The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1912-11-13
ODE
Wonen'S
G at e
Continued from page six

q
she need protection from her pro-
tector? II she had been more guard
ed In her bantering conversation Of
the morning, II she had not been quite
SO natural and unconventional.
She looked up and down the beach
hurriedly as though she would run
away, a sudden passion for flight
coming over her. But where could
she go? And there were snakes and
bears in the woods! What should she
do?
Bedight found her sitting upon the
edge of the boat. She started as he
drew near and took on a new reserve.
He looked at her Understandings and
dropped his joking mood.
Here Is the Coffee" he said, pro-
dhcing a sodden mass, "but the pot
must have followed the cyclone Shall
we go back?"
She looked up like a frightened
child with that pleading look we see
in the eyes of a cornered rabbit.
Come" he said, kindly, "the pot
boils and you will be needed soon to
pour the cOHee.
She arose without word and fol-
lowed him into the shack.
"And now" he said, IL am going
away for an hour. There is plenty
of wood here. Take off your vet
clothes and dry them. When you have
finished. call from the door. 1 will
be on the beach. Do not be afraid.
I will not be out of hearing"
Thank you" she replied, and
there was a more cheerful information
In her voice.
Bedight sat upon log and watched
the white-caps whip themselves along
the shore. The sky was clear and
the moon came out from its nest be-
bind the wood and glowed like ball
of crimson ochre. For an hour he sat
thus, when he heard q step upon the
gravel behind him.
The coffee Is ready, Mr.. Bedight.
If you are as hungry as I. we shall
do ample justice to saleratus biscuits
and coffee"
They sat down by the light of an oil
lamp that contained two inches of
Kerosene
"Oh. If Pauline could only see us
now" laughed Miss McConnell-or
Mine Host-"but it's good, anyhow, IL
you're hungry enough"
add to all your other charms" said
Bedight, lightly, ''the quality of being
q good cook"
VThe girls face grew serious again.
Bedight noted the varying shades, but
paid no outward heed. The rough
fare and the abominable coffee were
palatable and both felt better after
eating.
They sat quietly after the meal, the
oil burning lower and lower in the
lamp. Outside. q wolf barked and in
the margin of ne wood night bird
flew by with raucous cry.
"And now" said the mayor, jovially,
ut is the curfew hour in Eden. The
last one in bed won't have to blow
out the light, for it is going out of its
own accord"
He arose and, taking off his coat,
rolled it into pillow.
"Lie down here and rest while, "
he said, gently.
"Please, Mr.. Bedight," replied the
girl. her face flushed and her eyes
turned away.
The mayor arose and stood before
her.
"Miss Mcconnell" he spoke quietly.
reassuringly, 81 had q mother once.
She was sweet and pure-and-and
she died." The mayors voice broke
for the moment. "She-she taught
me to respect womanhood. She taught
me to be open and simple and sincere.
The situation In which we find our
selves Is trying only as we make 1t so.
Let us be sensible and direct. There
isIthe bunk. Lie down and sleep, II
you can. ! shall stretch out upon the
floor and try 1t myself. You need
have no fear that"
"Forgive me-" she cried, laying her
hands upon his. II have no fear
nothing but explicit trust and conf.
---sAl"