Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-06-04
CHAPTER IV-(Confinued- J

4
That instant, under the spell of soft
music, Peter Constable knelt as in a
dream to drink at the fountains Of in
spiration. The dinner call aroused him.
The music ceased, and he was again the
faltering human lover. The path had
been illumined only long enough to show
him that there was a shorter way.
It seemed during dinner that Lara
had something to say which the presence
of the others forbade. Mrs. Stansbury
went upstairs Breen and the planter
engaged in a smoky discussion of the lit
erary peregrinations of one Herman Mel
Vile The other two set out for the
gardens.
Il have wanted to tell you since morn
ing how sorry l am" she said quietly.
q want you to know that, in spite of
mothers decision, I thank you for your
kindness. and believe in your deeper
knowledge of our danger"
ITS good of you to say that he an
swered. 81 never tried to persuade any
body to do anything before. l may like
Pelee too seriously, but l can't help it,
with you folks here"
She laughed. "And 1 thought that
nothing short of an actual eruption could
disturb your equanimity."
did you ever read The Story of the
Gadsbys'T' he asked.
yes"
"There is a big fragment of truth
back of that Do you think | would have
played upon your Imagination and nerves.
and made a mess of things, if l hadn't
been afraid?"
Afraid of the mountain? That's not
like you. Are we about to see you down
below in the city, warning the people,
like Cassandra in the streets of Troy"
81 have a dearer service-before going
down into the city," he answered. 1t
was as if Breen and the days contempla-
ton had made this moment inevitable.
THAT done, | could take up the work
there with sleeves rolled up and burst
ing with anthems"
What service?" she asked bravely,
though the trend Of his words was as
black on white. She was startled, I'M
ready.
ITO put you out of the range of Pelee's
guns ~ he said, with sudden vehemence.
She had scarcely OWNED that there
lived a lover in this man. She felt futile
beside him, and yet fused by his penetrat-
ing vitality. To her, it was the signal
moment in which the woman discovers a
giant besieger at her gates.
They will hear you! ~ she found her
self saying, in a satisfied tone.
Let them hear me. | want you to be
safe. Pelee is no study to me now, but
a grim warning-because you are here
| can't keep my eyes from the volcano,
nor my thoughts from you. Don't you
know-dor't you know that you crept
into the very heart of me-a bit of a
girl, telling me how to live my life? Yes
terday when l found the mountain
awake, all that l had ever done and
thought and felt turned to nothing coni-
pared to your life. No matter what you
think or say to me- am afraid for
you !"
The head bending toward her face
seemed huge in the dark, and his lowered
voice charged with power
But we will go to sea when the Pan
Their comes" she said huskily.
Lara !" The voice was from Mrs
Stansbury, in the upper window of the
house-that calm, fateful voice.
II must go!"
Listen. l cannot bear to wait until
the Panther comes ~ he went or impetu-
ousy. Il want to put you slfeiy asoore
in Dominica this night-or Fort d.
France, or even on shipboard-and | i'll
come back here Do this for me, Lady p
Lara !" was called again.
Yes, mother. No, could
not go alone There would never be q
home here again. l must 80 to mother -
oh, cannot speak now -
He stood alone in the dark. \ lizard
that had hearkened attentivcly, began tc
croak his comment to the mango trees.