Rocky Ford enterprise., 1909-02-19
well, l really want to know"
What do you think yourself?"

What do you think yourself?"
The question had often been pro
pounded to me. and knew that a
definite answer would be merely
ground for argument.
II think you are horrid. But then"
she paused refiectively, perhaps you'd
better not answer after all. would
hate to think Elizabeth did not care
as much for me as do for her, yet it
doesn't seem to me she can. You may
laugh, but of course you don't under
stand how we feel about it."
Our paths separated here. Gabrielle,
with her arms full of roses. went on
to the village while l picked my way
carefully along the shore to the rocks.
1t was useless to look again, as I
well knew, yet I searched conscien-
tiously for some time, then sat down
to rest beside the ashes of our last
nights fire. l really do not know Of
anything more depressing than ashes
when one is rather tired and inclined
to be introspective. They seem to
typify SO remorselessly the inevitable
outcome of human desires and am
billions.
So l sat watching the glow of the
sunset, and thinking of many things
in a disconnected sort of way. I
thought of Gabrielle and Elizabeth,
and OF their friendship which seemed
SO wonderfully satisfying: l also re-
membered the shadows of the previous
night and my unnecessary agitation
over them. Then l recalled Gabrielle's
parting words with something akin
to a sigh. Perhaps. as she said, l did
not understand. but l thought l did
and envied them heartily.
I confess to being foolishly blue as
sat on the rocks listening to the
wash Of the waves. for l was sure no
one was specializing whether they
loved me more than l did them, and
felt very lonely in consequence. The
tide was low and the ocean calm and
uninteresting. so turned my back to
1t. preferring to watch the sun ro-
luctantly surrender the world to the
moon. which would soon come up out
Of the water Just as It had done last
night.
Therefore l did not see two figures
walking along the shore and not until
heard my name In Mr.. Blake's even
voice was aware that was no longer
were standing beside me, both looki0g
rather amused.
"A penny for your thoughts" said
Mr.. Blake. producing 1t.
Nonsense" interrupted Mr.. Ben
nett: they are worth more than that
What will you take for them?''
They are not even worth a penny.
really don't believe I was thinking
of anything"
HAS the ring been found?'
l replied that 1t had not and that
We feared II must be in the ocean. aft
er all. Here paused significantly. for
did not like to ask outright what had
become OF the promised diver. yet con.
sidered a hint permissible under the
circumstances.
thought he looked Ill at ease a.
he somewhat formally expressed his
regret for the accident His manner
was certainly very different from yes
terday and decided that the incident
had begun to bore him. Mr.. Blake
wandered down to the waters edge.
but Mr.. Bennett seated himself BE-
side me.
The world is out of joint" he ~.
marked: what's the natter"
I'm cross" l admitted. and aw-
fully blue. Please don't ask me why.
for I don't know myself"
He was wise enough not to pursue
the subject. but began to talk upon
impersonal matters. and after n while
became quite cheerful and even won.
dered secretly what | had found to be
melancholy about. for It was certainly
a very nice world after all.
ITO RE CONTINITED)