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

be discovered, and perhaps even pre-
vented. 1t certainly was better not to
have it known where they got off. He
had taken the precaution to close the
stateroom door behind him, and SO 1t
might be some time before their abb
sence would be discovered. Perhaps
there would be other stops before h
train reached Buffalo, in which case
their track would not easily be fol-
lowed. He had no idea that the evil
eye OF his pursuer was even then upon
him.
Celia was already on the ground,
looking off toward the little village
wistfully. Just how II was to make
her lot any brighter to get out OF the
train n run away to a strange little
village she did not quite explain to
herself, but 1t seemed to be a relief to
her pent UP feelings. She was half
afraid that George might raise some
new objection when he returned.
Gordon swung himself down on the
cinder path, scanning the track either
way. The conductor INK brakemen
were not in sight. Far in the distance
them. Gordon could hear the vibration
Of the rail of the second track, upon
which he placed his foot as he helped
Celia across. In a more the
train would pass. 1t was important
that they should be down the embank-
blCiils wv VI olBll "Oulu III ~
girl not be afraid of the steep incline?
She hesitated for just an in
slant at the top, for 1t was very
steep. Then, looking up at him, she
saw that he expected her to go down
with him. She gave a little frightened
gasp, set her lips and started.
He held her as well as he could with
two suitcases and an umbrella ciutched
in his other hand, and finally, as the
grade grew sleeper, he let go the bag
gage altogether, and IL slid briskly
down by itself, while he devoted him
self to steadying the girls now inevita-
BILE and swift descent
1t certainly was not an ideal way Of
travelling, this new style of gravity"
road, but 1t n them without delay,
though much shaker n scratched n
Invested Of every vestige of dignity. 1t
was impossible not to laugh and Celia's
voice rang out merrily, showing that
s shrra had Rot always wept and looked
Are you hurt?' asked Gordon anx-
iousiy, holding her hands and looking
down at her tenderly.
Before she could reply, the express
train roared above them, drowning
their voices and laughter; and when
1t was past they saw their w train
take up its interrupted way grumbling-
ly, and rapidly move off. IL the pas
sengers on those two trains had not
been deeply wrapped in slumber, they
might have been surprised to see two
fashionably attired young persons, with
hats awry and clasped hands, laugh
Ing in a country road at 8 o'clock of a
May morning. But only one was awake,
and by the time the two in the road
below remembered to look up and take
notice, the trains were rapidly aisap-
pearing.
The girl had been deeply impressed
with Gordon's solicitude for her. 1t
was SO out of keeping with his letters.
He had never seemed to care whether
she suffered or not. In all the arrange
ments, he had said what he wanted. In
deed what he would have, with an i'm
piled threat in the framing of his SEN
tence in case she dared demur. Never
had there been the least e. expression OF
desire for her happiness. Therefore it
was something of a surprise to find
him so gsptle and thoughtful of her.
Perhaps. after all. he would not prove
so terrible to live. with as she had
feared. And yet-how could anyone
who wrote those letters have any al
leviating qualities? 1t could not be.
She must harden herself against him.
Still, If he would be Outwardly decent
to her, it would make her lot easier, of
ours .....
But her course of mental reasoning
was broker in upon by his stout de-
nunciations of himself.
Il ought not to have allowed you to
slide down there" he declared. 1T was
terrible, after what you went through
last night. / didn't realize how steep
and rough 1t was. Indeed I didn't. 1
don't see how you ever can forgive me-"
why, In not hurt" she said gently,
astonished at his solicitation. There
was a strange lump in her throat
brought by his kindness, which threat
ened tears. lust why should kindness
from an unexpected quarter bring
tears?
I'm only a little shaken up" she
went on as h saw a real anxiety in
hts brown eyes, and / don't mind ii
in h least. l think it was rather fun,
don your"
A faint glimmer of a smile wavered
over the corners of her mouth, and
Gordon experienced a sudden desire 10
take her in his arms and kiss her. 1t
was a strange new feeling. He had
never a any such thought about Julia
Bentley.
why, why, yes, l guess so, If you
are sure you're not hurt"
mot a bit" she said, n then, for
some unexplained reason, they both be-
gan to laugh. After that they felt bet
ter,
III your shoes are as full Of these
miserable cinders as mine are, they
need emptying," declared Gordon. shak-
ing first one well shod foot and then
the other, and looking ruefully at the
little velvet boots OF the lady.
Suppose o sit down"-he looked
about for a seat. but the dewy grass
was the only resting place visible. He
pitched upon the suitcases and i'm
provised n chair. Now, sit down and
let me tai them of for you."
He knelt in the road at her feet as
she obeyed, protesting that she could
do II for herself. But he overruled her,
M began clumsily to unbutton the
tiny buttons. holding the timid little
foot firmly. almost reverently, against
his knee. T.. ~. a
He drew the velvet shoe softly. of.
and, turning 1t upside down, shook put
the ~intruding cinders, put a clumsy
finger in to make sure they were all
gone; then shyly, tenderly, passed his
hand over the sole of the fine, silk
stockinged foot that rested 80 lightly
on his knee, to make sure no. cinders
chung to II. The sight and touch of
that little DOT stirred him deeply. He
had never before been called upon to
1 rapdar carutra co Intimate IN onxy ~