Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-08


shone down as bright silver. Unconscious
ly he had auickened his pace little as he drew
the brightly lighted glade.
Suddenly he stopped short and wnirled round,
whipped his hands out of his pockets and nstnctivelv
let his stick slip down into the grip of big right hand,
while his eyes searched vany in the saiowy blackness
of the grove:
Something had stirred, something unseen, not three
PAGES away. 1t breathing now, whatever it was,
and it human No animal caught its breath in that
uneven, terrified way. And then
"Oh!" said voice in what was hardly more than
whisper. ooh! I'm glad it's you'll
CHAPTER II. The White Rabbit
TT was second or two before he could find any words
at all Then, "You' he said unsteady. us it
really you? Here?"
If she answered, it was with nod that he couldn't
in the dark; but he heard her draw other long,
uneven breath
Then he got himself together. Are YOU alone?' he
asked. "And in trouble? Has anything happened:'
"I-Im alone" she said; "but only frightened
"Has anyone" he began, and once more his grip
tghtened on the heavy stick -
NO." she interrupted there's been nobody. It's
all my fault. But-but won't you please take me
away?'
He CROPPED forward in the dark. Il can't you at
But just then his hand met hers. 1t cold and
rather tremulous But somehow, the way it caught
hold of his seeking protection and then relaxed having
found it. flame of something surgng all him,
something he had never felt before.
I'm glad you're real she said. And with that the
hand withdrawn
commented not very steadily; but he didn't ask her
then what it that had frightened her. You'd
better let me take your ARM he went on. well be
out of here in no time.
Her arm slipped into his quickly and confidently
enough but when he started to lead her out Of the
darkness of the grove into the lighted glade beyond she
hung back. And now he felt her trembling.
She walked pace or two, then stopped. Il don't
believe can do it." she said. Cant we go home some
other way?
He peered curiousy down the road. Nothing that he
could could account any way for the girl panic
just the peaceful highway cleaning in the moonlight
and the gray old church and the churchyard wall and
the bit of greensward between it and the road. The
obvious terror lay the other way the sadowy black
of the grove of giant horse chestnut trees But the
instinct that had senced his curiosity before kept
him from betraying any surprise or asking any
questions
@Of course we can he said "There must be another
way to the village though may be rather roundabout
But you won't mind the walk will your"
mo-" she said, with little gasp of relief.
So they turned and walked back through the grove
remembered leading off to the right; and after two
three miles of steady going, up and down hill and by
many uncharted courses they found themselves at last
at the head of the old bridge
THERE'S still the better part of mile to co. he
reminded her. Don't you want to rest here for
few minuteS?'
1t was almost the first thing that had been said be-
tween them all the way. She had been waiting for him
to begin while he had trudged along queerly content
with the silence and her presence there beside him,
and the feeling that every moment that went by was
tightening some sort of bond between m-somethng
that tomorrow whatever it might bring, would be pow
erless to take away.
"Im not tired she said "At least there's reason
why should be- I'm very strong, and it hasn't been
long walk really"
But for all that she seated herself rather Imply he
thought low stone rail that guarded the approach
the bridge He sat down beside her. and with good
deal of deliberation loaded and lighted his pipe.
Once she shifted the aromatic smoke with relish.
@Youre very good me- she said, after the silence
had spun itself out little longer. Then she smiled.
"And you must think I'm perfect idiot"
"For being frightened? Not me. I've been scared