The Washington times., 1913-03-17

long at a time Life is, after all, an
everyday affair. We've just got to
stumble through it from day to day
mostly on the low levels. Be patient
But. alarmed by his expression, her
words stumbled and ran out. She
stepped back pace. little flushed and
tremulous.
Hugh! No. Hugh. no.
Don't be afraid OF me- he said.
turning away Il don't mean to bother.
0nly-at times
II know, dear. but it must not be-"
She had recovered; there was cool de-
cision m her accents. She began to
move briskly around the kitchen, setting
the table, preparing the meal.
He made no attempt to reason with
her. but sat quietly waiting. His role
was patience, tolerance, strength re-
strained in waiting.
Shall you light the fire again to-
night?" she asked when they had con-
cluded the meal.
In three places" he said. We'll not
stay another day for want of letting
people know we're here
She looked down shyly. Coquetry with
her was instructive, irrepressible. Her
vague provoking emile edged her lips.
''You-you want to be rid Of me again.
SO soon, Hugh?"
face. silent until his undertaking gaze
caught and held her eyes.
Mary" he said slowly, Il want you.
/ mean to have YOU. Only by getting
away from this place will that be pos
sible. You must come to me Of your
She made the faintest negative mo-
ton of her head, her eyes fixed to his
in fascination.
you WILL he insisted in the same
level tone. IF you love me. as you say,
you must. No-that's nonsense / won't
gzfz v,,,,a 81 q.
and noble thing. but ii must have "A
sane excuse. You said 4 while ago
this was a commonplace world; life an
everyday affair. II is. The only thing
that lifts life out of the deadly, intol-
cradle rut is this wonderful thing man
has invented and named lore
Without IL We are as nature made
us-brute things-cra wiling and suuab-
bling in the blind squalor of rrimevaI
ooze.
But love raises us a Iittle-it is su-
pernatural, and the only thing in all
creation that rises superior to nature
There's no such thing as lie accursed
no such thing as a life that blights:
there are no malign and vicious forces
operating outside the realm of natural
forces; love alone is supreme, subject
to no known laws.
Il mean to prove ii TO You; / mean to
show you how little responsible YOU
succession
Of misfortunes that have ovcrtdken men
who loved you. ! shall show you that
j am far more blameworthy than You.
And when ! have done that, you will
come 10 me-"
Il am afraid" she whispered breath-
lessly; Il am afraid / shall"
He rose TIL then, my dearest girl,
don't, please don't, ever shrink from
me again. j may not be able to dis
guise my love. but until Your fears are
done away with your mind at rest. no
act OF mine, within my control, shall
ever cause you even so much as an in
stan''s annoyance or distress"
His tone changed. TN 20 now and
build my fires. When you are ready.
Il sha'n't be long" she said.
But for long after he had left her
she ugnered moveless by a window, her
saze following him as he moved TO and
fro: her face now wistful, now rent
with distress. now bright with longing.
Strong passions contended within:
love and fear joy and regret; at times
crushing apprehensions of evil darkeped
her musings. until she could have cried
out with the torment of her fears; and
against intimations possessed her OF
exquisite beauty. warming and ennob-
ling her heart, all but persuading her.
At length, signing. she moved away
from the window, lighted the lamp. and
went about her tasks with a bended
uehh, WpHuei iiiS dNu frightened, fear
fully questioning her own inscrutable
heart.
Was II for this only that she had
fought herself all through that day,
that she should attain an outward sem
blance Of calm so complete as to de-
ceiVe even herself. so frsil as to lie
rent away and banished completely by
the mere tones OF his mastering voice? I?
Was she to know no rest? Was il TO
be her fate to live out her DAYS in
yearning, eating her heart alone, feed
Ing with signs the pa ssng winds? Or
was she too weak to hold by her vows?
Was she TO yield and. winning happi-
ness. in that same instant encompa IS
fits destruction?