Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-02-14
CHAPTER xxxfv.

CHAPTER xxxfv.
With the birds and flowers ence
more returning to Christmas Cove,
came outdoor freedom for Chip again.
Like the wood-nymph she was In char
acter and taste. the Wild. rock-bound
coast outside and tho low. wooded
mountain enclosing this village were
her Fairgrounds where she found COM
partnership Other associates she cared
but little for. and few hours alone
on wave-washed shore. watching the
wild ocean pillows tossing spray aloft.
or long ramble In a deep, silent for
est, appealed to her far moro than
parties and girlish enjoyments.
The wood.bordered road. leading
miles away, was now a favorite walk
OF hers. 1t was suited to her In many
ways, for II was seldom travelled: 1t
followed the sunny side Of the low
mountain range back OF Christmas
Cove. not a house stood along Its en-
tire way. and to add charm, a brook
kept It company, crossing and recross-
ing 1t for two miles. That feature was
the most especial attraction, for beds
OF watercress waved beneath tho
limpid waters in deep pools. lunches
Of flag grew along its banks, their
blue flowers bending to kiss the cur
rent: its ripples danced in the sun
light; Its music was a tinkling mel
ody, and these simple attractions APP
pealed to Chip.
There was also another reason for
now choosing this byway walk. She
knew, or felt sure, that Ray would
visit Christmas Cove on his return
from the woods. He must come in tho
old carryall. about the only vehicle
ever journeying along the road,
now, like I brownie Of the forest, she
watched until she spied II afar and
then hid In the bushes and peeped oAt
until It passed each day.
A curious and somewhat complex
feeling toward this young man had
also come to her. At first, like child,
she had loved him masked. She had
known no different. He had seemed
like young god to her. and to cling
to him was supreme happiness. Then
had come an awakening, conscious
ness that this freedom was not right
and must be checked. Following that
also--a bitter lesson--it had come to
her that she was a kind of outcast
child OF shame, as 1t were. whose ORR
gin was despicable. and who was de-
pendent upon the charity OF others.
This awakening. this new conscious
ness, was like a black chasm In front
OF her. horror and shame combined.
and true to her nature, she fed from It
like one pursued.
But two years had changed her
Views OF humanity. She had learned
that money and social position did not
always win friends and respect That
birth and ancestry were Of less con-
slderation than pare mind and hon
est intentions. and that fine raiment
sometimes covered base heart and
vile nature.
Toward the boyish lover, also. her
feelings had been altered. A little OF
the oid-timc fondness remained. how
ever. She could not put that away.
She had tried and tried earnestly, yet
the wildwood Illusion still fingered.
She had meant, also to put him and
herself quite apart--so far, and in such
way that sFe would never be found
by him. That had failed, however: he
knew where she was He bad said
nat he wa coaing here. ss0ss likely
he would enas to renew the old ten
der relation but In that he would be
disappointed she weg safe she would
10 glad 10 see hiln FOR Old times sake,
however. She would be gracious ana
dignified, as Aunt Abby was. She
wanted to- hear all about the ~eods
and Old Cy again. but caresses Aust
be forbidden. More than that. every
time she recalled how freely she had
permitted them once, she blushed and
felt that It would be an effort 70 lock
him in the face again.
But she was anxious TO see hsw ne
would appear now: whether the same
boy, with frank. open face. or com.
manding, selfpossessed man.
And SO each pleasant afternoon she
strolled up this byway read. When
the ancient carryall was sighted. she