Tombstone epitaph., 1916-01-09

his ardor nightly as two days os dreary isolation passed by. Ware tried fishing. but it did not fill the bill. The partridges were run ming and he got down his gun. There was little zest in the sport, however. He would start a covey and then list lessly neglect to take a shot before they were safe in covert.
 He would sit down on 9 fallen log, ostens,bly 10 rest, and rouse himself from a gloomy and distressing rev. erie over Leila-always and ever Leila,
 He had not estimated his nearness to the Lodge until he caught the sound of singing and the echo of man. dolins. He hurried from the spot with more vivid sorrowing memories than ever
 A form dashed of into the under brush just then from the direction Of the Lodge. Ware. scanning its flight. made out a 1.-the. graceful feminine figure. Then it had vanished. He hastened his steps, discerning in the speedy dash of the person he had seen some runaway frolic of a guest of the Lodge, and he did not wish to meet any of them.
 He slackened his gait as he got out of sight of the Lodge. He yawned wearily as he turned his face toward the camp. Another long. eventless day promised. A partridge whirred over his head and beyond. He thought of dinner and raised his fowlingpiece
 The bird was diving into a nest of scatheless, but as the small shot rattled among the bushes a shrill, piercing scream rang out.
 Great heavensi I have shot some body" cried Ware in consternation.
 He threw down his gun and dashed anxiously toward the brush. He part ed the bushes. There hiding her face with her hands, upon her knees and rocking to and fro in mortal terror, was the girl he had seen running from the Lodge-he recognized her dress at once.
 You are hurt-I fired. not knowing there was anyone near-Leila,"
 In stupefaction he scanned the face of the girl as her hands were with drawn. She turned deathly white. She uttered a strangely enigmatical sentence
 It is fate,"
 For the space of fully a minute those two. so singularly, so tragically met. stood staring. spellbound.
 "I was only frightened" faItered Leila tremulously. T was-was run ming away. and heard footsteps, and hid
 From whom-why?" inquired Ware in sheer mystification.
 My mother had traced me I hoped they would not think of my being with my cousins at the Lodge"
 "But-your husband?"
 q am not married" she whispered, her glance dropping. "I ran away from-from that man. whom I detest on my wedding day"
 Again, why?"
 She answered him with a furtfve iuOh- utE lace CTlmSOHiDS. HIS ntdTI gave a mighty bound, and he asked calmly, Shall l take you back to the Lodge"
 "To meet-him," she cried bitterly. Never. Oh. Rardal. Nr. Ware, get me away as quick as you can. Surely am my own mistress. Surely you will not put me back in that old captivity. when you know-when you know"
 Could he resist her? Could he mis- take the timid eyes that pleaded, yet were abashed?
 If i dared think he said. that I could offer you my protection, my love"
 T would defy the world," she cried
 They fastened like children, hand in hand, towards the village The clergyman they visited marveled at their trepidation. It passed away with both. as, erect. manly, feeling a king with the dearest woman to him in the world on his arm, Randall Ware left the quaint little parsonage with +;