Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-07-04

"A signal? What do you mean? Do
you suspect me of putting out bea-
con light for cheap night adventure
with some man? Do you expect me to
tolerate that sort of thing from you?'
II ask you to tolerate nothing
said. II am not in the habit of sus-
pecting ladies. But ask you If you
can explain the light on that side of
the house."
Jack" she said. finging out her
hand. forgive me. | admit that Cap
tain Orme and carried on bit of a
Irritation after he came back-after he
had told me about you. But why
should that-why, he did not know you
were here"
NO" said l dryly. II don't think he
did. | am glad to know that you found
something to amuse you in my ab-
sence."
Let us not speak of amusements in
bitterly. Think of your own. But
when you came back it was all as it
was last spring. | could love no other
man but you, Jack After all, if we
are quits, let US stay quits and forgive
and forget. Let us forget, Jack"
l sat looking at her as she turned to
me, pleading. imploring in her face.
her gesture.
Jack" she went on, "a woman needs
some one to take care of her, to love
her. | want you to take care of me.
You wouldn't throw me over for just
little thing. when all the time you
yourself
The light shone for miles across the
valley" said l.
Precisely, and that was how he
happened to come up, do not doubt.
He thought we were still up about the
place. My father has always told him
to make this his home and not to go to
the tavern. They are friends political
~, in many ways, as you know"
1.-THE light then was that of some
servant?"
Certainly it was. know nothing
of it. 1t was an accident, and vet you
blame me as though-why, it was all
accident that you met Captain Orme.
Tell me, Jack, did you quarrel? What
did he tell you?"
MANY things He is no fit man for
you to know nor for any woman"
do l not know that? will never
see him again.
mo; he will never come back here
again; that is fairly sure. He has
promised that. and he asked me to
promise one thing. by the way"
''What was that?'
''To keep my promise with you. He
asked me to marry you. Why?''
Infinite wit of woman! What chance
have we men against such weapons?
1t was coquetry she forced to her face
and nothing else when she answered.:
$50. then, he was hard hit. after all!
l did not know that How tender of
him to wish me married to another
than himself. The coneeit of you mem
is something wondrous"
''Mr. Orme was so kind as to inform
me that was a gentleman and like
wise very great ass"
did you promise him to keep your
promise. Jack?" She put both her hands
on mine as it lay on the chair arm.
Her eyes looked into mine straight and
full. 1t would have taken more imagi.
nation than mine to suspect the slight
est fiickering In their lids. Jack" she
murmured over and over again, Il love
you. have never loved any other
man.
$50 now," resumed. 81 have come
to you to tell you of all these things
and to decide definitely and finally in
regard to our next plans"
But you believe me. Jack? You do
promise to keep your promise? You do
love me?"
II doubt no woman whom we'd"
/ answered Il shall be gone for two
or three weeks. / shall come back,
Miss Grace. and shall ask your an
swer."
"Jack. I'm sure of that" she MUIR
INJURED. 1T is grand thing for wo-
man to have the promise Of man
who knows what promise is
/ WINGED at this, as had WINGED a
thousand times at similar thrusts un-
consciously delivered by SO many.
mo-" said l, II think Orme is right.
am only very stupid ass"
She reached out her hand. felt
her fingers close cold and hard on
mine. as though 10th to let me go. /
kissed her fingers and withdrew, my
self at least very glad to be away.
! retired to my room to arrange my
portmanteaus for an early journey.
And there. filing up one-half Of the
greater yalise. was roll Of hide. rag
ged about its edge. drew 1t out and
spread it fat upon the bed before me,
whitened and roughened with bone,
redeemed with blood. written on with
rude stylus. bearing certain words
which all the time. day and night.
rauv var nnd cauv ~, INV brain