Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-05-08

her. back, too,
sounding strangely to her, colorless,
monotonous voice.
He had freed her. She remembered
that somebody had asked him TOPPER
haps herself. That was well. She
needed to breathe to summon strength
and common sense, find out what had
been done, what reasonless madness
she had committed in the half light Of
the silver stelnmed trees clustering in
shameful witness on every hand.
Suddenly, the hot humiliation Of 1t
overwhelmed her, and she covered her
face with her hands. standing, almost
swaying. as wave on wave of incredu-
lous shame seemed to sweep her from
knee to brow That phase passed after
awhile Out Of 1t she emerged flushed,
outwardly composed. into another
phase, in full self possession once
more, able to understand what had
happened without the disproportion Of
emotional exaggeration. After all, she
had only been kissed. Besides. she
was novice, which probably account.
ed In a measure for the unreasona bic
emotion coincident with caress to
which she was unaccustOmed. With
out looking up at him she found herself
saying coolly enough to surprise her.
self: II never supposed was capable
Of that 1t appears that am. ]
haven't anything to say for myself ex-
cept that feel fearfully Inundated
Don't say anything now. | do not
blame you: truly do not. 1t was con.
temptible of me-to do it-wearing
this She stretched out her slender
left hand. not looking at him. 1T was
contemptibler' She slowly raised her
eyes. summoning a.! her courage 10
face him.
But he only saw in the pink confu'
sion of her lovely face the dawning
challenge of a coquette saluting her ad.
versary in gay acknowledgment OF his
feeting moment Of success. And as
his face fell. then hardened into
brightness. instantly she OWNED how
he rated her and in a fash realized her
weapons and her security and that the
control of the situation was hers, not
in the control Of this irresolute young
man who stood so silently considering
her Strange that she should be
ashamed Of her own innocence. willing
that he believe her accomplished in
such arts, enchanted that he no longer
perhaps suspected genuine emotion In
the swift, confused sweetness of her
first kiss.
"Wby do you take 1t SO seriously"
she said, laughing and studying him,
certain now of herself In this new dis.
guise.
DO you take it lightlyT' he asked,
striving to smile.
az? AS must, you know. You
don't expect to marry me, do you, Mr..
Siward?"
"I''- He choked up at that grimly
for awhile.
Walking slowly forward together she
fell into step frankly beside him, near
him--too near TRY to be sensible"
she was saying gayly. 81 like you SO
much. and it would be horrid to have
you nope. you know. And besides,
even If cared for you there are rea-
sons, you know-reasons for any girl
to marry the man am going to mar
ry. SO, yol see, / could not marry
you even If I"-her voice was inclined
to tremble, but she controlled it;
would she never learn her role?-
seven IL loved you"
Then her tongue stumbled and was
silent, and they walked on side by
side through the fading splendor of the
year. exchanging no further speech.
Toward sunset their guide, hailed
them, standing high among the rocks,
"a Silhouette against the sky. And be.
yond him they saw the poles crowned
with the huge nests of the fishhawks.
marking the last rendezvous at Osprey
Ledge. ~.