Mexico Missouri message., 1908-02-20
him for it, and m give him a hOuA- to

lacNs no hlknb OF any hOIt, tACeph tuo
malicious hanging around" intnrfer.
ence of Hannah whenever Ray was
there. She seemed to feel II her duty
to remain on guard at such times.
much to Rays disgust. No annoyance
at this was apparent in Chip. She
helped at housework, studied at odd
hours, and when Ray came she met
and talked with him as II he we're q
brother.
The day he was TO leave Greenvale
was close at hand however. and the
evening before he came early. bring.
Ing his banjo. and by taclt consent.
perhaps to escape Hannah, they both
left the house at once.
Just above the village there was a
long, narrow pond. wooded upon ono
side and around its upper end. with
partially cleared land and scattered
trees along the opposite bank. One OF
these trees was atmonster beech near
the waters edge, the trunk OF which
was SCARED by many intwined initials.
To this lovers trysting tree now
came Ray and Chip.
The evening was not one for TO.
nance, for no moon graced it-only
stars were reflected from the ponds
| motlunlcss surface. while nre1ics
twinkled above IT,
The shadow OF the near parting also
lowered over these two as. hand in
hand, they picked their way up and
! along the bank; and once seated be.
meath the tree, II seemed to forbid
speech.
Il wish you'd play some Of the songs
YOU used to-" Chip said at last hur.
riedly; I'D like to think I'm back at
the lake again"
Glad to do so. Ray drew out his
banjo and began TO tune IT, He start.
ed song also--one Of the grave
yardy" ones which Old Cy had inter.
dicted. but choked at once and stopped
abruptly.
Il can't sing tonight" he said; I'm
too blue about going away"
There were two in this frame OF
mind, evidently, for Chip made no pro-
test, and for another long interval
they watched the firehies and listened
to the whippoorwills
Il wish you were going back with
us" Ray said at last. 1T breaks my
heart to go away so soon and leave
you. Why won't you let me ask my
uncle to take you? He might be glad
TO do II, just for me"
NO" answered Chip, firmly. you
mustn't. II would shame me so that
| couldn't look them in the face
Then. as II this subject and their own
feelings must be avoided. she added
hurriedly, Tell me what you will dc
when the folks come whether
you will come with them OF stay al
the lake"
Stay there. | suppose" answered
Ray somewhat doggedly, for money
making and love were in conflict
old Cy says We can make a lot oil
money II will. wish were rich.
he added with a sigh.
He was not the first young man Il
whom that wish had come at such {
moment. But converse between then
was at ebb tide just now. and the part
ing moment ever creeping nearer
overshadowed ali else. To Chip
known only TO herself-it meant for
ever. To Ray. another long isolation
from all the world and young asso
ciates, and all for few hundred dol
lars sorely needed by him. yet seem
ing OF scant value compared 20 th'
sweet companionship OF this maid.
Then Chips feelings and the reason
for them were quite beyond him. II,
could not see why she was unwilling
to ask to be taken To the woods again
nor why she held herself aloof from
him. She had not done so at the lake
or when they met again. and VIII.
should she now?
Something OF this might have beel
inferred by Chip. for she suddenl,
arose.
Il think we'd best go back" sh
said. It's time and Hannah will b.
watching for me"
What Ray might have said had h
been a worldwise man. does not mat
ter. What he did was to pick up hi
useless banjo and clasping Chips arm
led her along the winding walk.
Below the falls and near the hous
they paused. for now the last momen
alone together had come, and with
the real parting.
Tell Old Cy III haven't forge
3 him." whispered Chip. her voice quiz
g erlng, "and-Rnd-you won't forget m
D. either. will you, Ray"
- That little sob in her speech was a
L. that was needed TO break away III
, barrier between them. for the next II
slant Rays arms were about the girl
d No words OF love. no protestation
no promises. Only one instant's NEE
d. ing OF soul and impulse, fierce as loy
IT OF life. sacred as the hand OF death.
IL Love consecrated H. The shadoN
D. ing naples blessed 1t. The stars ha
u lowed II.
ie And yet Il was long, long partin
III When Ray rode away next NOR
rs ing he watched for her az the ar