The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-10-16

tongues a chance to ciseR sncs zassa-
She drew the reins taut
"A real philanthropy" he assented,
grinning, as the horse iumberingly re-
sumed its journey.
Mark swung slowly along homeward.
He smiled pityingly. He had read
Alright the new interest in Unity's face
that Of the condemned prisoner who
has heard rumor of reprieve He was
sorry for her And pity-we have 1t
from the poets-is loves poor relation.
Mark regained measure Of strength.
He discarded one crutch and began
each day to take few steps expert
mentally with no support but cane.
He spent many beautiful idle hours.
alone or with Richard Courtney, driv-
ing his new horse among the hills.
Sometimes often-Unity was with
him on these drives. Tongues clacked
according to prophecy. But Mark did
not care. And Unity did not care.
Mark fell placidly and easily in love
with Unity again At least, the while
protesting, he decided that it must be
love.
But the protest was half-hearted
He wanted to love.
Are We. goin to stay here in
Bethel?" Simon broke long silence
to inquire, one rainy evening.
Il don't know" Mark answered out
of brown study, off his guard. But
he added quickly: Yes, l do know.
I'm going to stay
Then, what are ye goin' to dor"
Il don't need to do anything. I've
! got twenty thousand dollars. That'll
last me-in Bethel"
Simon shook his head gravely. "Ye
can't stand that. Ye've got to do
somethin' An there's nothin' to do
here-yet."
And never will be-"
| "Mebby not. All the more reason
why that Mister Henley's right
Would you have me go back to
| the city?'
Yes"
| You don't know what you're say
ing" Mark began Tritably. Il could
never take pen siusher's job. The
mills are all know And that life
you don't know it, 1t costs too much.
1t takes it out of you, drives you like
slave. Tim not fit for 1t now.
It-oh, let's not talk about it,
But Simon had more than one of
Marks problems on his mind.
Are ye,' he went on, "goin' to
marry Unity Martini"
Il don't know. | suppose So"
IF We don't find out purity soon,'
remarked Simon most surprisingly,
shell do your KNOWN fur We.
wouldn't
Mark stopped at window, looking
frowningly out at the sheets of rain
that dashed across the square of light.
Simon must have felt deeply on the
subject, for he repeated, Il wouldn't. "
No. said Mark testify, Il suppose
/ you wouldn't / don't know. But If
do it, it will be with my eyes open.
Which seems a most unlover-like say
ing.
There was an evening when he was
alone with Unity on Squire Martins
front porch. 1t was enc of the soft
dangerous nights that sometimes
come to Bethel in early September
They talked little and that in low
| tones.
Once he leaned toward her. He had
to peer closely to make out her look
of content.
DO you know" he remarked. you
ought to be glad I came back?"
Indeed! And why?'
Have you looked in the mirror
lately? When first came you looked
WELL cranky and as though you
didn't care whether school kept OF
not"
We'll, Of all the conceit! l sup
pose you take all the credit" Thus
she admitted certain improvements.
And why not?" he laughed lazily
When you come right down to it
Unity, you never really, definitely
threw me over"
1T isn't too late"
Yes, it is too late"
She said nothing. But when he
reached up to take her hand he found
1t tightly clenched little ball.
Unity, do you remember the drive
we took that Sunday before went tc
the city,"
II think / do"
she thinks she doesi" he apostro
phized the night Il have a scheme
Tomorrow, right after dinner, I'm go
ing to drive down here for you. Unity
let's have the Sunday over again
in every particular"
Again she was silent.
You doa't agree?"
Tim not sure"
That you love me?"
She shook her head. THAT want
to marry you.''
But when he drew her down and
kissed her, she did not resist. Wait,
he whispered fatuously, until tomor
row. Then you will be convinced
Although what virtue the morrow
would hold he did not say He prob
ably did not guess.
Unity did not scruple to change the