The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1913-10-13

close friend-named Escourt."
| "Escourt," he repeated blankly.
| And after a long silence he turned
away with a gesture that seemed
to brighten her. But into her face
came flash of determination. red
dening her cheeks again.
You say my friends name WAS
Escourt? Is my friend dead?"
please do not let 1t matter"
| 1T does matter. lit is n fancy,
| perhaps. but the name Escourt was
once familiar-and pleasant. 1t is
not your name. is it?"
YES" she said.
At last he began fretfully: THAT
I have never before seen you, and
yet 1 am perfectly conscious that
your name has haunted me for
years. Escourt--ESCOURT for
years, tell you," he went on in a
sort of impatient astonishment;
ever since i can remember any
thing l can remember that name"
"And my first manner" Flushed.
voice scarcely steady. she avoided
his troubled gaze.
And as he did not answer, she
said: you once knew my husband.
Can you not remember"
He shook his head, studying her
intently.
NO" he said in a dull voice, II
have forgotten; I have been very Ill.
| The name troubles me; 1t is strange
how the name troubles me. 1t liz
something intimate-almost part of
my life that I seem to have forgot
| ten" His hand sought the same
spot over his right eye. What
were we doing when you interrupt
ed everything?" His wandering
| glance fell on the canoe and the rod
| lying In the bottom. and his face
cleared.
II ought to be worrying that trout
again." he said. You won't go
away, will your
she said laughing; "Pd dress II you
would give me half an hour"
"You won't go-you will waltz
he repeated, almost childishly.
| Eyes, will walt"
| She shook her head, watching him
embark; standing there looking out
across the water where the paddle
bubbles marked his course long
after the canoe had vanished around
the curved shore of the Colder
| Pool.
Suddenly her eyes filled; but she
set her lips resolutely, gropinf
with white hands for her knottes
hair.
Il 1t was high noon when his IA
| hail brought her to the water''
| edge.
| do you observer" she asked, al
he climbed the bank; and she made
| gesture toward white napkin
spread upon the moss.
A jug of milk, lettuce, bread and
| great bunch of dollhouse grapes
/ and a hostess in a summer gown,
smiling an invitations; what won.
der that the haggard lines in his
visage softened till something OF
the afterglow of youth lay like 9
ray of sun across his face.
| lHlS 10 pCrIcCliy Shdi hhhet II
said, dropping to his knees beside
her. Il am very happy that you
waited for me-"
She sat silent for a moment, will
/ lowered eyes, then raised then
shyly. LET us eat bread and sal
together, will you?-that nothint
break our friendship"
by the bread and salt I hav'
shared with you," he said, half Sc
riously, half smiling. Il promis
to cherish this forest friendship. LIE
this day begin it."
Let it," she said.
Let pleasant years continue IT..
| "Yes--the coming years. So b
it,"
LET nothing end it--nothing-no
even"
| "Nothing-and, amen." she SAT-
family.
Again, unbidden, the ghosts of thu
past stirred, whispering together
within him.
Il am striving" he said, ito trace
my thoughts" There was dull
apology in his voice. "All this |!
not accident-you and I here to
gether. I am haunted by some
thing long forgotten, something
that am almost conscious of
When your voice sounds seem t.
be quivering on the verge of mem
DRY. 49,. Do you know VIVA
it is I have forgotten"
| She trembled to her lips. laav'
you forgottenY
"Yes--a great deal. Is It you
have forgotten?"
| .'Try to remember" she said un
der her breath.
Remember? God knows I an
trying. Begin with me, will you?
4 yes; let us begin together. Yo'
were hurt"
eyes, I was hurt"
I'm battle"
IT was hurt In a skirmish."
'sWhere?" she whispered.
why, on the Subig," he answer
ed. surprised; II was in the Philip
pine scouts.'
He sat bolt upright, electrified
and struck his knee sharply witt
the flat OF his wasted hand.
| do you know" he said excitediy
that until this very instant hav
not thought OF the Philippin