The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1917-04-12
CHAPTER XIV-Continued.


There was no lack of fodder fol
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 Il yard lantern
carrying the which the girl had ac-
companied him on his two final trips.
Here" he said clumsily, when all
wasready, 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
kneeling 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 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 wns afraid |
and ashamed.
The girl retreatcd to his side, re-
turning the matches.
A tongue of flame shot up from
the peak Of the pyre. and q column of |
smoke surpassed 1t, 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 respectful
distance from it, where they could
watch the letting blades of light that
Tinged the far-off headland. Whitaker
reclined on an elbow. relapsing into
moody contemplation. The girl stirred
uneasily. turning her head to look Mt
Whitaker.
You know" she said with con-
fused attempt TO laugh: this is really
so canny, this pacI.. Or else I'm
balmy. I'm seeing things-shapes that
stir against the blackneSs, off there be-
yond the light, moving, hating, 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
Il little"
II 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-
sble for this all-of- a-sudden change
of hearth"
"That's what's responsible" The
words spoke themselves almost against J
his will. 6
you're very obscure. Am to I'M +
lerstand that you've taken a sudden {
dislike to me, so that you can't treat =
ne with decent civility?"
1--WE always understood women
Knew what men meant before the men 81
lid. themselves" His voice broke q II
little. "Oh, can't you sec how it is f
With me? Can't you see?" he cried. s
God forgive me! l never meant to Ii
ntlict this on you, at such a time
don't know why l have :" n
You mean" she siammercd in a
dice of amaze-"you mean-love?"
Can you doubt it?' n
mo not after what's hap
ened, presume. You wouldn't have
wouldn't have fought so
} save me from drOwning-I suppose to
if you hadn't-cared. But 1 pI
idn't know" or
Then you're not-Offended?" he of
sked, sitting up. fir
why should / be?" The freight mn
outlined the smiling half
lstful countenance she turned to him. he
What woman would be who received hi
great and honorable a compliment
from you. Hugh? Oniy"-again the
little laugh that merged into ere
smOthered sigh-"I wish | knew" vo
wish you knew what?" ne:
Whats going on inside that extra out
binary head Of yours; what's in the asl
nd behind the eyes that ! so often .
d staring at me so curiOusly"
He bowed that head between hands To
ut compressed cruelty his temples. bee
wish ] knewl" he groaned In pro- con
.. Since you called me 60 supper. my
while ago. by name-I don't know is