Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-02-13

shown his place In her regard at every
opportunity.
1t angered her to note her inability
to 90 faster. Surely he need not take
such strides. The going was becoming
more fatiguing.
Edwina's toes ached; her fingers
were numb: she kept clipping; the
snow slfted down her neck and blew
IN her eyes. Her knees commenced ia
wabble. Knight plowed ahead, occa.
sionally halting for the tagging feet
then strldlng ON.
"Mr. Knightw Edwina was three
yards In the rear and breathing fast.
He did not seem to hear.
"Hamw
The man stopped. She caught up
and smiled dolefully.
"Getting tIred?" he puffed. "ft's q
trifie rough. and we are among SONS
mean rocks. declare, Edwina, I'm
puzzled"
"No-not lost?"
"Oh, no! I 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 well get
over that bowlder."
"Ham-I-never can climb II. l.
I've sort Of given out. This-this hor.
rid snow The words faltered to a
shaking whisper and broke In a sob.
"Curse my carelessness" cried the
man. seizing her hands. "why, you
are half frozen, child. I'm warm
enough. I'll have to set you right and
be quick about It," He dragged of
her damp gloves.
Edwina was conscious of being rub
bed. kneaded. shaken. jounced. Rugged.
slapped and generally stirred In an
agitating process that presently sent a
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
how's that" and kissed her she shrank
away In indignant remonstrance.
"How dare you? It was mean ad-
vantage"
II forgot. Naturally when a chap
has been engaged to GIL for months
he forgets." His reply was not apollo
getic. Edwlna frowned severely.
"All that Is past" she said. "I'll
thank you to recover your bearings"
"Up We go. then. TO the top Of this
rock and try for glimpse over the
trees. It's pretty steep, but not bad
footing. Give me your little fist"
A scramble. haul. and they stood
on a level stone backed by a hump Of
granite. Knight steadied her as the
snow eddied about their heads. mock
ing their strainIng eyes.
mo USE" observed Hamilton. at
tempting a laugh. ''The best can do
Is to wrap you up In my coat. leave
you in a snug corner and dig directly
down to-somewhere." He began un-
buttoning his heavy REFER. adding:
'I'll find house. get help and be right
back. Answer my calls and be brave
girl"
Edwina stared at him in silent dis.
may.
Before I start, DEAR" he said husk-
lily, I'm going to break solemn prom.
Use. Next week." he hesitated. then
went on mpulsively-'nextW Wednesday
I could tell. Lillian Carey is engaged
to my brother Observation-Disclosures
why I've had some tough days. Ed
wilma"
The girls arms reached for him. She
cried out wildly. He clasped her close.
his face bent to the nesting head. and
for long minute both forgot the peril
the estrangement. everything save the
sudden Joy Of understanding.
A rift broke In the clouds. The snow
ceased. A streak Of blue sky widened.
Below their perch. only hundred
yards distant, the highway showed
clearly In growing light. with dot.
ting houses lifting shining white roofs
Edwina raised here eyes and blinked
in a dazzling shaft Of radiance.
"Hamw she cried joyously. "Quick.
Look, dear. The sun has come out"