The Dermott news., 1917-07-12
auE DERMOii r
HonorsNEa

They went oa rcped. I,ec~ton s,a, first.
 t eteafed ta Oakley at one tim 1 that ms companion was sel<rd hs q sort of tuild eou,t:iSisn. IT wug uS II hc wish Il to sneeze. yet could not. He had several such attacks
 "snsthing the matter. Sam7" oaksg asked.
 The other checked himself and loot. ed round with smile.
 Nothing. old man-simply nothing To tell you the truth, l was laugh ing"
 What aho oitT
 "Ah. that's where you're driving at q dead wall can't tell you. Dick. It's impossible. The air in these high zones. you know. does strange things with fellow. T. makes some men sick. You're not feeling anything of 1t, hope?'
 Oakey's face showed surprise. tinged with just little sl,eptieism. A boy, Rccston had had mysterious sides. As u man. oaLsy had long learned that there were certain bar riers about his character which h. could never get beyond. They were picturesque barriers Oakley had often wished he could hedge himself in with walls of like quality. They them selves alone commanded respect. There was no defining them. yet there they were.
 But this familiar use of his uume also warmed Oakley like q sudden breath of fire.
 ''Were you laughing, SamT" he asked.
 Certainly. Why notf'
 "Oh, nothlngl Only could envy you. I haven't had good honest laugh since-since-wcll. you can guess. can't youi"
 All the smile left Reeston's lips and eyes as he gazed at his friend.
 Poor chap" he murmured. "But never mind. One can't properly do two things at the same time. I'm not go- ing to guess Let's make another mile, then we'll refresh. l wish your fa- ther was with us.'
 "Wish the bishop was here. Sam whyf"
 "To give us his blessing. old man ahsolutiou first and blessing to crown the feast, like chartreuse. Come along t'
 Much agitated. Oakley followed again. Of course. Reeston was only sareas- tie: 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 find some fault with Ruby herself Whnt 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 woolng. Though they had been brought up together from chQdhood. Oakley was not prepared to be wei comed with such ease as n substitute for lover like Reeston.
 He shivered little as deadly thought protruded itself.
 If Ruby was of nature to absorb calumny so readily might not another cnlumny 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 1 and sank n foot or so.
 Quick After me-" 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 moment. Oakley made wild at- | tempt to follow. jumped short and slipped with the snow itself into black abyss. And there he hung.
 He fell little lower, then n little | lower still Pm going!" he groaned.
 IL seemed long time ere Reeston | gave him word of encouragement. | and then 1t came but faintly.
 Don't wrlggle, old chap" Reeston The grips none too good | up here. I'm right on the edge my