Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-11-09

Sunset interrupted his thoughts
sunset and his wife. Sounds of
someone moving quietly round the
kitchen, a soft clash of dishes, the
rafting Of the CRATE, drew him back
to the door.
She showed him a face Of calm re.
straint and implacable resolve.
"Hugh"-her voice had found a new,
sweet level OF gentleness and strength
q just wanted to tell you how sorry
l am. I've let you go without your
lunch"
We'll" he admitted with a short
laugh, I'm famished!"
She paused, regarding him with her
Whimsical, indulgent smile. you
strange creature !" she said softly.
"Are you angry with me-impatient-
for this too facile descent from heroics
to the commonplace? Be patient with
me, dear"
But alarmed by his expression, her
words stumbled and ran out. She
stepped back a pace, a little flushed
and tremulous.
Hugh! No, Hugh, no."
Don't be afraid of me-" he said,
turning away. II don't mean to bother.
Only-at times"
81 know, dear; but 1t must not be-"
"Shall you make a fire again to-
night" she asked, when they had con-
cluded the meal.
"In three places" he said. wen
not stay another day for want of let
ting people know we're here. I'll go
now. When you are ready-|
Il shan't be long" she said.
When it was quite dark, Whitaker
brought a lantern to the door and
called her, and they went forth to-
gether.
As he had promised, he had built
up three towering pyres, widely apart.
When all three were In full roaring
flame, theiE Illumination was hot and
glowing over all the upland. 1t
seemed impossible that the world
should not now become cognizant of
their distress
At some distance to the north Of
the greatest f1re-that nearest the
farm-house-they sat as on the previ-
Gus night, looking out over the black
and unrespOnsive waters, communing
together in undertones.
IN That hour they learned much of
one another; much that had seemed
strange and questionable assumed, in
the understanding of each, the COM
pletiOn of the normal and right. Whit
aker spoke at length and In much de-
tail Of his Willful Missing years with
out seeking to excuse the wrong mind
ed reasoning which had won him his
own consent to live under the mask
of death. He told of the motives that
had prompted his return, of all that
had happened since in which she had
had no part-with a single reserva-
ton. One thing he kept back; the
time for that was not yet
A listener in his turn, he heard the
history of the little girl of the Com
mercial House breaking her heart
against the hardness of life in what
at first seemed utterly futile endeavor
to live by her own efforts, asking
nothing more of the man who had
given her his name.
He learned of the coming Of Max,
his interest in her, the interchangeable
pains he had expended coaching her
to bring out the latent ability his own
genius OWNED; of the initial perform
ance of Joan Thursday" before
mpa ppr aO6 in5ifforaDt ord;oDoo hon
instant triumph and subsequent con-
quest Of the country in half dozen
widely diSSimilar roles; finally of her
decision to leave the stage when she
married, for reasons comprehensive,
demanding neither exposition nor de-
fence.
1T doesn't matter any longer" she
commented, concluding: Il loved and
l hated it. 1t was deadly and 1t was
glorious. But 1t no longer matters.
1t is finished; Sara Law is no more"
"YOu mean never to go back to the
stage?"
Never"
"And yet" he unused craftily.
"NeverI" She fell blindly into his
trap. Il promised myself long ago
that If ever became a wife"
but you are no wife" he countered.
Dear, you are cruel to mel"
Il think it's you who would be
cruel to Yourself, dear heart"
Il think" she announced, wed bet
ter go in"
She rose without assistance, moved
away toward the house, paused and
returned.
Hugh" she said gently, with
Quaver in her voice that wounded his
conceit in himself; for he was sure
1t spelled laughter at his expense and
Hugh, you big sulky
boy get up this instant and come
back to the house with me. You know
I'm timid. Aren't you ashamed of
yourself2"
81 suppose So" he grumbled, rising.
81 presume it's childish to want the
moon-and sulk when you find you
can't have IT."
''Or starr"
He made no reply; but IS very
silence was eloquent. They entered
the kitchen.
"Something'u have to be done; Ii
they won't help US, We'll have to help
ourselves"
Hugh" There was alarm in her
tone He looked nm oTfckIy "Huob