The Glenwood post., 1917-06-30
H0n0rs Easy

They went on roped, Reeston still
first.
1t seemed to Oakley at one time
that his companion was seized by q
sort of mild convulsion. 1t was as if
he wished to sneeze, yet could not.
He had several such attacks.
Anything the matter, Sam?" Oakley
asked.
The other checked himself and look
ed round with a smile.
"Nothing, old man-simply nothing.
To tell you the truth, I was laugh
ing"
"What abcut?'
"Ah, that's where you're driving at
dead wall! I can't tell you, Dick.
It's impossible. The air in these high
zones, you know, does strange things
with a fellow. It makes some men
sick. You're not feeling anything of
it, hono?"
OaI-nya face showed surprise,
ting 'l igSt little slsepticsm. AS
q boy Recston had had mysterious
side As a man. Oakley had long
lear 'ut tbege We're certain bar
riers DDouf his character which he
coulf .r-r Get beyond. They We're
pictu Ne barriers. Oakley had often
wish lr could hedge himself in with
wall 0i like quality. They them
selve Dnne commanded respect. There
was Do defining them, yet there they
were
Blu this familiar use of his name
also warmed Oakley like sudden
brea'l uf fire.
"N .1n You laughing, Sam ~ he asked.
"ClHHInly. Why not?'
col nothing! Only I could envy
you. haven't had a good honest
laugl lcc-since-wen, you can
guess, ant you?',
All the smile left Reeston's lips and
eyes as lr gaZed at his friend.
"Pour chap" he murmured. But
never mind. One can't properly do two
thing ar the same time. I'm not 60
ing t. guess. Let's make another mile,
then we'll refresh. I wish your fa-
ther WIS with US"
"Wish the bishop was here, Sam !
Why"
''To give us his blessing, old man
absolution first and blessing to crown
the feast, like chartreuse. Come
along"
Much agitated, Oakley followed again.
OF course, Reeston was only sarcas-
tic; but what weird coincidence that
he should thus, even at hazard, seem
to divine what was in his mind! How
enviably strong and self-restrained he
was!
In this moment of almost chivalrous
admiration Of the man he had
wronged SO brutally, he could even
fnd some fault with Ruby herself.
What was she made Of that with such
comparative ease she could be per-
suaded to resign Reeston for man
like him? Just one week Of moderate
anguish, and then she was ripe for his
wooing. Though they had been
brought up together from childhood,
Oakley was not prepared to be well
coined with such ease as substitute
for lover like Reeston.
He shivered a little as deadly
thought protruded itself.
If Ruby was of nature to absorb
calumny so readily might not another
calumny wreck the married happiness
which he dared to hope for?
Was this the Nemesis that lay in
wait for him, one year, two, three, or
ten years hence?
What an awful thought!
His feet were fast in this dreadful
vision when suddenly Reeston shouted
and sank foot or SO.
Quick! After mev' he cried, and
the rope drew out as he leaped.
He landed on firmer snow even as
that from which he sprang slid under
Oakey's boots. His nerves shattered
in a moment, Oakley made wild at
tempt to follow, jumped short, and
slipped with the snow itself into a
black abyss. And there he hung.
He fell little lower, then little
lower still. I'm going!" he groaned.
1t seemed long time ere Reeston
gave him a word of encouragement,
and then 1t came but family.
Don't wriggle, old chap" Reeston
whispered. 1.-THE grips none too good
up here. I'm right on the edge my