Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1917-03-08

happens one who keeps On trying only
because there is one other person at
least who may be the gladder for his
success. l don't expect you to under
stand. I know it will sound small and
coWardly to you. It's too lonesome liv-
ing, Steve, when there's no one who
cares whether you live or nOtv'
"That does not fit your case" Steve
objected instantly, when your danger
or your safety keeps a woman watch
ing white faced with terror through
the night for your return"
Garry propped himself upon one ell
bow, the better to see the speakers
countenance.
"My safety?' he repeated blankly.
''My return?" And then, Wanly CRATE
full, "You are not the sort Of man who
lies conyincingly, Steve
And then Stephen ONIara let him
have it-all the story which had lain
so many days in his heart. There were
times when Garry went even paler
during the short recital, times when
everything else was submerged by the
incredulity that flooded his face. But
before Steve had finished the last trace
Of doubt was gone. Before the end
came Garry had bowed his head, this
time in flushed, self conscious wonder
which TRANSPORTED him.
miriam Burrellr' he breathed.
Proud, intolerant'-
His head came up. The next in
slant he voiced the words which Steve
most wanted to hear.
"You shouldn't have told me this"
said be- "You had no right, unless
Steve laughed at him.
"God bless you, boy" he exclaimed.
II asked her if 1 might. Why, don't
you understand that she meant to her
self if | didn't? You see, she is-far,
far Drawer than you are, Garry"
Garry lifted his hands and hid his
face.
SO quietly that his exit made no
sound Steve slipped to his feet and
passed outside. 1t had stopped rain
ing The hardwood ridges, touched
by frost, were flaming streaks Of col
or against the rainwaShed eyergreenS
when he picked his way down to the
river and found dry stone for q seat,
An hour and more he sat there while
his thoughts went back over the trail
of the years, the trail which had led
him from that cabin to a pair of VIC
let eyes and lips that arched like a
boys.
Steve let his mind turn again unre-
servedly to his own problem that morn
ing. He tried to face sure eyed the
road which still stretched ahead. He
did not know that Garrett Devereau,
the debonaire, the cynical, the world
weary and world wise, had broken
down and was sObbing nOiselessly, as
men sob, in the room which he had
left, shaking with deep and terrible
gasps that racked his very soul. But
it was already daybreak; it was trails
end now for Garry. 1t does, make q
difference if one knows that some one
cares
Upon their return to Thirty Mile two
nights later Joe's attitude Of criticism
was the first thing which piqued
Steve's interest. There was something
ludicrous in the formers voice as be
sat and mathematical the food which
the cook boy brought to the table, even
though he deyoured hungrily all that
his plate would hold. And because
Joe was SO obviously primed for SEN
satien that evening out of sheer per
versity Steve struggled to draw him
into discussion of topic which, just
as obviously. had no appeal just then.
What l hope to do he confided
gravely to Garry. IS to finish up at
Morrison and make possible the trans
fer Of some Of those men up here. We
are working only one shift now. WITH