The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-08-06
CHAPTER XIV.
Rafting Old Bones.

my JouiuSy GU 70 IdT1S ny LuS hight /
mail. He was waiting for her on the
platform when she descended from
the wagon lit in the Care du Nord. |
Sleepy passengers crowded with them |
into the customs department. She,
alone among them all, was smiling !
brightly, as if the world could be sweet |
at an hour when, by all odds, it should
be sleepiest
Il was up and on the lookout for you
at Amiens," he declared, as they
walked off together. You might have
got Off there, you know" with a wry
grin.
II shall not run away from you
again, Brandon" she said earnestly.
Il promise, on my honor"
by Jove," he cried, that's a re-
lief!" Then he broke into a happy
| laugh.
Il shall go to the Ritz" she said,
after her effects had been examined
and were ready for release.
Il thought So" he announced calm
| ly. Il wired for rooms before l left
London"
Really, this is ridic-'
Don't frown like that, Hetty," he
pleaded.
AS they ratified and bounced over
the cobble-stones in taxi-meter on
the way to the Place Vendome, he de-
voted the whole of his conversation to
the delicious breakfast they we're to
have, expatiating glibly on the Won
derful berries that would come first in
that always-to- be-remember meal.
She was ravenously hungry by the
time they reached the hotel, just from
listening to his dissertation on chops
and rolls and coffee as they are served
in Paris, to say nothing of waff1es and
honey and the marmalade that no Eng
lishman can do without
Alone in his room, however, he was
quite another person. His calm assur-
ance took flight the instant he closed
the door and moodily began to prepare
, for his bath. Resolution was undi-
minished, but the facts in the case
were most desolating. Whatever it
was that stood between them, there
was no gainsaying it's power to influ
= ence their lives. 1t was no triae that
= caused her to take this second flight
= and the sooner he came to realize the
:. seriousness of opposition the better.
He made up his mind on one poin
in that half-hour before breakfast; i
she asked him again to let her go he
, way in peace, it was only fair to he
, and right that he should submit to tn.
inevitable. She loved him, he wa
sure of it, Then there must be yer,
= good reason for her perplexing attitud
- toward him. He would make one NOR
I,
:. Failing in that, he would accept tn
- situation as hopeless, for the time be
ing at least She should know that b
loved her deeply enough for that.
- She joined him in the little open-ai
- cafe, and they sat down at table in
- remote corner. There were few pee
pie breakfasting. In her tender blu
I eyes there was a look of sadness tina
! haunted him, even as she smiled an
| called him beloved.
| "Hetty, darling" he said. leanin
! forward and laying his hand on her!
cant you tell me what it is?"
She was prepared for the question
In her heart she knew the time ha
come when she must be fair with hin
He observed the pallor that stole int
her warm, smooth cheeks as she r.
I garded him fixedly for long time b,
a fore replying.
4 There is only one person in tn
world who can tell you, Brandon. 1t
for her to decide. l mean Sara Wra1
DALI"
7 He felt queer, sickening sensatio
of uneasiness sneak into existence.
the back of his mind, a hateful fes
| i@Y -
he looked into her somber eyes, an
as he looked the fear that was hatef7
took on something Of definite shap
Did you know her husband?"
asked, and somehow he knew what tt
answer would be.
er YES she replied, after momer
he She was startled. Her lips RENAME
L." parted.
D." He watched her closely. HAS tn
this secret anything to do with Oh;
lis Wrandall?"
ct has," said she, meeting his ga
- steadily.
His hands clutched the edge of Il
table in a grip that turned the knuckl
nd white.
,ty "Hetty!" he cried, in hoarse VIII
per. "You-can't mean that you"
GU "You must go to Sara she cri
ng hurriedly Haven't told you that S
yht is the one"
10y "Were you in love with that intern
He scoundrel? he demanded fiercely.
of Sara knows everything. She W
tell YOU"
zen Were you carrying, on an aft;
with him while protesting to be t
! l friend of his wife? Tell me that! [
are she find you out and"
it ooh, Brandon, why will you p
ry. sist?" she cried, her eyes af1ame.