The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-11-10
WEEKLY SHORT STORY
IN THE SAPPHIRE COUNTRY.
Story By Crittenden Marriot.

Story By Crittenden Marriott.
NeWcomb sat on a rotting log and
stared blindly at the sunlight that
sifted down through the century-old
trees that stood around. Diana lay
en- the fragrant pine needles at his
feet. Her scarlet lips were parted
and her blue eyes cloudless. She was
slender and very young One would
nave said that she was utterly con-
tent
Newcomb was not He frowned and
dug his heel viciously into the ground.
He wanted to say something and did
not find it easy. Manlike, he grew
angry at this
D1ana!" he burst out at last. do
you know what month this is?"
The girl family smiled. "Of course,
silly" she answered. Its August
You can tell it by the droning of the
bees and the chirping Of the beetles.
Look at me. Will"
But NeWcomb would not meet her
eyes. 1t was early May when [
came he muttered slowly 81 met
you two days later. Since then |
have seen you every day. Four
nonths-and every day."
SO long!" The girl spoke dreamily.
She had lost count OF time long be-
hot NOSS ~ uudllST-SlnC0 you
love me?'
1T matters a good deal. These
Tennessee mountains are not the
world. Now l am remembering"
Yes. dear!" She dragged a black
berry spray down to her lips and nib
bled at the ripe fruit II bore. Eyes.
aear! What are you remembering?'
Tell mel"
Newcomb's brow grew darker ct
am remembering that the world would
not regard these meetings of ours
leniently. You do not know-how
sould you. shut away in your hills
But 1 know"
And L." The girl sat up. A stray
sunbeam FURNISHED her hair and
warmed the pink of her delicate cheek.
Il know! have not lived here al
Waysi l know-and / do not care-if
you love me. Look at me, Will"
But he was already looking at her.
Il love you'll" he cried. 81 love you! l
love youl That Is why 1 must remem-
bert"
"Rememberi Remember! Now
, Wnen 4 have koad you that / could not
live without you. VIII! / should die,"
She was kneeiing now. Listen. dear,"
she went On. you found ms hare
dressed in homespun, wearirgs a -s,un-
bonnet, bare-armed. You Thought I
was mountain girl, q little better
educated than most, perhaps, but still
q mountain girl. You were wrong.
But l let yoa think so. / did not
care. was utterly reckless-and I
\ did not care. That was at first; af-
forwards 1 gave you my heart-and
then did net care" The girls breath
came fast and her bosom rose and
fell irregularly. But / am not q
mountain girl" she went on. "I have
lived here only a few months! You
never came to my home. You never
asked me about It. l did not know
why. But now I shall tell you.
live heer alone with my father. He
brought me here By night-hurriedly
He brought q great deal of money
with nina trunkful-bank notes.
bonds, / do not know how much. I
do not know where he got it. 1t
now / do not oaro-it you love me-"
frightens me. 1 fear-I fear-but
you know 1 love you, Diana"
Then what does it matter?" The
girl settled back on the pine needles.
rs If all was said. From her point of
view all had been said.
But Newcomb's face did not relax.
at matters q great DEAL" he NUT
tered. Il neevr thought you a noun
tain girl. There is a grace about you
that-No! 1 never thought you
mountain girl. Did you ever wonder
why / came here, Diana?"
"At first, yes. Afterward, no. 1t
was enough for me that you had come.
You-you are the first man who ever
kissed me- You believe it, do you not,
WIFI"