The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-05-28

Frederic, White Faced and ScowIng
Remained at the Window.
frightened, darling. It's all right
Listen to me! Mrs. Desmond is as
safe as
"Oh, Freddy, Freddy" she walled,
breaking under strain that he was
not by way of comprehending. ooh,
Freddy, dear!" Her nerves gave way.
She was sobbing convulsively when
they came to the lower hall.
In great distress, he clasped her in
his arms, mumbling incoherent words
of love, encouragement ridicule
for the fear she betrayed. Far from
his mind was the real cause of her un-
happy plight.
He held her close to his breast and
there she sobbed and trembled as
with mighty, racking chill. Her fin
gers clutched his arm with the grip
of one who clings to the edge of a
precipice with death below. Her face
was buried against his shoulder.
"You will come with me, Freddy p
she was whispering, clinging to him
as one in panic.
Yes, yes. Don't be frightened. Lyd-
dy. IL know everything is all right
now. I'm sure of It."
"Ob, I'm sure too, dear. ] have al
ways been sure" she cried, and he
understood, as she had understood.
Despite the protests of Jones, they
dashed out into the blighting thun-
rents, the din was internal. AS the
door closed behind them Lydia, in the
ecstasy of freedom from restraint bit
terly imposed, gave vent to shrill
cry of relief. Words, the meaning of
which he could not gSaspunbabbled
from her lips as they ID the
steps. One sentence feif sclear
from the others, and it W him.
He was sure that she sails~Oh, am
SO glad, so happy we are out of that
house-you and together"
Close together, holding tightly to
each other, they breasted the whirling
sheets of rain. The big umbrella was
of little protection to them, although
held manfuliy to break the force of
the cold flood of waters. They bent
their strong young bodies against the
wind, and sort of wild, impish hilar-
ity took possession of them. 1t was
freedom. after all. They were fighting
a force in nature that they understood
and the sharp, staccato cries that
came from their lips were born of an
exultant glee which neither of them
could have suppressed nor controlled.
Their hearts were as wild as the tenn
pest about them.
Mrs. Desmond threw open the door
as their wet, soggy feet came s1osh
ing down the hall. Frederie's arm
was about. Lydia as they approached,
md both of their drenched faces were |
Ireathed in smiles-gay, exalted |
smiles. The mother, whitefaced and
earfu1, stared for a second at the
lmazing pair, and then held out her
rms to them.
She was drenched in their embrace.
70 one thought of the havoc that was
'eing created in that swift, impulsive
ontact.
Il must run back home" exclaimed
frederic. Lydia placed herself be-
ween him and the door,
mo! want you to stay" she cried.
He stared What a funny ideal"
Wait until the rain is over" added
IRIS. Desmond
mo. no." cried Lydia. Il mean for
i'm to stay here the rest Of the night.
Te can put you up, Freddy. IL
ont want you to go back there un-
Until tomorrow"
A glad light broke In his face. by I
we, lido you know, I'd like to stay. !
Il really would, Mrs. Desmond Can {
u find place for me?" His voice {
as cage. his eyes sparkling.
YES" said the mother. quietly, al {
Ost sereneJy. "Ycu shall have
Ydia's bed, Frederic. She can come 7
with me. Yes, you must stay. Are :
u moi our Frederick" c
Thank ycu." hs stammered. and his +
81 fell
7 win telephone to Jones when the 8
orm abatss." said Mrs Desuond 7