The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-04-18

4AUCu-AdT k0OIC SU0u
"No! For what you said was true.
And was afraid to come-afraid Of
your Judgment! You make me the
more ashamed
"Don'tw he cried sharply, 40 IL IN
pain. 1T hurts to see You abase your
self before me!'
Again a silence, while his eyes held
hers. The quality of his gaze brighten.
ed her. 1t was saying too much
breaking down her self command.
drawing her to him. She spoke hastily.
"Mr. McAdoo, do you know that he
has disappeared?
She saw then the hurt that had been
put upon him. Yes. l have tried to
have him found, but they can discover
no trace Of him. But l will not give
up until he is found-and our fault
repaired" He used the plural uncon-
oc1ously.
when you find him will you let me
know? shall send an address to
the Dunmeades."
You are going awayT
Eyes; tomorrow"
"And you will not come hack" He
did not ask question.
He turned once more to look out into
the street. But he saw nothing there
He was measuring the meaning of the
moment. She had changed. as had he:
he felt 1t in her every word. in her
presence. Yet her humility hurt him
strangely He had many things to
make up to her"-and he would never
have the chance: she was going away.
out Of his life, as suddenly as she had
come. Both feared the next meeting
Of eyes. Each had a secret that must
be withheld. Yet by that telepathy
which informs hearts even across the
distances each guessed the others Sc
cTet, knew that the frank intimacy of
the moment sprang from more than a
common regret. was more than the
death of an unreasoning hostility. But
they were not children. Both knew
that before Iife's happiness comes
Mes responsibility and that they. in
their game of cross purposes. had as
sumed responsibility which was not
yet fulfilled
She rose He. too. got to his feet.
She held out her ungloved hand. He
took it again in his strong clasp. Her
lips. tried to fashion a conventional
farewell.
- Aope you Vim soon get your
strength back and that you will be
successful always-and happy" At
the last words her voice began to fall
ter
Il pray that life will be kinder to
you than it has been. Mrs. Gilbert.
And that you will forget all this-and
me-" Unsteadiness was in his voice
too.
"Can we forget?'
Il don't want to forget!' he cried.
Nor do l want to forget!' The GRIM
son flooded to her cheeks. But the un-
ruly tongue ran on. II couldn't forget
II would. That night, when we
thought you were dying-it is before
me always. When l saw you lying
there it seemed to me that had struck
you down.
you were here! l don't understand
You came
"Ah. can't you see? had to come
TO- make my acknowledgment. |
thought you were dying. Miss Finn
was nearest to you. l told her. She
made me promise to come to you when
you were able. That is why am here
now"
but bis clasp frightened. II don't un-
derstand. You cared enough to
come
All. cant you see?" she cried pite-
Ously.
why did you come into my nfe-to
teach me my lesson-to 60 away now?
Why, since you must go away. were
you chosen by the force, which is
Before him flashed the interpreta-
ton of the past few months. Of the
memory that had outlived the busy,
crowded years. His face lighted IN
with q look no man or woman had
ever seen there. ..~.
1T wasn't you hated-it wasn't you
I fought against but-love"
Words that spoke of themselves! He
lifted his head sharply. as does the
stag in the forest when he hears the
call of his faraway mate. His eyes
caught hers in the grip that would not
be denied. crying out that she was his
his. Her eyes wavered. fell-re-
turned to his. luminous with the an
swer. The moment ended. r.o,-.
mr. McAdoo there is a ruined life
between us!' >..-''.
She was gone. leaving Bob alone.
r And yet not alone. For with him
was the memory Of thrilling Won
derful moment when be had looked
into the depths Of womau's heart
And between them lay an impossible
barrier. Il barrier of their own build
ing ...,... -.. I've.
He bowed his face in his hands and
prayed prayed for courage and pa
tience and faith to bear his punish
ment--and to atone. b. 4&. ~ .... e..
CHAPTER XIV.