Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-08-23
TODAY s INSTALLMENT.

Il
With little sound that was almost
animal in its satisfaction, Rmington had
gone over to the fire that roared mp the
great open chimney fragrant fire OF
peat-s,acks and drftwood. The play of
its blue and violet flames fascinated him.
as though he were a child. He held out
his dead hands to their glow, and felt
his eyelids smart with the moisture the
pain Of their returning life brought to his
eyes.
Only One Thought.
II almost seemed as though the sigh,
of the fre-the glow of warmth that
wrapped about him in the air Of the com
Portable kitchen-had banished for the
instant all other thoughts from his mind
He hardly seemed aware Of the girl as
she moved swiftly about the kitchen, set
ting out meat and a loaf all the food
that the harder could afford the table
behind him As for her, il was plain that
she kept her eyes averted from the figure
of shame at the FIRE AS she went about
her task her lips were forming words "It
isn't possible-it isn't possible The
tears ran down her checks and she was
not aware OF them.
Betty" She turned 10 see the man
beside her looking at her with those eyes
so familiar and vet so strange eyes that
held an odd, half-furtive, half-ashamed
look--a look that seemed TO pierce through
the stupor that for the last few seconds
had held her, for, with a broken cry, she
put out her hands.
"Oh, my dear. my dear! Oh my bitter
iy wronged Jack! I never knew or guessed
what the truth was''-with self-con-
temptuous gesture that comprehended all
of the cozy kitchen, with the glory Of fire
light playing on copper and crockery, the
coarse, white-covered table, and the
rough. plentiful food And ] came here
with.your aunt-to live your life. Jack; to
walk step by step with you in your
agony. Oh, the irony Of it,"
Rimington made a movement as though
TO take her in his arms, then shrnkngly
drew back 1t was a movement that
spoke more eloquentlv than words, and
the girl answered it by another. In
moment she was against his breast. her
face upturned to his, her lips seeking his.
The fire glow on her face showed the
man the love-light In her eyes that he
had often dreamed Of, and never, even in
dreams, had hoped to see Then, as
quickly, she drew away from him.
selfish woman that ! am to satisfy
my own hunger first when you are starry
ing!'
She drew him TO the big, old-fashioned
settee beside the fire, waiting on him as
she would have waited upon a child, cut
ting up food choosing dainty portions,
mindful of the danger Of the long. cruel
fast hat he was breaking talking to him
all the while IN a low voice as she might
have spoken TO child, wrapping him
about with the glow Of her love, so that
to this man, who for months past had
not heard the sound of a womaus voice.
this low ceiinged kitchen was trans
formed into the threshold Of paradise,
lie refused TO drink, though she urged
him to take a little spirits and water
for its medicinal sake
NO; ] shall need all the few wits that
are left me- darling he told her. "For
/ am only the veriest bird Of passage here.
Has the cottage been searched yet?"
No The girl looked at him with
troubled eyes. Il don't understand We
had not even heard that you had es-
capped"
Her frightened senses leaped to the
thought Of a trap, and she read a con-
lrmation Of her fears in the mans eyes
That means they've been waiting for
me TO make for the cottage" Remington
said, in his roughened voice. that seemed
to have grown rusty through long dis
service. Il mustn't stay minute. No.
no, darlington your own sake as well as
mine, Wherever I am taken-aud it
seems inevitable that | win be taken
it must not be here Where is my
aunt?"
She is In her room, Jack" Betty said.