The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1917-02-23
CHAPTER XiV-ContinUed.

There was no lack of fodder for
the flames. BY dint OF several wheel
barrow trips between the knoll and the
farmyard, he had presently construc-
ted a pyre of impressive proportions; :;
and by that time it was quite dark
so dark, indeed, that he had been
forced to hunt up a yard lantern,
carrying the which the girl had ac-
companied him on his two final trips.
Here" he said clumsily, when all
was ready, offering her matches. "You
light it, please-for luck"
Their fingers touched as she took
the matches. Something thumped in
his breast, and door opened in the
chambers of his understanding, letting
in light.
Kneeling at the base of the pyre,
she struck a match and applied it to
quantity of tinder-dry excelsior.
The stuff caught instantly, putting into
a brilliant patch of blaze; she rose
and stood back, en- silhouette, delicate
ly poised at attention, waiting to see
that her work was well done. He
could not take his gaze from her.
So what he had trifed and toyed
with, fought with and prayed against,
doubted and questioned, laughed at
and cried down, was sober, painful
fact Truth, heart-rending to behold
in her stark, shining beauty, had been
revealed to him in that moment Of
brushing finger-tips, and he had looked
in her face and known his unworthi-
ness; and he trembled and was afraid
and ashamed. =.
The girl retreated to his side, re-
turning the matches.
A tongue of flame shot up from
the peak of the pyre, and column of
smoke surpassed it, swinging off to
leeward in great, red-bosomed volutes
and whorls picked out with flying regi-
ments of sparks.
They seated themselves with their
backs to the fire and at a respectful
distance from it. where they could
watch the jetting blades of light that
ringed the far-off headland. Whitaker
reclined on an elbow, relapsing into
moody contemplation. The girl stirred
uneasily, turning her head to look at
Whitaker.
"You know" she said with a con-
fused attempt to laugh: "this is really
so canny, this place. Or else I'm
balmy. I'm seeing things-shapes that
stir against the bIackness, off there be-
yond the light, moving, halting, star
ing, hating us for butchering their age
old peace and quiet. Maybe I'll for
get to see them, if you'll talk to me
little'
ST can't talk to you," he said, un-
gracious in his distress.
"You can't? It's the first time it's
been noticeable, then. What's respon-
sible for this all-of-a-sudden change
of heart?"
'aThat's what's responsible" The
words spoke themselves almost against
his will.
you're very obscure. Am I to un-
derstand that you've taken q sudden
dislike to me, so that you can't treat
me with decent civility?"
"rve always understood women
knew what men meant before the men
uIu, Lis WIZ bLOAC q
little. "Oh, can't you see how it is
with me? Can't you see?" he cried.
"God forgive mel l never meant to
infiict this on you, at such a time |!
I don't know why I have :"
"You mean," she stammered in O
voice of amaze-"you mean-love"
''Can you doubt itf"
-Ia4
pened, I presume. You wouldn't have
followed-you wouldn't have fought so
to save me from drowning-I suppose
If you hadn't-cared. But
didn't know"
'Then you're not-offended?" he
asked, sitting up.
"Why should 1 be?" The freight
momentarily outlined the smiling half
wistful countenance she turned to him.
what woman would be who received
as great and honorable compliment
from you, Hugh? Only''-again the
whimsical little laugh that merged into
a smothered sight wish l knew!"
''Wish you knew what?"
whats going On inside that extra
ordinary head of yours; what's IN the
mind behind the eyes that I so often
find staring at me so curiouSly."
He bowed that head between hands
that compressed cruelty his temples.
"I wish L knew he groaned in pro-
test. "Since you called me to supper,
n while ago, by name-I don't know
wny-your voice, as you used it then,
has run through my head and through,
teasing my memory like a strain Of
music from some half-remembered
song. It haIf-maddens me; l feel so
strongly that everything would be so
straight and plain and clear between
US. if | could only fasten upon that
fugitive, indeinable something that's
always fluttering just beyond my
graspw
You mean all that-honestly? she
demanded in an oddly startled voice.
"Most honestly" He looked up in
excitement. You don't mean you've
felt anything of the sort?"
mo, I"-her voice broke as if with
wesriness-"I don't mean that, pre-
cisely, mean Probably I don't
know what 1 do mean. I'm really
very tired, too tired TO go on, just
now-to sit here with you, badgering
our poor wits with esoteric subtleties.
I think-do you mind?-rd better go
in"
She rose quickly, without waiting for
bir hand. Whitaker Strengthened out
his long body with more deIlberQtion,
standing finally at full height, his