Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-10-11

perhaps, but the name of Escourt
was once familiar-and pleasant 1t
is not your name, is it?"
Yes" she said.
At last he began fretfully. THAT
is the strangest thing in the world.
I have never before seen you, and
yet l am perfectly conscious that
your name has haunted me for years.
Eseourt-Escourt!- years, I tell
you," he went on in a sort of i'm
patient astonishment; lever since 1
can remember anything / can re-
member that name"
And my first name?" 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 in
tently.
No he said in dull voice; 81
have forgotten; l have been very i'll.
The name troubles me; it is strange
how the name troubles me. 1t is
something intimate-almost part of
my life that l seem to have forgot
ten" His hand sought the same
spot over his right eye. What were
We doing when you interrupted
everything" His wandering glance
fell on the canoe and the rod lying in
the bottom. and his face cleared.
Il ought to be worrying that trout
again" he said. you won't go away,
will your
mo; but I wish you would CO."
she said laughing: I'D dress if you
would give me half an hour"
You won't go-you will waltz he
20 cd oil al,
yes, l will wait
She shook ner 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 Golden pool.
Suddenly her eyes filled; but she
set her lips resolutely cropping with
white hands for her 'knotted hair.
It was high noon when his far hail
brought her to the waters edge.
do you observer" she asked, as
he climbed the bank, and she made a
gesture toward a white napkin spread
upon the moss.
A jug of milk, lettuce, bread and a
great bunch of dollhouse grapes-and
hostess in a summer gown, smiling
an invitation; what wonder that the
haggard lines in his visage softened
till something of the afterglow of
youth lay like a ray of sun across his
face.
This is perfectly charming" he
said, dropping to his knees beside
her. liam very happy that you
waited for me-"
She sat silent for a moment, with
lowered eyes. then raised them shyly.
Z 3
will you?-that nothing break our
friendship"
by the bread and salt have
shared with you" he said. half serI-
ously, half smiling, 81 promise to
cherish this forest friendship. Let
this day begin it,
Let it," she said.
Let pleasant years continue it."
"Yes-the coming years. So be it"
Let nothing end it-nothing-no
even"
"Nothing-and, amen" she said
family.
Again. unbidden. the ghosts of the
past stirred, whispering together
within him.
Il am striving" he said, ito trace
my thoughts" There was dull apol-
ogy in his voice. "All this is not ac-
cident-you and | here together. /
am bounded by something long for
gotten, something that l am almost
conscious of. When your voice
sounds / seem to be quivering on
the verge of memory. Do you
know what it is I have forgotten
She trembled to her lips. Have
you forgotten"
YES, a great deal. Is it you have
forgotten"
TRY to remember she said under
her breath.
Remember? God knows I am try
ing. Begin with me, will you?"
Yes; let us begin together. You
were hurt
YES I was hurt"
In a battle"
II was hurt in a skirmish."
"Where?" she whispered.
why, on the Subig,' he answered
surprised. 81 was in the Philippine
Scouts"
He sat bolt upright. electrified and
struck his knee sharply with the fiat
of his wasted hand.
do you know" he said excitedly,
that until this very instant have
not thought of the Philippine Scouts.
Isn't that extraordinary"
| She strove to speak, her breast rose
/ and fell and she closed her lips con-
! yulsively.
And afterward, long afterward
when the sunshine painted orange
| patches ON the westward tree trunks
| and a haze yelled the taller spires
she reminded him of the great trout;
| but he would not go without her; sc
together they descended to the
streams edge.
Floating in the canoe there through
the mellow light he remembered thai
he had left his rod ashore. but would