Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1917-02-16
CHAPTER xIv-continued.

there WIN no ldCh III AbNtAt'4 AOA
the flames. By dint Of several wheel
barrow trips between the knoll and the
farmyard, he had presently construc-
ted 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 a door opened in the
chambers of his understanding, letting
In light.
Kneellns at the base of the pyre,
she struck match and applied it TO
quantity of tinder-dry excelsior.
The stuff caught instantly, putting into
brilliant pc ,ch of blaze; she rose
and stood back. en- silhouette, delicate
~ poised at attention, waiting TO see
that her work was well done. He
could not take his gaze from her.
SO what he had trifled 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 fnger-tipS. and he had looked
in her face and known his unworthi-
ness and he trembled and was afraid
snd ashamed.
The girl retreated to his side, re-
turning the matches.
a tongue of flame shot up from
the peak of the pyre, and a column of
smoke surpassed it, swinging off to
leeward la great, red-bosOrned 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 1t. where they could
watch the letting blades of light that
rlnged the fav-off headand. Whitaker
reellned 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. Tn seeing things-shapes that
stir against the blackneSS, OF there be-
yond the light. moving, halting star
fng 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"
u can't talk TO you" he said, I'M
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 hearth"
That's what's responsible" The
words spoke themselves almost against
his will
You're very obscure. Am I to I'M
derstand that you've taken a sudden
dislike to me. so that you can't treat
me with decent civility?"
'Pve always understood women
knew what laen meant before the men
did, themselves" His voice broke q
little. "Oh. can't you see how It is
with me? Can't you see?" he cried.
God forgive me! never meant to
inact this on you. at such a time !!
l don't know why l have :"
You mean" she stammered in a
voice of amaze-"you mean-IoveY
Can you doubt it?"
mo not after what's hap
pened, presume. You wouldn't have
fotowed-you wouldn't have fought SO
TO save me from drowning-I suppose
If you hadu't--carcd. But 1
didn't know"
Then you're not-offendedT" he
asked, sitting up.
"Why should I be?' The freight
momentarily outlined the smiling half
wistful Counteusnce she turned to him.
What woman would be who received
as great and honorable 8 compliment
- Srom you. Hugh? Only"-again the
whimsical little laugh that merged into
d smothered sight wish l knew"
Wish you knew what?'
What's going on inside that extra
ordinary head OF yours; what's in the
mind behind the eyes that l SO often
find staring az me SO curiously."
lie bowed that head between hands
that compressed cruelty his temples.
Il wish l knew :" he groaued In pro
test. Since Won called me to supper,
while ago. by name-I don't know
Why-your voice, as YOU used Il then.
has run through my head aud through.
teasing my memory like q strain OF
music from some half-remembered
song. II half-maddenS me: feel so
strongly that everything would be SO
straight and plain and clear between
rs, il | could only fasten upon that
fugitive iudehnab something THAT'S
always GuTteriQE inst havond my