Free press., 1907-01-12

if she's really good. as you say she is. hap
piness is bound to come to you both in time
Il feel it will"
THANK you," he said gratefully; Its
been such a comfort to tell you everything
I can't believe that I never set eyes
you before today feel as if I'd always
come to you with my troubles. Perhaps
did in some other planet-who knows? One
gets queer ideas sometimes when one lives
all alone with Nature and niggers."
Tara laughed a ringing, girlish laugh
she, too, feeling vaguely comforted
his words had given her sense of useful
ness that quite new and delightful
She felt her accustomed energy returning.
When she got back to Portland she would
begin to look for work, and never stop till
she found it, and the memory of this day
should abide with her forever; to be taken
out secretly and enjoyed in the prosaic
days that were to follow.
They were pulling down a backwater pre-
paratory to landing for lunch.
do you know, you're not a bit like
wonder how many other men have told you
that? If only she was poor or alone,
could-Oh! l could give her things and
look after her, and perhaps in time she'd
crowds of % friends an and % admreps, @ and sbes gGs
written book lately that's brought her in
L
am, and that's saying a good deal. You
aren't clever: are you?"
'I wish I were
81 don't!,' he said emphatically; and
they were silent again.
So they shot for another quarter of
a mile, and then. after a little maneuver-
TO an overhanglng tree, and helped her on
shade of the thick branches to cool before
unpacking the fateful hamper, a Canadian
canoe glided past from an opposite direc
They watched it lazily
1t contained likewise two people-a man
and The put down her
parasol just as they passed, for the sun
had temporarily disappeared behind cloud,
and Tara caught glimpse of her face 1t
was face to rivet attention, and matched
the tall, perfectly dressed figure to which it
belonged not a girlish face exactly, but
that to many people would have been
far more attractive; it was full of resolu-
tion and dignity, and quite beautiful with
the beauty of mature, Commanding woman
hood. The man, who seemed to be somewhat
her junior Or, had dreamy wrapt % expression ,
Tara thought, as if he had something on his
mind One paddle brushed the dropping
of the two appeared to be attending much
to their course, or caring where the little
craft carried them they were talking quick
The man spoke softly, but the woman s
One of her sentences came quite distinctly
to the Ioiterers under the tree as she was
different if he didn't. ought not to have
allowed you to come to-day; it was weak
And they passed out of earshot.
Tara turned towards her companion,
smiling rather mournfully.
81 wonder who cares?' she said softly.
1.-The river seems full of romances and trag-
edies to-day. doesn't it? How wretched they
both looked 20
But her companion did not answer he
was engaged in executing violent and fan
tastic cake walk. Over his face had come
the glow of joy inexpressible; he had
changed quite suddenly from careworn
man into a crazy schoolboy.
Tara snatched the hamper out of his way
and backed precipitately.
as, anything the matter? Has-has
Still he capered, his antics growing wilder
every minute.
"Oh, she doesn't understand" :" he gasped.
"Bless her innocence, she doesn't under
stand. OH thank heaven, for all unstable
claret bottles, thank heaven for every
thing! They've gone home. I'm going
home, too. Get back into the boat, will
you please? At once, If you don't mind
we can lunch anywhere. I'm on to town
Why, I don't believe she sees it a bit even
now Never mind, I'll explain in the train
and-and I'm going to call on you to-mor-
row if you'll let mel and III explain more
still"