The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-08-15

| =" AeA as sne ~ Tie ldInp ana, Stretch-
Ing upon tiptoe, turned out the gas
mo-" she continued, seated again and
looking across the desk at him, II
wanted to see you at the first possible
opportunity, but what have to say
"Wait," he interrupted. "Let me tell
you why did not come yesterday"
"You need not tell me. I know"
She glanced at the chair which had
been occupied by Mrs. Fear. IT knew
last night that they had sent for you"
"You didv' he exclaimed. "Ah, un-
derstand! Sam Warden must have told
you"
eyes," she said. 1T was he. And I
have been wondering ever since how
he heard Of it. He knew last night,
but there was nothing in the papers
this morning, and until I came here
heard no one else speak Of it. Yet Ca
naan is not large.''
Joe laughed. It wouldn't seem
strange if you lived with the Canaan
that I do. Sam had been downtown
during the afternoon and had met
friends. The colored people are a good
deal like a freemasonry, you know. A
great many knew last night all about
what had happened and had their theo-
ries about what might happen today in
case the two men met. Still, you see,
those who knew also knew just what
people not to tell. The Tocsin is the
only newspaper worth the name here.
But even if the Tocsin had known of
the trouble it wouldn't have been like
~ to mention it. That's a thing I
don't understand" He frowned and
rubbed the back Of his head. "There's
something underneath it. For more
than year the Tocsin hasn't spoken
Of Beaver Beach. I'd like to know
why"
"Joe," she said slowly, "tell me some
thing truly. A man said to me yes
terday that he found life here insuffer-
able. Do you find it SOP
"Why, nov' he answered, surprised.
"Do you hate Canaan?'
| "Certainly uot!''
"You don't find it dull, provincial, un-
sympathetic"
! He laughed cheerily "Well, there's
this,' he explained: II have an advan-
tage over your friend. see more in
teresting side Of things probably. The
people live among are pretty thor
ough cosmopolites in a way, and the
life lead''-
II think begin to understand lit
tie about the life you lead" she inter-
| lot -
Canaan?"
"Of course not"
She threw him quick, bright, happy
look, then glanced again at the chair
in which Mrs. Fear had sat. "Joe," she
said, 'last night I heard the people
singing in the houses, the old Sunday
evening way. It took me back sou"
Eyes, it would. And something else.
There's one hymn they sing more than
any other: It's Canaan's favorite. Do
| you know what it is?''
us it Rescue the Perishing?"
"That's it. Rescue the Perishing!'"
he cried and, repeating the words
again, gave forth peal of laughter so
hearty that it brought tears to his eyes.
| NcSCuC luc c11SuluS:
At first she did not understand his
laughter, but after a moment she did
and joined her own to it, though with
certain tremulousness.
1T is funny, isn't it," said Joe, wip-
ing the moisture from his eyes. Then
all trace of mirth left him. Els it really
you, sitting here and laughing with
me, Ariel?'
1T seems to be-" she answered in a
low voice. I'm not at all sure.''
"You didn't think yesterday after.
noon," he began almost in a Whisper
"you didn't think that had failed to
come because r. He grew very red
and shifted the sentence awkwardly
II was afraid you might think that
was-that I didn't come because ]
might have been the same way again
that was when-when met you al
the station?''
"Oh, nov' she answered gently. "No
knew better"
"And do you know" he faltered
chat that is all over? That it car
never happen again?"
eyes, know it," she returned quick
".
"Then you know little Of what
owe you"
mo, no." she protested.
EYES," he said. you've made tina
change in me already. It wasn't hare
1t won't be-though it might have
been Tiff you hadn't come soon.''
"Tell me something" she demanded
III these people had not sent for yo1
yesterday, would you have come t
Judge Pixies house to see me? Yor
said you would try She laughed :
little and looked away from him. &c
want to know If you would hav'
Gomez
There was silence, and in spite O
her averted glance she knew that h,
was looking at her steadily. Finally
"Don't you know?" he said.
She shook her head and blushet
family.