The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-02-04
ed half In dismay, half in delight,
wholly aStaDiSha6

reached section l and removed his hat.
Il beg Harry Stillwell. by the
gods immOrtal.''
For an instant they looked at each
other in silence, Harriet's eyes-before
she got them under control-sparkling
and dancing over this unexpected
meeting.
Then she laughed outright We'll.
Ray, don't you think We better shake
handS?"
Perhaps" He held his out gravely.
and to Harriet the knowledge came
with shock of wonder that the face
she could read so well was net ex-
pressing unalloyed pleasure at sight of
her.
Il thought you We're at home. Har-
ry," he remarked, resting his elbow
on his knee
'You thought | was ut homer
echoed Harriet blankly. why. Ray
mOnd Merrill! Where have you been
all this time?" Her eyes were under
control now
Ray leaned over and rubbed ut Il
spot on the window. Let's see. |
went to North Woods in-August.
wasn't itY'
Yes, 1t was directly alter the even
ing when they had their LIST talk.
such a logical talk-on her part-shc
considered it. She nodded AID allow
ed a distant view of Pixies Peak 10
absorb her attention.
'Wel, I've not been back since then
scarcely heard from home in fact"
Chen he did not even suspect she was
running away from him, She fe,t uu-
accountably defraudedJ I've been
all over the west. fishing and hunting
BY the way, Harry, l just shipped a
pair of elk's antlers back to you from
Denver If you remember, promised
them to you long ago.
She leaned forward eagerly oh.
Ray, | do believe | saw them on the
platform. They are beauties. Thank
you. l can scarcely wait until l get
home to have them put up"
Again she was struck by his strange
reserve. Three months ago his face
would have glowed over her enthusi-
astic thanks.
The grOom's head lay against the
back cushions very near his brides
He was speaking low, and she was
smiling and pulling at her gray muff.
Quite illogically the sight brought a
lump into Harriet's throat. They were
silly, of course, to act that way-but-
if only Ray would be his old self,
Then she strangled the thought and
took fresh hold Of herself.
"And you?" Ray was saying.
"Oh, ~ Her tone was lightly flip
pant. why, I've been-since August
rambling too Can't say I've hunted.
but I've tished and ridden and explored
from northern Montana to here
What for?'
Harriet's chin went up, and her tone
became more flippant. "What a queer
question. But if you want reasons, for
tunately l can control tho price Of =
few railroad tickets. Being past TWEEN
ty-tive and accounted discreet. l can
travel alone. l intend to see the west.
and | love my independence"
The last assertion escaped her invol-
UNFAIRLY, Size stopped abruptly and bit
her lip, But Ray did not vince He
merely looked at her intently
Harry, | believe | can sympathize
with you in that Independence bust
ness. I've been enjoying a taste of in
dependence myself for the first time in
seven years.
Harriet looked her amaZement RAY
mond Merrill was a very model of in
dependence to his ds-independent
Of family ties, Independent in income,
in health, in habits. What do you
mean" she inquired directly.
Ray did not reply at once. He was
looking across the aisle again. The
bride had bent her face over a book
which she held upside down, while a
pair of bearded lips almost against her
cheek were whispering. Unexpectedly
Ray turned and smiled into Harriet's
eyes, with Il flash of his cid self
'Disgusting, isn't it?' she said hast
lily to cover a sudden helpless confu
sion which sent the blood throbbing
into her temples.
81 rather enjoy watching them" re
turned Ray quietly. "That chap looks
as though he expected to attend per-
petual Thanksgiving service, and She
well, it looks as though she was salts
fed"
Watch them on journey ten years
from now and see if she's satisfied"
Harriet retorted, furious at herself
for giving the conversation such
tactless turn.
well, what would you see?" chal-
lenged Ray.
That novel will be right side up
II hope So" coolly. Il should ex-
pect companionship of ten years to
rob the situation of some Of its nov
city"
"And the groom, enveloped in cigar
smoke and Il newspaper, will occupy
the smoker"
DOUBTLESS. But he may be as sin
cerely her lover as he is today"
Harriet shrugged her shoulders and
gazed back ut Colorado Springs, which
they were leaving behind them.
$50 long as lis. Thanksgiving day
let's be harry ard III -, III and not
disagree" Fer lausl was tribe
forcCl.
Ar,tLo.. I,,. ,.,1 ... ~, ,,y.