The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1917-03-09

tone. He looked up quickly. Hugh,
what are you thinking off,"
"Oh-nething. But I've got to think
of something"
She came nearer, intuitively alarmed
and pleading. Hugh, you wouldn't
leave me here alone?"
Don't be afraid he said evasively.
"I'n be here-as always-when you
wake up"
She disappeared; the light of her
lamp faded, Pickering in the draught
of the hall, stencilled the wall with
it's evanescent caricature of the bal
ustrade, and was no longer visible.
"Hugh!' her voice rang from the
upper floor.
He started violently out of deep alb
straction, and replied inquiringly.
"You won't forget to lock the door?"
He swore violently beneath his
breath; controlled his temper and re-
sponded pleasantly: Certainly not"
Then he shut the outside door with
convincing bang.
IF this be marriage ]! he
smiled his twisted smile.
Leaving the kitchen light turned
low, he went to his own room and,
as on the previous night, threw him
but this time with no thought of sleep.
Indeed, he had no expectation of clos
ing his eyes in slumber before the
next night, at the earliest; he had
no intention other than to attempt to
swim to the nearest land.
An hour dragged out its weary
length, and the half of another. He
rose, with infinite precaution against
making any noise.
Slowly, on tiptoes, Whitaker stole
toward the door, out into the hall, took
a single step on toward the kitchen;
and then, piercing suddenly the abso-
lutte stiffness within the house, a
board squealed like an animal be-
meath his tread.
In an instant he heard the thud
and patter of her footsteps above,
her loud, quickened breathing as she
leaned over the balustrade, looking
down. and her cry of dismay: Hugh!
Hugh"
He halted, saying in an even voice:
Eyes, it is l." She had always seen
away without her knowledge now; be-
sides, he was no sneak-thief to fly from
cry. He burned with resentment,
Impotence and indignation, but he
waited stolidly enough while the
woman flew down the stairs to his
side.
Hugh" she demanded, white-faced
and trembling, "what is the matter?
Where are you going"
He moved his shoulders uneasily,
forcing a short laugh. 81 daresay
you've guessed it. Undoubtedly you
have. Else why" He didn't finish
save by a gesture of resignation.
"You mean you were going-going
to try to swim to the mainland?"
81 meant to try it," he confessed.
IT should have known" she de-
clared passionately. 81 was asleep, but
hue" Tue -HStthL you SlI1icu.
'It must be DONE" he muttered.
'Please-"
But it must not be done! Hugh"
Her voice assembled. CT can't let
you. I won't let you! You j.. . It'll
be your death-you'll drown. 1 shall
have let you go to your death"
ooh, now, really" he protested.
But, Hugh, I know it! I feel it
here" A hand strayed to rest f1ut-
tering, above her heart. eff I should
don't, don't go!"
Mary" he began hoarsely, II tell
you"
you're only going, Hugh, because :.
because I love you so I I am
afraid to let you love me . That's true,
isn't it? Hugh-it's true?"
He mumbled an almost inaudible
avowal of his intention.
"Hugh, you're killing me! If you
love me"
He gave a gesture of despair and
capitulation.
i've QOne my pest, mary. L meant
to do the right thing. I"
Hugh, you mean you won't go?"
Joy from surcharged heart rang vi
brant in every syllable uttered in that
marvellous voice.
But now he dared meet her eyes.
"Yes," he said 81 won't go" nodding,
with an apologize shadow of his
twisted smile. 81 can't if it
distresses you"
"Oh, my dear, my dear!"
Whitaker started, staggered with
amaze, and the burden of his wife in
his arms Her own arms clipped him
close. Her fragrant, tear-gemmed
face brushed his. He knew at last the
warmth of her sweet mouth, the dear
madness of that first caress.
Then through the magical hush of
that time when the world stood still,
the thin, clear vibrations of q distant
hail:
"Aho-oy.'
In his embrace his wife stiffened
and lifted her head to listen like
startled fawn.
Listen" He held up his hand
This time it rang out more near and
most unmistakable:
"Ahoy! The house, ahoy!"
With the frenzied leap of a mailman,
Whitaker flung out into the dim, sill
very witchery of the night. He stood
staring, while the girl stole to his
side and caught his arm. He passed
it round her, lifted the other hand,
dumbIy pointed toward the northern
beach. For the moment he could not
trust himself to speak.
In the sweep of the anchorage
small, white yacht lowered ghostIike.
On the beach itself q small boat