Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1908-12-04

AEAhIMENlS.
her duty in August, but to have Ray
run away from her, why, it was I'M
thinkable!
sit sounds harsh, l Know" the man
went on steadily, but you asked for
an explanation and" obstinately, 81
intend to make it in all its badness.
But as | don't care to shout it into the
face of a car full I'll take the liberty
of sitting beside you"
He suited his action to the word, and
Harriet's fingers laced themselves to-
gether with spasmodic strength as he
spoke close to her ear.
Lets see, Harry. It's just seven
years ago today that l gave my first
bachelor Thanksgiving dinner, and
you were there. Do you rememberY'
She nodded mutely.
"From that day towel, our last
talk, l have known no independence
of your will. l have served for you
faithfully seven years.
Harriet's finger nails pressed into her
palms, and her breath came irregular
ly. He went on:
ut was my study and work to win
you, and to that end l ordered my
life. You were worth 1t, Harry, had
seven years won you. l have no word
of blame for you. I'm not discussing
your side of the situation now, but my
own"
The girl beside him remembered,
with a pang of regret.
ftT3o, nootN1u frusr~ - - - -.
Up in the woods last August | deter
mined that my happiness should no
longer be dependent on YOU
Ray suddenly broke off and looked
at her. Her eyes wavered and fell be-
fore his. Dow in her throat was a
sob she was striving to keep there.
For the first time the mans voice
softened.
You'll think 1t harsh, but l have set
out to tell you the whole truth about
my new determination. have thought
you the sweetest woman God ever
made, but in order to achieve my indie
pendence l am unthinking that'-the
sob forced itself high in Harriet's
throat-"and I fully intend''-
NA6Nlh HC OIOAt vi anu RIuI1cpu
across the aisle. The bride was look
ing into her husbands eyes with a
face trimming over with love and
trust. Ray drew a long breath, and
his voice faltered when he spoke again.
Il want a home, not endless bache-
lor apartments, and love returned as
well as given. and when I've achieved
my independence l shall seek them
again" He ended abruptly, with a lit
tie gesture acros the aisle.
'Ray!" The sob broke out with the
word. "Ray!" 1t was a sob which
shattered seven years of logic, doubts.
questionings, and left her woman's
heart pleading for love.
Instantly a big tanned hand lay on
the cushion between them, its palm
turned up in mute asking, and the next
moment 1t closed wei a small one that
dropped into it With a quick passionate
movement. a very abandonment of Civ
ing.
Sweetheart, l was a long way from
achieving my independence" whis-
pered Ray, and the pressure of the
fingers within his answered him. Har-
riet's face, flushed, tear stained, happy,
was close against the window.
"Some way 1t was the sight opposite
that gave me courage-not a silly sight,
Harry. dear
A vehement shake of the head
against the window proclaimed her
suddenly altered views, and then, de-
spite tears and bushes, she glanced
around at the couple across the aisle.
The man was answering a chance ac-
quaintance who had come In from an
other car, and his voice, bluff and mer-
ry, was interesting half the occupants
of the Pullman.
"Think we're on our wedding tour,
do they? Ha, hal" laughed the man
opposite. THAT'S a good joke. Do you
remember-it's exactly ten years ago
today that we started on our wedding
tripr'