The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-01-30
CHAPTER VI.
In Which Dan Cupid Trespasses.

| ~ toward the home of Randolph
Shaw. In deciding upon this step, aft
err long elaboration, she had said TO
herself: Randolph Shaw is the only
real man I've seen since coming to the
mountains. can trust him to help me
tonight"
1t was fully three miles to Shaw's
place, most Of the way over the mar
row valley road She knew she would
encounter but few tortuous places.
| The last half mile. however, was steep,
rugged and unfamiliar to her. She had
ventured no nearer to his home than
Renwood's deserted cottage. lying
above and to the south Of the road, al
most at the base of the long hill on
whose side Shaw had built his big
home. To climb that hill was no easy
task In daylight; at midnight, with the
stars obscured by clouds and treetops,
there was something perilously uncer.
tain In the prospect.
Only the knowledge that patience
ana courage eventually would bring
her to the end made the journey pos
sible. Time would lead her to the
haven; care would make the road q
friend; a stout heart was her best ally.
Strength Of limb aud strength of pur.
pose she had, In use and In reserve
No power could have made her turn
back willingly. Her anxious eyes
were set ahead in the blackness. Her
to her will
why couldn't have put 1t of until
mornings" she was saying to herself
as she passed down the graveled drive
and advanced to meet the wall of
trees that frowned blackly IN her face.
What will he think? What will he
say? Oh, he'll think I'm such n silly,
romantic fool. No, he won't. He'll
understand. He'll help me on to
Plattsburg tomorrow. But will he
think I've done this for effect2 Won't
he think I'm actually throwing my
self at his head? No, l can't turn
back. I'd rather die than go back to
that house It won't matter what he
thinks. I'll he away from all Of 1t to-
morrow. I'll be out of his life. and
won't care what he thinks. England!
Goodness! What's that?" She had
turned bend in the drive, and Just
ahead there was a light. A sigh of re.
lief followed the question. IL came
from the lantern which hung TO a
stake in the road where the new stone
| gate posts were i,eing built by work
men from town. Bazelhurst Villa was
a quarter Of mile. through the park,
| hnl h.. h.,
| At the gate she stopped between the
half finished stone posts and looked
ahead with the first shiver of dismay.
| Her limbs seemed ready to collapse.
| The flush of anger and excitement left
| her face. A white, desolate look came
in its stead. Her eyes grew wide, and
she blinked her lashes with an awed
| uncertainty that BODIED III for the sta
biIfty of her adventure. An owl boot
ed In mournful cadence close by, and
she felt her hair was going straight on
end. The tense fingers of one hand
gripped the handle Of the travelling
bag. while the other went spasmod-
ically to her heart.
"Oh!' she gasped, moving over quick
ly to the stake on which the lantern
hung. The wind was rushing through
the treetops with increased fervor, the
air was cool and wet with the signs of
rain, swirl OF dust flew up into her
face, the swish OF leaves sounded like
the splashing OF water in the air.
Holding her heart for minutes, she at
last regained some OF the lost com.
posnre. A hysterical laugh fell from
her lips. what n goose! 1t was an
owl, and I've heard hundreds of them
up here. Still, they do sound different
outside of ones own room. It's going
to rain. What wretched luck, Dear
me, can't stand here all night. How
black 1t is ahead there! O-o-o-h. Really. |
now, It does seem II bit terrifying, II |
only had lantern Ii wouldn't be So
Her gaze fell upon the laborers' Ian.
tern that clattered aimlessly. uselessly, |
against the stake. An instant later she
had jerked It from its fastenings with
a cry Of joy. "l'll send 1t back when
they go for my trunks What luck"
Without seconds hesitation she
started off briskly into the woodland
road, striding along with the splendid
swing of the healthy Englishwoman
who has not been trained to dawdle.
Her walking skirt gave free play to her
limbs. She was far past the well
known cline in the road" before she
paused to take full breath and to re-
capitulate. Her heart beat faster, and
the sudden glow in her cheek was not
from the exercise Somehow, out there
alone In the world. the most amazing
feeling Of tenderness sped on ahead to
Randolph Shaw. She tried to put II
from her, but 1t grew and grew. Then
she blushed deep within herself. and
her eyes grew sweet with the memory
Ct those stolen, reprehensible hours