Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1917-03-02
CHAPTER xvI.-continued.

and thinking. Don't fret about me.
When I feel able, 1 will come down
to you"
"As you will" he assented, unspeak-
ably relieved; and returned to the
kitchen.
Sunset interrupted his thoughts
sunset and his wife. Sounds of
someone moving quietly round the
kitchen, a soft clash of dishes, the
rafting Of the CRATE, drew him back
to the door.
she showed him a face of calm re-
straint and implacable resolve.
"Hugh"-her voice had found new,
sweet level Of gentleness and strength
-"I just wanted to tell you how sorry
I am I've let you go without your
lunch"
Wei" he admitted with a short
laugh. I'm fauished!"
She paused. regarding him with her
whimsical, indulgent smile You
strange creatufe" she said softly
Are you angry with me-impatient-
for this too facile descent from heroics
to the commonplace? BE patient with
me dear."
But, alarmed by his expression, her
words stumbled and Tan out. She
stepped back q pace, a little flushed
and tremulous.
Hugh No Hugh, moi"
Don't be afraid of me-" he said,
turning away. II don't mean to bother.
Only--at times"
Il know, dear; but it must not be-"
"Shall you make a fire again to-
nightY she asked when they had con-
cluded the meal
'In three places he said. wen
net stay another day for want of let
ting people know we're here. I'll go
new. When YOU are ready-|
Il shan't be Long" she said.
When it was quite dark, Whitaker
brought lantern to the door and
called her. and they went forth to-
gethel.
AS he had promised, he had built
up three towering pyres, widely apart.
When all three were in fun roaring
flame. their illumination was hot and
glowing over all the upland. 1t
seemed impossible that the world
should not now become cognizant of
their distress.
AT some distance to the north of
the greatest fire-that nearest the
fafm-house-they sat as on the previ-
Gus night, looking out over the black
end unresponsiye waters, communing
fpwnfbpf In r1pdnrAppac
IN thai hour they learned much of
one mnt6er; much that had seemed
strange uud questionable assumed, in
the understanding OF each, the com
Fiction of TIE normal and right. Whit
eker spoke at length and in much de-
tail Of his Wilfuj Missing years with
out seeking to excuse the wrong-mind-
ca reasoning when had won him bis
own consent to live under the mask
Of DEATH He told Of the motives that
had prompted his return, of all that
had happened since in which she had
had no part-with a single reserva-
ton. One thing he kept back; the
time for that was not yet.
A listener In his turn, he heard the
history OF the little girl OF the Com
mercial House breaking her heart
against the hardness of life in what
at first seemed utterly futile endeavor
10 live by her own efforts, asking
nothing more Of the man who had
given her his name.
He learned of the coming of Max,
his interest in her, the indefatigable
pains he had expended coaching her
TO bring out the latent ability his own
genius OWNED; of the initial perform
ance of Joan Thursday before a
Ineager and indifferent audience, her
instant triumph and subsequent con-
quest of the country in half dozen
widely dissimilar roles; finally of her
decision to leave the stage when she
married, for reasons comprehensive,
demanding neither exposition nor de-
fence.
1T doesn't matter any longer" she
commented. concluding: II loved and
hated it. 1t was deadly and it was
glorious. But it no longer matters.
1t Is finished; Sara Law is no more"
you mean never to go back to the
stage?"
Never"
And yet" he unused craftily.
Never" She fell blindIy into his
trap. II promised myself long ago
that If ever I became wife"
But you are no wife" he countered.
Dear, you are cruel to mer'
Il think it's you who would be
cruel to yourself dear heart"
Il think" she announced, we'd bet
ter so In
She rose without assistance, moved
away toward the house, paused and
returned.
Hugh she said gently. with 8
quaver in r., voice that wounded his
conceit in himself: for be was sur,