Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-11-16

an
slope 10 an immense elm. II would
shelter him and he could enjoy the
outdoors and think.
Leaning against the great trunk, be
suddenly remembered Mona and sort
OF fear for her possessed him. Had
Rawson gotten her back to the club
house? There was neither car line
house nor other shelter in this direc.
ton, and he knew she was afraid OF
storm. OF course the fellow knew
enough to look after her-but Ber-
trand was nervous. The sky was
growing very black and thunder be.
gan to rumble distantly. He dellb.N
erately started out to look for the A
girl.
He had not gone a rod when he 1
heard a swish in the bushes, and
turning, heard a queer little fright
ened sound. He saw nothing, butN
without consciously intending to, he Il
callad out:
Mona. where are your" In mo-
ment he saw her come from behind
tree. She was very pale, and as he
rushed to meet her. she came quickly
close to him, clinging to his arm. He
drew her back under the big elm.
what does this mean?" he asked
sternly. where is Rawson2 What
are you doing alone In this storm.
Nona?" He had his coat off and was
wrapping her in It,
Invent away and left him--I-oh,N
there he comes nowl"
1t was he indeed, his not unpleas.
Ing, but hard, face worried. Bertrand
stepped out.
'If you are looking for Miss Waite, ,
she is with me. I shall look after her
now" he said coldly.
The other man laughed.
II thought that you were behind
thingsl" he said coolly. "You don't
need to be so protective. only in.
sisted on knowing whether she was
going to marry me OF not. She has
played with me ali sumner, aid
was tired of 1t. She had no need to L
run away from me. You can seS that
l couldn't leave her in this storm.
Now you are responsible, and J will <
leave you. believe shall also wish
you JOY" he said, coolly.
He crashed off through the Bushes. K
Bertrand turned to Mona. yves he
annoying you in any way? u he was
he shall pay for it, Tell me iest what
happened? Did he tell me the truth%
She leaned against the rough tree
trunk and nodded Yes, he told the
truth. 1t was silly, but all OF sud.
den Twas afraid-not of him-but
of myself. 1t was as If he had me hyp
Noticed or something. was afraid +
that he might make me promise-and,
after all, did not want to, John. 1t /
was awful! And so ran away ! Il
went off up the wrong path, away from
the links instead of toward them;
and couldn't find my way out. And
heard him following me. OF course he
had to-the storm was breaking, but
could not bear to have him find mel
And then--I heard your voice, and"
She began to cry.
John Bertrand laughed.
BLESS your dear little heart, Nona!"
he said. II was out looking for you!
I.had had my eyes upon all afternoon"
She did not resist when at frightfu
peal Of thunder he came and put his
arms protectingly about her. She was
very still.
''If I should ask you when you in
tend to marry me would you run
away through the wet woods like a
wild, silly thing. Nona?" He looked
down, waiting for an answer.
She nodded denial against his arm
where her head rested.
Tell mel" he urged.
you know" she breathed, chow
much I-care"
Then the young man was very glad
with gladness entirely new to him.
The sweetness of life was in his
heart; the sweetness of young, wet
growing things about him.
At length the rain ceased, the sky
cleared, burst of sun came out. They
would have their world to face and
must not look too happy. That would
tell the tale sooner than they wished
it told. They were half way across
the green when, without warning,
John Bertrand threw back his head
and burst into happy laugh. He had
remembered Harrison. Mona looked
at him for explanation.
Mona" he said, Fam / chance or
a choice? which,"
She did not answer him, for her
mother was coming fussily down the
steps to take her in charge She had
something to tell that mother and did
not then care whether the man were
chance or not--he was her choice