The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-11-30

doors. Oh, IL she but dared TO run
away from him! But that h might
not do, for all his threats would then
probably be made good by him upon
her dear mother and brother. No, she
must be patient and bear to the end all
that was set down for her. But she
would get out and breathe a little be-
fore he returned. He had very likely
gone into the smoker. She remem-
bered that the George Of old a been
an inveterate smoker Of cigarets. She
would have. time for a taste OF the
morning while he had his smoke. And
IL he returned and found her gone
what mattered It? The inevitable be-
ginning OF conversations which she SO
dreaded would be put off for a time.
She never thought to come upon him
standing thus alone, looking off at the
beauty Of the morning as II he en-
joyed Ii. The sight of him held her
still. watching, as his sleeping face
had held her gaze earlier in the morn
ing. How different he was from what
she had expected! How the 10 years
had changed him! One could almost
fancy 1t might have changed his spirit
also-but for those letters-those terri
BILE letters! The writer of those let
ters could not change. except for the
worse!
And yet, he was handsome, intellec-
tual looking, kindly in his bearing, ap-
preciative of the beauty about him
she could not deny it, 1t was most as
tonishing. He had lost that baggy look
under his eyes,, and the weak, selfish,
cruel pout Of lip she remembered SO
keenly.
Then he turned, and a smile of de-
light and welcome lit up his face. In
spite Of herself, she could not keep an
answering smile from glimmering
family in her own.
What! You up and out here?" he
said, Fastening closer to the step. How
are yoIl feeling this morning? Better,
I'm sure, or you would not be here so
early!p'
"Oh, L had to get out to the air." she
said. IL couldn't stand the car an Jther
minute. l wish we could walk the rest
Of the way"
do you 2" he said, with a quick, sur
prised appreciation in his coice. II was
just wishing something like that my
self. Dc you see that beautiful straight
road down there? l was longing to
slide down this bank and walk over to
that little village for breakfast. Then
we could get an auto, perhaps, or a
carriage, to take us on to another
train. If you hadn't been so i'll last
night, / might have proposed it."
Gould WEI" she asked earnestly. II
should like 1t so much" and there was
eagerness in her voice. What a lovely
morning." Her eyes were wistful, like
the Eyes Of those who weep and won
der why they may not laugh, since sun
shine is still yellow.
O curse we could" he said, IF
you were only able"
"Oh, I'm able enough. l should much
much rather do hat than to go back
into that stuffy car. But wouldn't they
think II awfully queer of us to run
away from the train this way?"
They needn't know anything about
it," he declared, like a boy about to
play truant. "In slip back in the car
n get GU suit cases. Is there any
thing Of yours l might be in danger of
leaving behind?"
NO, l put everything in my suit case
before / came out" she said, listlessly,
as though she had already lost her de-
sire to go. w.. ..... ..
Tin afraid you are not able" he
said, pausing solicitously as he scaled
the steps.
She vas surprised at his interest in
her welfare.
why, of course I am" she said, in
sistently. II have often taken longer
walks than that looks to be, and / shall
feel much better for being out. I real
ly feel as If l couldn't stand it any
longer in there" -.
Good! Then We'll try it,"
He hurried in for the baggage and
left her standing on the cinder roadbed
beside the train looking off at the
opening morning.