The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-12-30
ed half in dismay. half in delight.
M hnIlr aSfnniShnd

his fine face smile of sympathy and /
not derision, she noticed. Then he /
reached section and removed his hat /
Il beg Harry Stillwell by the !
gods immortaln'
For an instant they looked at each |
| other in silence, Harriet's eyes-before
she got them under control-sparkling
and dancing over this unexpected
meeting.
/ Then she laughed outright well.
Ray, don't you think we better shake
/ hands?'
Perhaps" He held his out gravely,
and to Harriet the knowledge came
with shock of wonder that the face
she could read so well was not ex-
pressing unalloyed pleasure at sight of
her.
Il thought you were at home, Har-
ry," he remarked resting his elbow
on his knee
"You thought | was at homer
echoed Harriet blankly. 'Why, Ray
mond Merrill! Where have you been
all this timer" Her eyes were under
control now.
spot on the window. Lets see, l
went to North Woods in-August
wasn't it,"
Yes, it was directly after the even
ing when they had their last talk,
such a logical talk-on her part-she
considered it. She nodded and allow
ed a distant view of Pixies Peak to
absorb her attention.
'Well I've not been back since then
scarcely heard from home, in fact"
CThen he did not even suspect she was
running away from him! She felt I'M
accountably defrauded) 1--WE been
. all over the west, fishing and hunting.
By the way, Harry, l just shipped a
pair of elks antlers back to you from
Denver. If you remember. promised
, them to you long ago."
7 She leaned forward eagerly. ooh,
Ray, l do believe l saw them on the
> platform! They are beauties. Thank
e you l can scarcely wait until l get
a home to have them put up"
n Again she was struck by his strange
t reserve Three months ago his face
e would have glowed over her enthusi
r astic thanks.
t The grooms head lay against the
i back cushions very near his brides
" He was speaking low, and she was
r smiling and pulling at her gray muff.
Quite ilogically the sight brought {
r. lump into Harriet's throat. They were
$ silly, Of course, to act that way-but-
d if only Ray would be his old self
s. Then she Strangled the thought anC
IS took fresh hold of herself
=, "And you?" Ray was saying.
y "Oh, r. Her tone was lightly flip
k pant why. I've been-since Angus
e. rambling too. Can't say I've hunted
b. but I've fshed and ridden and explorer
from northern Montana to here"
s what for?'
a Harriet's chin went up, and her ton
e. became more flippant. what quee
IN question. But if you want reasons, fol
S tunatelys can control the price of
1e few railroad tickets. Being past twer
ct ty-fve and accounted discreet. l ca
Id travel alone. | intend to see the ives
y and love my independence"
p The last assertion escaped her invo
= her lip But Ray did not vince Fl
| merely looked at her intently.
| Harry, I believe | can sympathi2
! with you in that independence bus
l ness. I've been enjoying a taste Of il
! dependence myself for the first time
| seven years"
! Harriet looked her Amusement. Ra.
i mond Merrill was a very model Of il
81 dependence to his friends-independe
of family ties. independent in incom
HI in health in habits What do yo
III mean?" she inquired directly.
y Ray did not reply at once. He W;
VI looking across the aisle again. tt
Y bride had bent her face over a boo
n which she held upside down. while
pair of bearded lips almost against h
u cheek were whispering. Unexpected
q Ray turned and smiled into Harriet
III eyes, with flash of his old self
Z Disgusting, isn't itY' she said has
/ lily to cover a sudden helpless conf
81 sion which sent the blood throbbil
NJ into her temples.
NJ 81 rather enjoy watching them" 7
q turned Ray quietly. THAT chap Loo
s. as though he expected to attend pc
petual Thanksgiving service. and she
ii well, it looks as though she was sat
M fed"
n watch them on journey ten yea
| from now and see If she's satisfied
70 Harriet retorted, furious at herst
for giving the conversation such
nj. tactleSS turn.
od. well, what would you see?' cha
The lenged Ray.
,cb THAT novel will be right side up
+en 81 hope So" coolly. Il should e
his pect companionship of ten years
az rob the situation of some of it's NO
ss. city"
a And the groom, enveloped in Gig
smoke and a newspaper, will occu
ion the smoker"