes of charred leaves.
The rain had not quenched the fire; 1t was
burning as fiercely as ever. The dark came
on early. 1t was evident that the black
clouds had rolled up again. The WIND
howled about the old structure, and roared
on the ridges. Despite the afternoons
shower it was a dry, sultry WIND, the
breath of a weeks scorching weather. The
fire by the brook was almost unbearably
warm but 1t was needed for cheer and
companionship. 1t was an eXcellent chape-
ron too, and young Jim kept 1t going stead
lily. He sat on an old pine block near H.
and she perched precarlousiy on the siap
heap near the door.
The conversation conferred about the hre
AMI their escape, then wandered TO other
fires and other escapes.
.Ttd Won ever hear" she asked solemnly,
.of the time when the fire came down IN
the night through Heiler's Gap and threat
ened the valley!
And you don't know what stopped 1t?
NO I've never heard of It
ut got as far as the black ring aroulio
the old cabin and didn't cross IT. ,,.
and the valley people of course though
Ii was supernatural
Some did" ,. zo,,,,
Won see It was? That short, green stun
that grows around the cabin don't burn
easily -
what makes 1t grow there?'' She was
hooking over at him half reproVingly.
"Oh. it's some sort of wild grass. l spose
It was sowed there some time?
But why don't the snow lie on 1t?
II haven't seen but what 1t does It's
possibIe that the sun comes in onto IL IN
a curious way and melts it quicker. It's
on the south slope, you know, and under
the rocks. A.
north side, no matter now deep 1t may oe
elsewhere.
The stories about that old house are really
laughable."
It: and YOU know about what he heard the
other night-he and DAM?
.Pshaw! You don't seriously believe
there's anything supernatural about that
old house: now, do you? He looked over
at her laughingly. Il ddn suppose that
ANYBODY nowadays really believed in ghosts
until came into the valley mere never
dreamed of such a thing.
Amos don't believe In en-
mo. but 1t makes all the difference in the
world who you're with he and all the
rest of you have been thinking about this
thing so long that you're nervous. and you
actually imagine you see and hear things.
but Amos isn't nervous
s'Weli. I know this-that every region has
wouldn't think of believing in such things
can be found by the dozen to say they
have seen the ghost. Now, do you know
Tom and l watched there three nights
running after the last scare and never saw
or heard thing out OF the way! It's all
superstition. you take my word for it,
..Perhaps So" she said doubtfully. Then
for some reason silence fell between
them After @ time he glanced shyly In
her direction. She was leaning far for
ward toward the fire. her elbows in her
lap her chin in her hands, gazing denure-
ly into the flames.
The picture thrilled him-the dim back
ground of hemlock and rhododendron In
which the shadows played fitfully, the tot
ter!ng old mill family outlined and the girl
with the freight In her hair. He gazed
at her rapt and breathless. 1t was the
moment OF moments for confession-the
man and maiden miles and miles from all
other human life, the steep encirciing
ridges-a little world. and only they two.
A Wild impulse seized him. but he crushed
1t instantly He would make no avowal
now. She was with him wholly by acct
dent: II had been against her will. He
had the advantage, but he would not use
It. Not one look or one word OF love to
himself, and he could. He would seek her
some other time when she was free to do
her whole will, and he would pour out his
heart as man should.
sIIonesick? he asked, with suspicion
of fun in his voice.
..Not 4 bitr' she said scornfully Bat
think how they are worrying down home
They won't sleep wink. win theyT'
Cant blame them IL they don't. but It's
nothing we're to blame for
Il think TIL so in now. she said SOL
suood-nisht.r he said. and she disap-
He threw on more wood and took his