The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-02-22


you She lapted into silence, noting from the cor
ner II her eye, that there unnistakab
flicker OF interest in the dull eyes
The nest day Il was the career OF Nelsrn tha
She had been reading about, ard the kesnness q
his observation IN pue OF his one eye; another
day she was glowing over the intrepid old Enesf
admiral with his wooden lex. Prodding, suggc sting
iAsrifng never expecting any res9onsc. hut keepit
up her comment though monologue were her
accustomed held, wanting no sign bnt the uvolan-
,ary motions that she was keen enough TO interpret
bringing the whole genius of her subtle and tender
personality 10 bear upon her scll.lnposed task of
saving from wreck Tie lie thai chance had thrown
~ her way as absorbed in the monentary inter-, 4
II She had elected II tu be her HE pursut quite
as enthusiastically as though her way had not been
illuminated with like ervors and thoagh many
more did moi await her III the environment to which
She was tetnrning-n lis manner did Miss Hal
stead work for the remaining week o them passage.
From iiarthen, though, from day to day even the
most Indifferent could see Improvement Whether
lie was conscious OF her effort whether he WAS
bored by It or simply endprins often whether he
awake even. there nothing to tell her
Cntl it came TO the last day.
They all out on deck watching the indis
tinct line Of California coast form itself into the
beautiful crescent harbor Miss Hastead in the
midst Of the general confusion aud excitement. ch &c
to stand near Hafthen, not speaking bat conveying
10 hm IN inns uoinenl that must Be taught Ior lhnl
with almost unbearable feeling she had discovered
from Smith that mother awaiting him-the
assurance Q. her own understanding thought As
she turned away to answer some query ol her aunt.
she thought that her skirt caught. aud bent over
to detach it. But il Harthens hand. He WAS
keen and bright
Il am gong to live" he said Il want you to
Miss Hastead came into her drawing Groom with
ne slightest frown OF impatience upon her fate
kerby had forgotten the sponge cake: and the
written that he would be there al FIVE.
She had supposed that the landing II San Fran
cisco meant the ending Of the incident that had
impersonaliy that curious contrast TO the
impassioned interest with which she threw herself
~ 8 t.a.4 ftyl
est emotion the ract that, having drawn the
back into wholesome attitude toward his
life, She would probably never see him again. While
iarthen as an invalid might make overwhelming ap
peal 10 the exquisite tenderness that aW0le in her
at the sight of suffering, She realized per eetly tfat
Harthen, normal human being would probably
prove rather tiresome than otherwise Even ii he
did not develop the sentimental procNiti that one
or two OF the musicians or painters around whose
ne elected merit she had rallied friends and relatives
IN times past had done. it stupid situation and
she had understood why he had thought II
necessary TO send her from time to r1ne' IofH@l
and perfunctory reports coneerniag hrs condition
and plans Worse than anything else, he might con
slider himself under obligation to her, which was
situation that eftectually prevented any intelligent
and sensible interchange of ideas That afternoon
Sara did not look altogether the person with whom
any normally constituted male being could placdly
Interchange impersonal theories
A heavier dash OF rain against the glas. sent her
% the window with lnisgiyng concerning the
.he caugh1 herself OF course, Captain Hartlen
vas probably perfectly we'll at this time-in fact his
etter had said he She was turning fror th7
spectacle of the moving stream OF hobbing gli:ten
ng umbrellas when tall hgure came into sight;
I was swinging along at great pace, with an
asy, vigorous stride that filled her with qnie; ap,,
,royal OF the power il revealed. The carried
10 umbrella. His gray felt army hat SIZED the
ain in streams, and the rubber cape that he wore
vas sleek with wet. And. he drew nearer, Miss
4alstead saw that his strong. high military boots
ooked imperyious to All but the Deiuge As the
nan climbed her own steps She turned from the
window with sudden realization that il vas Har-
hen himself
She was sill conscious Of most unusual sense
+ embarrassment when Kerby announced him II
vas not within her reckoning that the should !
AIRY with him quite the sense OF dominance that
bat splend;dy picturesque figure had re, ealed.
lie had chosen to the khaki which She hal
cen used to think made more desth-like the face
T the invalid the summer before. But now it
red the deep chest the magnihcenty straight and
road shoulders, the slender waist and powerful
mbs of who stood facing her in the full, .
lmost in.olent splendor of manhood Although
he would not let her eyes actually seek it. she felt
hat even the empty sleeve was worn like badge +
I honor Haunted with almost defiant bravery. :
ennsnt to ward on pity. So splendidly set up
esh that he could do without, evidently \
He will the master, that She caught her breath )
fectiye. soulless, ruthless machine OF steel and
She raised her eyes to his face. It all brew! t
nd gray his skin was as dark almost as the khaki G
qaiuSt it. his hair was lighter brown ard his !
ray ewes direct and steady looked into hers with 4
DOL power. She had not guessed, in al the days l.
\
ne we're the liaes Of his features, how much b
acity for thought lay in tie broad forehead, how /
rmly the lips sell and how grim was The a
romuence Of the chin. His eyes held her, ard she a
1t huttoriugy dominated anxious to conciste +.
he was at irrtated with herself and the
efensive the sensation was new enc. 50, after h
C frat greeting she spoke with the delicate in b
sive coolness OF which She cspab.e instead E
the warmth Of welcome that the circumstances Il
ould have naturally demanded a
"You are on yonr way to Washington you said
"Fu take Instructions from the State Department 4
they're giving special detail to make some q
Jsrryations." He spoke with crisp, impersonsl
rcsiveness. But before / sail 60 by way of e
u@sis--I had 70 sec you-" fC
what was the obligation" Something within te
-r was pitting against him, even while she was 81
wardy scoding herself for rudenrss to t.- guest ii
no certainly demanded consideration II her hands.
But he accepted her chzlleaga wt,s seriousness. ii
q considered il an obbgaticn ! told yaG ] ~
ing live l had made up my r.ind 60 drop off 81
e side before landed. / ust waiting unti'
could walk the distance iron The crair- Yea wee l.