Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1916-02-02
CHAPTER xxIv-continued.

shadows, except that from the open
door of the room where her piano
stood there came a soft flooding of
lamDlight-a single dash of orange
in the nocturne of silver and gray.
He went up very quietly, pausing to
drink of the fragrance of the honey
suckle. and there drifted out to him,
as be paused, the music of the piano
and the better music of her voice.
She was singing a love song.
Though he had sent no word of his
coming, she was once more in eve
ming dress, all black save for GRIM
son flower at her breast and one In
her hair. But this time the sight of
her in costume so foreign to the
hills did not distress him; it was a
night that called for wonders.
She rose as the mans footstep
sounded on the floor, and then, at
memory of their last meeting. the
color mounted to her cheeks and he
took her again in his arms.
She raised her hands to his Shout
ders and tried to push him away, but
he held her firmly. and while she
sought to tell him that they must find
their way back to the colorless level
OF friendship, he could feel the wild
futter of her heart
Listen" she protested. "You must
iisten''
But Bad Anse Havey laughed
Ever since the first time saw
ye" he declared. I've been listenin'.
It has been duel always between
you and me. But the duets over now,
an this time I win .
She looked up and her pupils began
10 widen with that intense gaze which
is the drawing aside of the curtains
from womans soul, and as though
she realized that she could not trust
herself to his eyes, she turned her
face away. Only in its profile could
ne read the struggle between mind
and heart, and what he read filled
him with citation.
"Anse," she said in a very low
voice, give me truce. For one hour
let me think; 1t involves both our
lives for always: let me at least have
the chance to be sane. Give me an
hour"
The man stepped back and re-
leased her, and she turned and led
the way out to the porch, where she
sank down in the hammock with her
face buried in both hands. When at
length she looked up she was smiling
rather wanly.
1T can't be, dear she said. But
while she argued with words and os-
tensible reasons, the night was argu-
ing. too-arguing for him with all it's
sense-steeping fragrance and alluring
cadences and appeals to sleeping fires
in their hearts,!
And while she talked he made no
response, but sat there silently atten-
tive. At last he looked at his watch
and put 1t back in his pocket. He
rose and said quietly but with tone
of perfect fnality;
Your truce is over"
But don't you see? You haven't
answered one of my arguments.
Anse Havey laughed once more
q didn't come to argue" he said;
ct came to act" He drew from his
pocket the license and the ring.
Brother Anse Talbot is waitin' over
st my house to marry US. Will you
go over there or shall l go back an
Totch him here?"
She took an involuntary step to-
ward him with lifted arms, and then,
with a strong effort, as if struggling
against spell, she drew back again,
and her voice came very low ana
broken.
Il can't can't" she pleaded.
But wish to God / could"
Then Anse Havey began to speak.
we've talked, an I've listened to
ye. Yeve taken my life away from
me an made it little scrap OF your
own life-yeve let us both come to
needin' each other more than food an
drink an breath For me there's no
life without We. In all the earth there
Just you-you-you! For every true
woman in the world day comes when
there's Just one man, an for every
man there's Just one woman. Wnen
that day comes nothin' else counts
That's why all them reasons OF yours
don't mean anything"
MS voice had the ring Oh triumph
as he added: You're goin' to marry
me tonight. Comet"
He raised both arms and held them
out, and though for a moment she
hung back, her eyes were still irresist'
IDLY held by his and the magnetism
mat dwelled In them. With gasp
ing exclamation that was half surren'
Der and half echo of his own triumph
Sne swept into nis embrace.
AS she locked her fingers caressing
~ behind his dark head she wished
ioF words gEs and splendid beyond the
ordinary TO tell him of her love. But
no phrases of eloquence came
Then she felt his arms grow abrupt
~ rigid and he was pressing her from
him with gentle insistence, while his
lace turned 20 peer into the moon1gct
with the tensity of one who is iixten-
Ing not only with his ears. but with
every nerve of his being.
Slowly he drew back, still tense