Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-01-12
CHATTER xiv-contInuea.

CHAPTER xiV--continued
IL
There was no lack of fodder for
the flames. BY dint Of several wheel
barrow trips between the knoll and the
farmyard, he had presently construc-
ted a pyre Of impressive proportions; /;
and by that time Il was quite dark
so dark. indeed, that he had been
forced to hunt up yard lantern,
carrying the which the girl had ac-
eompanied him on his two final trips.
Here" he said clumsily. when all
was ready, offering her matches. you
light II, 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 a match and applied 1t to
quantity OF tinder-dry excelsior.
The STUFF caught instantly. putting into
a brilliant patch 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 trified 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 was afraid
and ashamed.
The girl retreated to his side, re-
turning the matches.
A tongue of flame shot up from
the peak of the pyre, and column Of
smoke surpassed It, swinging of 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 q respectful
distance from It. where they could
watch the letting blades of light that
ringed the far-off headlnnd. Whitaker
reclined on an elbow. relapslng into
moody contemplation. The girl stirred
nnensily, turning her head to look at
Whitaker. fr
''You know" she said with con-
fused attempt to laugh "thls is really
so canny, this place. Or else I'm
balmy. I'm seeing things-shapes that
stir against the blackness, Off there be-
yond the light, moving. halting. star-
ing. hating us for butchering their age
Did peace and quiet. Maybe I'll for
get to see them, II you'll talk to me
q little"
"I can't talk to you" he said, un-
gracious IN his distress.
"You can't7 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 whnt's responsible" The
words spoke themselves almost against
his will.
you're very obscure. Am I to un-
derstnnd that you've taken sudden
dislike to me, so that you emit treat
me with decent civilityr
I've always understood women
knew what men meant before the men
aid. themselves HIS voice broke q
little. 'Oh. can't you see how II Il
with met Can't you seer he cried
God forgive me I never meant &c
lnnict this on you. at such time
{ don't know why i have !"
you mean" she stammered In q
voice Of amaze-"you mcan--love7"
Can You doubt III"
mo not after what's hap
pened, ] presume. You wouldn't hav,
followed-you wouldn't have fought Sc
to save me from drowning--I suppose
If you hadn't--cnred. But
didn't know"
"Then you're not-offendedY' h'
asked, sitting up.
why should ] beY The fireligh
momentarily outlined the smiling hal
wistfui countenance she turned to him
What woman would be who receives
as great and honorable q complimen
from you, Hugh7 Only'-agaln tn
whimsical little laugh that merged Int
a smothered sigh-'T wish knew r.
wish you knew what?"
What's going on inside that extra
ordinary head OF yonrs; what's In tn
mind behind the eyes tlIat so ofte
find staring AZ me 80, euriously."
He bowed that head between, hand
that compressed cruelty his temples
II wish knewl" he groaned in prt
test -Since you called me to suppe
T a while ago. by name-I don't kno'
why-your voice, as you used 1t thel
has run through my head and through
teasing my memory like strain {
music from some half-remembere
song. 1t haif-mnddens me; | feel (
strongly that everything would be 1
straight and plain and clear betwee
us, If l could only fnsten upon thi
fugitive, indefinable something that
always nuttering just beyond n
grnsplp
"You mean all that--honestly? 81
demanded in an oddly startled voice
'@Iost honestly" He looked up
excitement. "You don't mean YOU
felt anything Of the sortT
"No. T''-her voice broke as If wi
weariness-"I don't mean that, pr
cisely, | mean Probably dor
know what l do mean. I'm real
very tired, too tired to go on. ju
now-to sit here with you. bndgeril
our poor wits with esoteric subtletiC
think-do you mind?-Td better
In"
She rose quickly, without waiting (
hi7 hand. Whitaker Strengthened O
his long body with more deliberate
standing finally at full height,
grave and moody countenance strong
relieved in the ruddy glow, while
face was all In shadow.
"One moment" he begged humbly
before we go in. I've son
thing else to say to you. If may"
She waited, seriously attentive.
II haven't played fair, I'm afral
he said, lowering his head to esca
her steadfast gaze. "Pve just t
you that love you, but :"