Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-12-18

and of Aniston. You would have me
go back, would you not?"
She looked up. smiling, and slowly
shook her head. You are blind
guesser," she said. Don't you think
l know what is in your mind? Not
Aniston. Hugh. Some time, but not
now-not yet 1t is nearer than that"
His eyes flowed into hers. You un-
derstand. Yes. 1t is here. This is
where l must finish my fight first.
Yesterday l would have left Smoky
mountain forever because you were
here. Now
81 will help you," she said. IAN
the world besides counts nothing ii
only we are together. l could live in
cabin here on the mountain always,
in forest of Arden, till l grow old
and want nothing but that-and you"
AS he did not answer, she faced him
with crimsoning cheeks; then, reading
his look, she suddenly threw her arms
about his neck.
Hugh" she cried, I'VE belong to
each other now! There is no one else
to consider. is there? l want to be to
you what l haven't been-to bear
things with you and help your
He kissed her eyes and hair. you
have helped. you do help me, Jessica"
he urged. But I am Jealous for your
love. 1t must not be offended. The
town of Smoky Mountain must not
sneer-and it would sheer now"
LET it,! she exclaimed resentfully.
"As If would care!'
But l would care" he said softly.
II want to climb little higher first"
She was silent moment, her fingers
twisting the fallen leaves. you don't
want them to know that / am your
wifeY
Not yet-till l can see my way"
She nodded and smiled, and the
cloud lifted from her face. You must
know best" she said. This is what
l shall do, then. shall leave the san
itarium tomorrow. The people there
are nothing to me, but the town Of
Smoky Mountain is yours. and must
be part of it too. l am going to the
Mountain Valley House. Mrs. Halo
ran will take care of me-" She sprang
to her feet as she added. II shall go
to see her about 1t now"
He rose and walked with her through
the bracken to the road. They came
out to the driveway just below the
trail that led to the Knob The
bank was high, and, leaping first, he
held up his arms to her and lifted her
lightly down. In the instant as she
lay in his arms he bent and kissed her
on the lips.
Neither noted two figures walking
together that at that moment rounded
the bend of the road little way above
They were Tom Fielder and DR.. Brent
Both men saw the kiss and instructive
ly drew back. The doctor noted now
the telltale flush on his companions
face.
I'VE have surprised romance" he
said as the two unconscious figures
disappeared down the curving stretch
who is the man?"
HE Is the one we have been talking
about
below here on the hillside"
Good Lord" calculated the doctor
What an Internal pity! What's hi:
Nance"
Hugh Stires."
'Stires?" the other repeated. "Stires
How odd" He stood moment, tap
ping his suit case with his stick. Sud
: denly he took the lawyers arm ant
led him into the sidepath.
Come" he said. Il want to shoy
you something"
He led the way quickly to the Knot
where he stopped. as much astonishe'
: as his companion. for he had know
, nothing of the statue. They read til
3 words chiseled ON Its base. The prod
lgal son." said Fielder
: Now look at the name on the head
!! stone" said the physician.
e Felder's glance lifted from the ston
to peer through the screening bushe
? to the cabin on the shelf below an
returned to the others face with quic
$ comprehension You thing
D "Who could doubt it? I will arts
/ and go unto my father The old man
q whim to be buried here had NEAR
{, Ing, after ALL The statue Is Mis-
}, Holmes work nobody in Smok
!: Mountain could do it-and I've see
lt her modelling in clay at the sanitariur
e What we saw just now is the key
what might have been pretty ridd
3, If we had ever looked farther tha
le cal and damnable propinquity. I'll
le ward has fallen in love with the blae
sheep"
n X