Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-01-10

II she's really good, as you say she Is. hap
piness Is bound to come TO you both In time
u feel II WILL"
THANK you.' he said gratefully its
been such q comfort to tell you everything.
I cant believe that I never set eyes on
you before today feel as II I'd always
come to you with my troubles. Perhaps I
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, was feeling vaguely comforted
his words had given her n sense Of useful
ness that was 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.
dc you know. you're not a bit like
other girls he went on thoughtfully: II
that? II only she was poor or alone,
there'd be some consolation in 1t all. /
i iook nf9sr her. could sSs n s,ys her n things hing .S and
crowds OF friends and admirers. aud she's
written a book lately that's brought her In
a fortune In fact. she's better off than l
am. and that's saying a GOOD deal. You
aren't clever. are your
"I wish / we're" '"" :" sign
II don't!, he said emphatically; and
they were silent again.
q mile, and then. after a little vancouver
ing, they grounded, and he fastened the boat
to an overhanging tree. and helped her on
AS they stood a moment beneath the
shade Of the thick branches to cool before
unpacking the fateful hamper. a Canadian
canoe giided past from an opposite direc-
tion.l
They watched It IaziIy.
1t contained likewise two people--a man
and a woman. The woman put down her
parasol just as they passed, for the sun
and Tara caught a glimpse Of her face. It
was "A face to rivet attention, and matched
the tall. perfectly dressed figure to which it
one that to many people would have been
far more attractive il was full Of resolu-
ton thn and dignity 9 and quite .ndi u with
hood. The man, who seemed to he somewhat
her junior, had a dreamy wrapt expression,
Tara thought, as II he had something on his
mind, One paddle. brushed the dropping
branches Of the willow In passing; neither
of the two appeared to be attending much
to their course. or caring where the little
craft carried them they were talking quick
~ ana earnestly.
The man spoke softly. but the woman's
voice was peculiarly clear and penetrating.
One Of her sentences came quite distinctly
to the loiterers under the tree as she was
borne past.
you see. Harold, he cares. 1t would be
80 different II he didn't. ! ought not to have
allowed you TO come to-day; 1t was weak
of me. Only"
And they passed out OF earshot.
Tara turned towards her companion,
smiling rather mournfuily;
'The river seems full Of romances and trag-
edles to-day. doesn't It? How wretched they
both looked I"
But her companion did not answer he
was engaged In executing a violent and fan
the glow Of Joy. indispensable; he had
man into a crazy schOolboy.
Tara snatched the hamper out OF his way
and backed precipitately.
SIS anything the matter? Has--has
something stung you?" she cried nervously.
Still he capered. his antics growing wilder
"0h, she doesn't understand I" 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. VIII
you please7 At once. II you don't mind
we can lunch anywhere. I'm of to town
Why, I don't believe she sees It a bit even
and--and I'm going to call on you to-mor-
row 4 you'll let me; and III explain more