The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-10

| tone. de looked up quickly. Hugh.
what are you thinking OFF,
"Oh-nothing. But I've got to think
| of something"
She came nearer intuitively alarmed
and pleading. Hugh. you wouldn't
| leave me here aIone?"
Don't be afraid" he said evasively.
"Pll 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
| its 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, ana 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
a convincing bang.
IF this be marriage .w 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
self upon the bed without undressing !;
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 hail. took
single step on toward the kitchen i;
and then, piercing suddenly the abso-
Lutte stiffness withD 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
him; there was no use trying to get
away without her knowledge now be-
sides, he was no sneak-thief to fly from
a cry. He burned with resentment,
Impotence and Indignation, but he
or hn
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. II 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?"
Il meant to try it." he confessed.
81 should have knOwn!" she de-
clared passionately. ST was asleep, but
I knew the instant you stirred"
at must be done" he muttered.
please"
"But 1T must not be done. Hugh 7"
Her voice assembled. Il can't let
you. I won't let you, You It'll
be your death-youll drown / shall
have let you go to your death"
"Oh, now, really" he protested.
"But, Hugh, I know it! / feel it
here" A hand strayed to rest, fiut-
tering. above her heart. ''If / should
let you go Oh. my dear one.
don't, don't gor'
"Mary," he began hoarsely, 81 tell
you"
You're only going, Hugh, because :.
because / love you so 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! IL you
love me"
He gave n gesture of despair and
Capitulatfon.
1--WE done my best, Mary. 1 meant
TO do the right thing. I"
luigi, SOu SOu "Ou 90!
Joy from q ,surcharged heart rang vi
brant in every syllable uttered in that
marvellous voice.
But now he dared meet her eyes.
Eyes" 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 u 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, ahoyi"
With the frenzied leap of mailman.
Whitaker flung out into the dim, sill
~, @s.~y,%