Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1909-02-26

she might have formed since last he
saw her. 1t might be that the terrible
longing in his heart was never to be
satisfied. and then the necessity for
speech became almost intolerable. 1t
was because of this that he had spoken
In the old fashion, "Cynthy. s'pQse we
tell what has happened since last we
met?''
And Cynthy had not resented the re-
turn to old speech or the use of her
name. but had answered simply.
"S'posin'," and Lem was not disposed
b quarrel about the answer.
But 1t was one thing to decide to
speak and quite another to find the
words one wanted. While he was still
seeking them Cynthy said, "S'pose !
begin? '
Gratefully Lem accepted their re-
versed positions and answered In his
turn. 'S'posin'."
Cynthy found a comfortable spot and
sat down, while Lem threw himself at
her feet. Then she began In a simple.
unaffected way to tell the story, which
the a eagerly drank in. So much
depended upon that story. 1t would
either open his lips or seal them for
ever, and he knew 1t. He composed
himself to listen, determined that nei-
Their by word nor look should he en-
barrass her or make 1t difficult for her
to give him this glimpse of her life. He
could mo- help wondering If it meant
as much to her as to him,
"There isn't a great deal to my
story, Lem" said Cynthy. 81 did not
know how fond of the old place l wal
until we had moved away. They say
that those who are left behind feel
worse than those who go because new
things take up the attention. l dare
say that is true in a way at least, but
there Is a kind of longing for old
places and old friends that is worse
than physical pain when 1t strikes and
that only the absentee car feel. True,
it is not always there. One could not
stand it If 1t were" Cynthy spoke in a
reminiscent tone, more to herself than
to him, and Lem felt a sort of comfort
In the knowledge that he was not the
only sufferer.
81 went to school and gave my whole
attention to my books, as / had de-
termined to fit myself for q teacher.
Somehow l think it always lay back
In my mind that l should return here
some day. l will not deny that the de-
sire became less a conscious purpose
thar a subconscious dream as the
years went by, but about six months
ago it famed into a purpose that would
brook no opposition"
Here Cynthy paused and fell to
thinking. Lem noted the fast chang
ing color now, and his heart sank a
little. He wondered what had reused
Cynthy to the sudden determination
and whether it BODIED good or i'll for
him and his hopes. Every moment
seemed to make 1t more a matter of
life and death that he should know his
fate.
With heightened color and eyes that
looked steadfastly at the far horizon.
Cynthy resumed her story, apparently
unconscious of the anxious scrutiny of
her companion. "About a year ago a
young student came to board with US.
As you know, l never had a brother,
and before long we became excellent
friends. 1t was very nice to have some
one to depend upon, eve ready to do
what one needed, to play escort and
big brother That was what we both
called 1t at first. But 1t seemed to
grow to be more, and-and-why, then,
he asked me to marry him. 1t was a
surprise to me at first, but after awhile
l thought l would say yes. Then 1t oc-
Cured to me that before tying myself
to a promise that / might not be able
to keep l should see more of life. !
was not sure l could be a minister's
wife, and besides / did not know
whether I loved him or not. l needed
absence to prove my feeling to myself.
So that is why 1 am here. | applied
for and finally got the position of
teacher, and here l am, out with you
just as in the old days, and 1t hardly
seems as if 1t could be six years since
then. Does 1t, Lem?"
Something in the question made the
young mans heart leap and the hot
blood rush to his head. He looked
sharply at Cynthy, but she appeared
to be merely wondering aloud, and
hope died down again. But it was time
for his story now, and, moreover, he
felt as If be could tell 1t, indeed must
tell it, let the outcome be what 1t
might.
ut seems to me, Cynthy," he said,
that perhaps without my knowing 1t
you have always been a big factor in
my life. l had taken your friendship
as such a matter of course that if |
thought of it at all it was as something
that could not be changed. Therefore
l .a.- 10 IL -aI4r 49,