Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-06-04


Stunning" was his brief comment
She was silent for long time. so
long indeed that he turned to look
at her
"A thoroughly decent. fair minded
chap is Leslie Wrandall.' he pro-
nounced, for want of something bet
ter to say still. I'm bound to say,
I'm sorry he is coming home tomor-
row."
The red crept into her cheeks again
4 thought you were such pals" she
said nervously.
Il expect to be his best man II he
ever marries.- said he, whackinE .
stone at the roadside with his walk
ing stick Then he looked up at her
furtiyely and added, with quixxicai
smile: Unless something happens"
what could happenT
HE might marry the girl I'm In
love with, and. In that case. I'd have
to be excused"
Where shall we walk to this morn
ing7" she asked abruptly. He had
drawn closer to her In the roadway
lis 1t too far to the old stone mill?
That's where ! first saw you. II You
remember"
Yes, let us go there" she said, but
her heart sank. She knew what was
coming. Perhaps it were best to have
1t over with to put it away with the
things that were to always be her
lost treasures. 1t would mean the
end Of their companionship, the end
of love dream She would have to
lie to him: to tell him she did not
love him.
Coming to the Jog In the broad mac
adam, they were striking of into the
narrow road that led to the quaint
old mill, long since abandoned in the
forest glade beyond, when their atten-
ton was drawn to motor car, which
was slowing down for the turn into
Saras domain. A cloud Of dust swan
in the air far behind the machine.
A bare-headed man on the seat be-
side the driver waved his hand to
them, and two women in the tonneau
bowed gravely. Both Hetty and
Booth flushed uncomfortably, and hes
itated in their progress up the forest
road.
The man was Leslie wrandall. His
mother and sister were In the back
seat of the touring car.
"Why-why, 1t was Leslie" cried
Booth. looking over his shoulder at
the rapidly receding car. "ShalI we
turn back, Miss Castleton7"
mo" she cried instantly, with some
thing like Impotence in her voice
And spoil our walk?" she added in
the next breath. adding nervous
little laugh.
1T seems rather" he began dubi-
ously.
"Oh, let us have our day" she cried
sharply. and led the way into the by
road.
They came, tn the course Of quar-
ter OF an hour. to the bridge over the
mill race. Beyond, in the messy
shades. stood dilapidated, centurion
structure known as Rangely's mill. a
landmark with history that included
incidents of the Revolutionary war,
when eager patriots held secret meet
ings inside its walls and plotted under
the very noses of Tory adherents to
the crown
Pausing for a few minutes on the
bridge, they leaned on the rail and
looked down into the clear, mirror
like water Of the race Their own
eyes looked up at them; they smiled
into their own faces. And a fieecy
white cloud passed over the glittering
stream and swept through their faces.
OFF to the bank, and was gone forever.
Suddenly he looked up from the wa
ter and fixed his eyes on her face. He
had seen her clear blue eyes I'LL with
tears as he gazed into them from the
rail above.
"oh. my dear!" he cried. what is
it,"
She put her handkerchief to her
eyes as she quickly turned away. In
another instant she was smiling up
at him, a soft, pleading little smile
that went straight to his heart.
Shall we start back?" she asked.
a quaver in her voice.
No." he exclaimed. i've got to
go on with it now, Hetty. I didn't
intend to, outcome, let US go up and
sit on that familiar old log In the
shade Of the mill You must, dearis
She suffered him to lead her up
the steep bank beyond and through
the rocks and rotten timbers to the
great beam that protruded from the
shattered foundations of che mill.
The rickety old wheel, weather-beaten
and sad, rose above them and threat
ened to toppls over II they SO much
as touched its fiimsy supports.
He did not release her hand after
drawing her up beside him.
You must know that love you"
he said simply.
She made no response. Her hand
lay limp in his. She was staring
straight before her