Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-04-03
shown his place in her regard at every

shown his place in her rega.d at every
opportunity.
1t angered her to note her inability
to go faster Surely he need not take
such strides. The going was becoming
more fatiguing.
Edwtnas Apes ached; her fingers
were numb; she kept slipping; the
snow sftcd down her neck and blew
in her eyes. Her knees commenced to
wabble. Knight plowCd ahead, oCCa-
sionally halting for the tagging feet,
then striding on.
"Mr. Knight" EdwIna was three
yards In the rear and breathing fast.
He did not seem to hear
Ham"
The man stopped. She caught up
and smiled dolefully.
Getting tircd?' he puffcd. IT'S a
trile rough. and we are among some
mean rocks. | declare. Edwina. I'm
puzZledw
"NO-not lOSt?'
"Oh, no, | don't know where I am.
that's all. It's nothing. Wen land
somewhere. Say. your teeth are chat.
tering. 1t can't be you mind this little
tramp. Brace bit, and We'll get
over that bowdcr."
"Ham-I-never can climb 1t. l
I've sort of given out. ThiS-this hor
rid snow The words faltcrcd to a
shaking whisper and broke in Il sob.
Curse my carclcssnesS." cried the
man, seizing her hands why. you
are half frozen, child. I'm warm
be quick about it." He dragged off
her damp gloves.
Edwina was conscious of being rub
bed. kncadcd. shaken. jounccd. huggcd
slapped and generally stirred in an
agitating process that presently sent
glow of warmth through every vein.
She did not protest. In fact, her
submission to this treatment was
amazingly tractable. circulation seem
ed more important than dignity. and,
after ALL it was only Ham.
But when he exclaimed. There,
hows that" and kissed her she shrank
away in indignant rcmonstrans g.
"IIow dare you? 1t was IA mean ad-
vantage"
81 forgot. Naturally when chap
has been engaged to a "irl for months
he forgcts" His reply was not apollo
getic. Edwina frowned severely.
"All that IS past" she said. III
thank you to recover your bearings"
"Up we go. then, to the top of this
rock and try for a glimpse over the
trees. It's pretty steep. but not bad
footing. Give me your little fist
A scramble. a haul, and they stood
on level stone backed by hump of
granite. Knight Steadcd her as the
snow eddicd about their heads, mock
ing their straining eyes.
"No use" observed Hamilton, at
tempting a laugh. The best | can do
is to wrap you up In my coat. lcav"
you in a snug corner and dig directly
down somewhere" He began un-
buttoning his heavy REFER. adding:
I'll find house, get help aHd lie right
back Answer my calls and be Il bray"
girl"
Edwina stared at him In silent dis
may.
Before | start, dear he said huSk
lily, I'm going to break Il solemn prom
Use. Next week." he hcsitated, then
went on impulsively- ->ncXt "Wednesday
| could tell. Lillian Carey is engaged
to my brother Bob-and- -that-waS-
why I've had some tough days, Ed
wilma
The girls arms reached for him. she
cried out wildly. He claSprd her close,
his face bent to the nesting head, and
for long minute both forgot the pe"il,
the estrangcmcnt, everything save the
sudden joy of understanding.
A rift broke in the clouds. The snow
ceased \ streak of blue sky widCned.
Below their perch. only a hundred
yards distant, the highway showed
clearly in a growing light, with dot
ting houses lifting shining white roofs.
Edwina raised here eyes and blinked
In n dazzling shaft of radiance.
"Iam!" she cried joyouSly. "Quick!
Look, dear The sun has come out"