The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-11-02
nothing but woods sn6 vayer ~

nothing but woods and water.~
She pointed out across the valley TO-
ward moundlike outline yellow under
the moon; pointed into the north aud
asked another question.
rs that part Of the embankmentr
she wanted to know. "Is that the d.
rection In which Mr.. wickersham's
timber liesr'
The man nodded.
Just q few miles up through that
notch" he told her That's the end
Of the rail bed which we have been
building along the river edge"
Her next words made him start and
then try to cover that moment with q
readjustment Of his long body.
"I'm going up there tomorrow. Mr..
Wickersham has asked me to ride with
him in the morning." She waited q
moment or two. "That-thats why I
came out here tonight. Wen be going
back to town the next day or two, and
] wanted to have a chance to bid you
goodby before left Morrison for the
winter"
He had known that she would not
be likely to remain In the hills much
longer. He had realized that each day
which he checked or, always hopeful
that the next might open the way for
him to see her again, was steadily
bringing nearer the date of her de-
parture. But he had not let himself
think that II would come so soon.
There was no doubt this time about
the heavjness OF his voice.
II see.~ he said. II see."
There came a long silence. Rising
out OF II, Barbara's voice sounded very,
very little.
"I've never known a sky In which
the stars were so thick. They're
they're like field Of buttercups. And
have you ever seen such an irrepressi
bly, happy creature as Miriam was to-
night? She was radiant, positively
shameless. Did you know that Garry
knows
81 told him myself" said Steve sim
ply.
The girl faced around in her sur
prise.
your
Most certainly. Why notT' His
voice was not quite so unenthusiastic
now. Its one Of the few unmistak-
able opportunities I've ever had to
make two people permanently as hap
by as Miriam was tonight I'd feel
guilty all my life II didn't help all I
could. knowing how happy am going
to be myself"
Thus did he work around, quite with
out abruptness, to a renewal Of that
discussion which she had thought to
close weeks before.
"Are you trying to infer that I am
to be a part Of that happinessT she
asked none too promisingly.
"You ought to know. l said all my
life.'"
And there suddenly Barbara laughed
81 suppose now they'll marry and
live happily ever after!" she exclaim-
ed, with an attempt at airiness.
most certainly" asserted Steve. al
though her mirth puzzled him. why
Is 1t funny to your
ut isn't, but-yes, 1t is too. now
that it's no longer a thing one need
worry about. That's always the trou-
BILE with emotions which are too IN
tense. They're either very sad to con-
template or very, very absurd. And
they will persist In exchanging faces,
to the confusion Of the onlookers. Gar
~ was so dangerously in love with
Mary Graves, you see"
He was In love with an idea" the
man contradicted natly. HE was In
love with just that. And 1t il not safe
for any man to live alone with an abb
stract conception Of anything. He's
bound sooner or later to lose his grip
on tangible things II he does. He's
likely to start destroying property to
further the cause Of labor or liable to
turn to shooting men who were born
to Jobs I'm certain some of them never
wanted-kings and that sort. mean
figuring ON solving the social problems
Of men and women who must solve
that problem themselves. Perfection
Is a fine thing to anticipate: expecta-
tons Of 1t are dangerous. And women
aren't made that way"
"Nor Her voice slid coolly upward
"No," he told her and smiled with
that serenity she had come to know 30
well. "Not even you, though l sup
pose I'd about annihilate any one else
IL he ever limited at It." He chose to
be didactic in tone. "No. you're not
perfect. You've too much intelligence
for that. Why. right now you're fight
ing with your brain against the die
tates Of your heart. and II you were
above mortal error In judgment you'd
know that you are wasting your time
"Your opinion has the merit Of sin
CERTIFY" she said, although, looking
back upon IA certain day, l can't
help but wonder whether you haven't
been guilty of mounting pretty moth
ings for my poor ears"
THAT proves my point right now"
He was imperturbable. you're beg
ging the question to gain
"You said she flashed and then
grew red.
II said I'd let you ask no pardon OF
me. 1 said I'D let myself find no flaw
I'm you. But how does that embarrass
my present argumentf Flawless per
lection would be a mighty difficult