The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-26

] | They passed the temporarily abandoned l wagons on the unstable track. For MT 1 Romer had used his influence to get l little railway line made to the nearest | siding Finally they came out on the i untouched cliff-side under lea of the big l indgo-green pines | "Oh, wonders Rough Isle. and the bird clins!" Vida cried elapping her hands. Then she looked guiltily at him.
 You never come now" she continued hastily, "to go sailing out there3 "I am busy. as you see-Dick, too, Is busy. Besides And he paused. Besides what?'
 "Oh, nothingi'
 But I want to know-I will know! cried Vida "You have no right to keep these secrets from-an old friend!' Well then, said Phil, gravely and 1 gently as ever, q don't come because the last time we went to the bird cliffs the waterproof rug was left behindi'
 The girl had an answer. of course. But she knew instinctively that he would see through that just as easily. So she did not say it. It was no use telling Phil (any more than to another girD that the day was too warm and calm-that the rug was uselessi
 Well, I did not want you to do itl' she said, showing the highest respect that woman can to man-which is, speaking to him as to another woman. That Is the true Order (and motto) of the Garter
 "No?" ueried Phil, with great thought fitness, but no complaint in the mono syllable.
 We are not babes any longer. you know!" she explained.
 Phil looked about him solemnly, and then glanced once and qulzzieally at the face of the girl.
 t,, ha you and l." he said. And, taking her hand, this time without waterproof cov- ering or pretense of hiding, he led her to a felled pine upon which he often sat to mediate upon the uncertainty of things and women.
 A little while they were wholly silent. Then What was that you said?" Vida broke out.
 sNothingl" said Phil, for whom the present possession of her hand was enough-warm, soft, pleasant and with a little jingle to it, highly communica- ble.
 You called us the Babes in the Woodr "'
 "No," said Phil. who followed closely. as if by instinct, every turn of the girls mind, T only thought it-but you knew that I thought 1t without being told
 There was a pause. Ten fingers (two of which were thumbs) had become dan gerously electric
 Do you know what that means, Vida?" whispered Phil, removing his glance from the slow wormy crawl of the white and green sea beneath, and fixing it just under the brim of her hat
 That you are one silly, and that you are trying to make me anotheri' cried Vida, making motion to throw away his hand without, however, proceeding to extremities with her intention.
 That we are made for one another that we understand one another!" con tinued Phil. still in the same dreamy, faraway accent He might have been talking of the upward progress of the white shaft out wonder on the Point for all of personality there was in his tone.
 ''I wonderl" said Vida, musing also, T suppose we shall find out in time."
 "I wish. Vida, you would find out now!" said Phil "it would save such a lot of trouble"
 That is either unlike my Phil" she said, "or else you mean something I do not grasp"
 Phil was profoundly grateful for the adjective, but he knew better than to risk what he had gained by saying so. Sufficient unto the day Is the advantage thereof" Which is a good love motto enough.
 Tt is something that you do not yet know" he said gently, "the building of the managers house is to be begun this week. The mine has turned the corner It has begun ot pay
 Why" cried Vida innoqently, 'has 1t not always been payng?'
 At this Phil laughed a little, and an swered in an offhand tone. "Oh, well, we have settled our bils!"
 ''I should think you have,'' said Vida, not greatly interested, lat least I hope so. For I see that you have been get ting a new suit of clothesl Extrava- gance!'
 Phil passed from this, as perfectly un- called for
 '"The managers house will be in this sheltered clearing where we are now sit ting" said Phil, with it's back to the pine wood and peep of the sea. How would you wish-I mean what advice would you give as to the way it ought to stand? Here are the plans"
 He laid them before her. spreading them out on his lap. And as they were on large sheets of tracing paper they covered them both almost as well as the waterproof rug in Old Dicks boat h. stinctively they leaned nearer to each other. Shoulder touched shoulder and the most heart-troubling thing in the world for innocent young folk) through the light serge of her sleeve and the new gray of his tweed they felt the kindred warmth and quick-beating blood of youth and love.
 ouL Ol ouCll lOudgS are DOTn the to- morrows of the world. 1t was all inno- cent as the play of children, as the first building of a worthy home-and with a nobility in it, too, in their very avoid ance of each others eyes, God might have looked upon them as He once did upon creation, and found them very good. Certainly as He looked He could have seen naught purer nor better than these twain.
 I do not know that they said much to the point-or to any point. Yes, the house had better face to the south, on account of the sunlight in the winter days. But that need not in the least prevent the windows of the principal rooms-dining room, drawing room, and perhaps bedroom with big oriel (oh, so nice) looking out onIclins of Rough Island and the fiat widths Of sea, fawed with purple and green, or foaming shore wards in long, spume-crested waves
 At bottom neither cared very much. There was strange warmth in the heart of Vida-the same which certain people had called 'cold as stone" That pit mans shelter, that ranchman's shack" that agglomeration of clapboards and logs. that whitewashed but-and- ben--yes, now she was sure of it-she would be content with any of these, If only he were there. As to Gorm Castle, she shuddered as she thought of it.
 But who was hep
 Once on a time for a brief uncertain moment, she had conceived the possi- bility that 1t might be Vic Morris. Now she knew better. Phil also was a capable man. But she did not care for that He was a leader of men, like Vic Morris She did not care for that He was "her Phip'-as she had said weak or strong,