Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1917-03-29

and south and east and west all safely
relegated to his backbone instead Of
having to depend upon the Eighty
functions Of his brain fer his guide it's
about the simplest thing there is. He
finds his way without thinking about
the lay of the land or moss on the
| trees or the sun or stars. But the 9th
er One-the one who has to stop and
reason that he must travel so many
miles to the west to reach home in
the afternoon because he came that
many in the morning-why, he even
gets to doubling his compass, until
night catches him without a roof over
his head and no wood collected for
campfire"
II shall try to remember that" she
answered soberly. eff ever l am lost
II shall try to wait confidently for
daylight and keep my eyes to the fore"
She was near to tears when he stoop-
ed and knelt in the snow to tighten a
thong slipping from one webbed foot,
Below them stretched a plain Of SHIN
mering frost points. bounded by in
scrutable walls of black timber. Some
where within the warmer heart Of a
swamp q fox yapped hungrily; some
where within her own heart his Whim-
steal discourse had awakened q sense
Of the mystery of his Widerness-its
friendship for those who love tits
implacable enmity for those who do
not understand. And he looked up just
when that emotion came flooding into
her face.
1T is wonderfully Onderful-Wo
dCrful" she breathed, throwing out
both arms with that ecstatic impulsive-
ness which he knew SO well. NOW I
know why you said men always re-
turn TO it once they have felt its spell"
you are lOvelier than you know"
came back from him, almost grufly
again. and she could not parry with
lightness so swift and strained a
speech.
You always tell me very pretty
things was all size could think of to
say iii reply.
But then, rising, he flung back his
head and shook himself as if throwing
off Il burden too restraining and irk-
some. He laughed aloud, and from
that minute until be loosed her feet
from the snOWshOes he was more like
her blue flannel and CORDUROY lover
again. But his attack no longer made
! her fear herself
IF | cared for you, yes he made
| her admit before he would let her go
in that night. IF | cared for you my
| engagement to no man could stand in
the way. But that is the reason
| know | do not care"
She had seen him grave with doubt
that night; seen him fight to shake it
off There YVES doubt in his answer
now.
because | am not But he could
not force himself to ask it.
"Because | could never care as you
would demand the woman should care
who marries you"
She wanted to help him q little, she
didn't know Just why. Pity is a very
dangerous emotion when pity is not
sought
You are loving me that way this
minute" lie said, but his words We're
logged. Loving me more than you
| know"
There was neither reference to her
/ letter nor mention OF that night at
Thirty Mile when she had stolen out to
bid him goodby. Other long tramps
followed on other pale and zero nights.
but his attitude remained much the
same
you will be coming back" he told
her again the day he put her Oh the
train. You will be back in the
spring."
1t was hie old, hopeful challenge
with all the hope left out.
Il think So" she faltered in return.
Il mean to come and see the compile
ton of your work if father viii let
me-" She knew a moment OF confu-
sion. Il wonder many nights if YOU
are safe up here in the hills
Indeed. Miss Sarah had made prog
reSs, though the surface indications
were small The girl would never
think Of him again simply in terms of
blue flannel and corduroy. But that
was not the most disturbingly vivid
| memory which she carried away with
her
II love you" He framed the words
silently as the train was pulling out,
and, although their positions were Ne
versed. the moment was so reminis-
cent of that day when he had leaned
out Of her fathers switch engine cab
and asked if she wanted ride that it
made her throat ache.
She waved a small gloved hand to
him on the platform.
She did not want to go.