Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-08-21
CHAPTER" XI


voice Just then. His eyes had fallen
again. He was too dazed and, in truth,
too panic stricken now TO look at her.
though II pc had been quite sure that
she was part of a wonderful dream he
might have dared. She was seated be-
side him, and had handed him her par
asol In a little way which seemed to
imply that of course he had reached for
II, 10 that y wss to be seen how used
she was to have all tiny things done
for her, though this was not then OF his
tremulous observing He did perceive,
however, that he was to furl the dainty
thing He pressed the catch and let
down the top timidly. as IL fearing to
break or tear II, and as II closed, held
near his face. he caught a very faint,
sweet, spicy emanation from IL like
wild roses and cinnamon.
He did not know her, but his timid-
ity and a strange little choke In his
throat, the sudden fright which had
seized him, were not caused by en-
barrassment. He had no thought that
she was one he had known, but could
not for the moment recall. There was
nothing OF the awkwardness of that.
No; he was overpowered by the mira
Gle OF this meeting. And yet. white
with marvellng, he felt II to be so
much more touchingly greater happl-
ness than he had ever known that at
first II was inexpressibly sad.
At last he heard her voice again,
shaklng n little, as she said
IL am glad you remembered"
Remembered whatT he faltered.
''Then you don't" she cried. "And
yet you came"
"Came here, do you meanT
"Yes-now, at noon"
"Ahw he half whlSpered, unable 10
speak aloud. "was IL you who
said-who said: 'Rememberl Across
across -
"'Across Main street bridge at
noong" she finished for him gently.
"Yes."
He took n deep breath In the wonder
OF II. "where was II you said thatT'
he asked slowly. "Was II last nightT
'Don't you even know that you came
10 meet mer
'T-came toto meet-youw
She gave little plying cry, very
near a sob. seeing his utter bewllder-
ment.
'It was like the strangest dream In
the world" she said. "You were at
the station when came last night
You don't remember at ALP
His eyes downcast. his face burning
hotly. he could only shake his head.
Eyes" she continued. II thought no
one would be there. for l had not
written TO say what train l should
take. but when l stepped down from
the platform you were standing there,
though you didn't see me at frst-not
until had called your name and ran
90 you. You said. I've come 90 meet
you but you said II Queerly. l thought.
And then you called carriage for me.
Hut you seemed so strange. You
couldn't tell how you knew that was
coming, and-and then IL understood
you weren't yourself. You were very
quiet. but knew-I knewl SO l made
you yet into the carrlage-and-an
She faltered 90 n stop. and with that
shame itself brought him courage. He
NV sfht
her handkerchief 20 her eyes, but at
his movement she dropped II. and II
was not so much the delicate lowell
ness OF her face that he saw then as
the tears upon her checks
"Ah. poor boyr she cried. II knew!
knew
"You-you took me homer
- h.
answered. "Yes. took you home"
IL don't understand" he stammered
hnskily Il don't understand"
She leaned toward him slightly. look
Ing at him with great mtenmess.
"Iou didn't know me last night"
she said "Do you know me nowT
For answer he could only stare at
her. dumfounded. lie lifted an un.
steady hand toward her appealngy,
hut the manner OF the lady as she saw
the truth underwent an April change,
she drew back lightly. lie was Ia
yored with the most delicious low
laugh he had ever heard. and by some
magic whlsk which she accomplished
there was no sign OF tears about her.
"Ah, I'm sihu YOU te INC shihe, JoVs
she said. "You never would or could
pretend very we'll Tm glad you're the
same. and I'm glad I've changed.
though that isn't why yon have for
gotten me. You've forgotten me be-
cause you never thought OF me. Per
haps ! should not have known you IL
you had changed great deal as l
have"
lie started. leaning back from her
"Ah." she laughed. that's itl That
funny little twist OF the head you al
ways had. like alike a-weh yoa
know must have told you a thousand
times that Il was ike nice friendly
puppy. So why shouldn't | say 50
nowg And your eyebrowsl When you
hook Ike that nobody could ever for