Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-02-06


They passed the region where the
cruel ak had swung and SCARED; the
trees became bigger. the forest denser.
Here and there they came to a rapids
where the canoes had to be lifted and
carried
Her almost awed perception of each
unfolding beauty touched him. On a
jutting point they found deserted
little cabin. some trapper's winter
abode There the journey ended When
the hut had been cleaned out, they dis
missed the guide with orders to re-
turn every three weeks with fresh
supplies
Mindful OF his resolve, he planned
their days carefully. thinking only that
they might be perfect for her.
The man was swept out of himself.
out of his groove of thought, as never
before. His struggles and victories
and disappointments receded; they
seemed part of another existence. II
he thought of them briefly at all, it
was but as price well paid for his
freedom He did not guess that the
habit OF thinking infinitely for her
happiness was slowly prying loose
other and firmly fixed habits.
Two moons waxed and waned The
a second time. On his third appear
ance. the time set for their departure.
Mark without consulting Kazia. sent
him back She did not seem to notice
the change in plan.
On the day when the guide should
have returned again, he did not come
That evening storm arose, such as
rarely visits even those northern
woods. Mark and Kazia were out on
the lake for lazy after-supper paddle,
watching the masses of black clouds
gather over the, hills at the head of
the lake. There was a rumble of dis
tant thunder
Suddenly, overtaking the mountain
GUS vapor. appeared a lower plane of
cloudS. flying before a wind that struck
the water and sent a line of white
churning down the lake. They were
not far out. but though they padded
swiftly, their light craft was tossing
like cork before they reached shore
They made their landing, dragged the
canoe to safety and fed to the cabin
just as wall of green and darkness
swept down upon them
The fury was soon spent The storm
passed beyond the lake. Still they
watched, in one of their long silences
She sighed and stirred, looking up
at him. Il wonder" She paused
"Yes?"
Have I hurt your"
Hurt me?"
by loving you. By coming here"
one be harmed by a perfect love? And
1t has been perfect 1 can never for
get"
His heart ached with a deep poign-
ant tenderness for her. They were
silent again But after time
drowsiness overcame him and he slept
She did not sleep. Until morning
she kept her vigil beside him. Some
times she would lean over and touch
his outflung hand. -.
When he awoke the sun was well up
over the hills. Kazia was standing in
the doorway, looking down the lake.
She heard him stir and turned He
saw her eyes.
Il believe you haven't slept at ALI"
She did not answer that, but smiled.
pointing.
THE guide is coming Let US hurry.
1t is time for us to co.
mol" He sprang to his feet.
Please" she put out an appealing
hand, "let us not talk Of it, but hurry.
We must go. I've thought it out, and
1t is best"
They breakfasted hurriedIy and be-
gan the brief preparations to leave,
putting the cabin in order and stow
ing into the canoes the little they
would need on the trip down the river.
They were soon ready.
They were about to embark when
Kazia, without explanation, turned and
went back to the cabin Many min
Then Mark followed her. He found
her lying prone on the pile of pine
boughs that had been their couch, face
buried in her arms. Harsh dry sobs
shook her
With cry he dropped to his knees
beside her. gently stroking her hair,
trying to soothe her grief He pleaded
with her to stay.
Soon she had regained control She
sat up. facing him
How can you think of going? Back
there we won't find it as it has been
here"
I'VE must" she answered. And
now, while it's still perfect 1t has
crowded into two months happiness
enough for a lifetime. If Unjust pay
for it, / am willing. -. And you
have given 1t to me- Do you think /
haven't seen how you've watched over
me, thought only of me, to make it
perfect for me? / can never forget
that. And maybe, some day, I shall
have the chance to repay you. / pray