The Elk Mountain pilot., 1911-02-02

AAo ShooV0 htb CyOo 0hA ~ hC0 ~
think that Mary loved him as he did
her. He tried to recall signs. some
proof that she did. Nothing came.
Boiled down. and viewed with legal
impartiality. facts showed that she
had been a fine friend and nothing
more. He realized that he knew
nothing whatever about her heart.
She was sweet-but as impartially a.
a rose. and to all the world. He now
lived only to find out.
Then he slept. and woke shamefully
late and hungry. and found Ben wait
ing in the dining-room. also hungry
and unashamed. They avoided mon
tion of the evening before-both were
self-conscious. They spoke loftily OF
law. and each wondered how he
would be rid OF the other after break
fast. The latter was not dimcult-
they melted away In different direc-
tions. neither toward the once. The
law was to have letting-alone.
Willis found Maryland most OF her
family-on the porch enjoying the
freshness Of the morning. She greeted
him with a gay comradeship that
made his heart sink. Was this the
way to greet a lover? Love would
have made her. hesitate. blush per
haps. when he asked her to walk
downtown with him. He wanted to
be rid of the family. and they didn't
even know 1t. clustering about him!
Mary got her hat said she had to
shop anyhow. and they started on.
The morning was perfect, the walk
lovely. Mary didn't talk much. but
she never did. But now she somehow
kept him silent. Then 4 new fear
assailed him. Suppose a word should
deny him love. and lose him friend
ship. Asking Mary became no simple
matter. Was this the place. the time!
Must he not WOO her nrst, Then
before he knew 1t ahe was saying this
was her frst place to shop. and he
was going alone to his once.
For u week thereafter the lover
found life a torture. He could not
nnd his tongue. His heart was .
weight within him. He could not get
Mary alone.
The end. like the beginning. was .
shock. 1t was simple. too. He did
not. at nrst. even ask her. though she
made him atone for that later. Oh.
Mary saw to It that he was humbled!
They. with Ben Allen and his Mary.
were motoring. Ben At the wheel.
Around hidden turn herd Of cattle
obstructed the road. A sudden dos
perate turn to dodge them. and the
car overturned. and settled into .
ditch. painting like . living thing. The
girls screamed. but rose unhurt. A.
did Ben. But Willis did not rise.
Mary. reaching him first, saw his face
white. his eyes closed. With one
movement she knelt and gathered
him into her arms.
Don't stand there staring: run for
THE house back there-telcphoue for
a doctor-and get some waterbury,.
! tell you'"
Ben went perforce. but uncon-
vinced that moro than = shock was
the matter. In . moment Willis
opened his eyes naturally enough. saw
where he was. and seemed uncom-
monty satisfied. He made no move
ment to take his head from the girls
arm. Then he saw that tears ran
down tho tan OF her cheek. and wet
his forehead.
why. I'm not hurt-only stunned
a bit. dearest!" He jumped up. shook
himself, and held out his arms for
her.
She came. hiding her face against
him. trembling with the shocks and
the fright. She chung to him with
both hands. and he comforted her
with a comfort old as the world. and
sweet as the youngest rose. They did
not need words. but words neverthe-
less soon broke the silence. Ben
Allen. hot and anxious. bearing his
burden OF water and Information.
stood before them.
We'll. I'll be everIastingly switched
Do you suppose the doctor will think
he can do anything for your present
sad condition? VIII you have some
help. or some water. and. II SO. which.
and how?"