Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1918-07-09
CHAPTER xvI.-contlnued.


ably relieved; and returned to the
kitchen.
Sunset interrupted his thoughts
sunset and his wife. Sounds of
someone moving quietly round the
kitchen, 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
II Just wanted to tell you how sorry
/ am. I've let you go without your
lunch"
SWELL" he admitted with a short
laugh, I'm furnished !"
She paused, regarding him with her
whimsical, indulgent smile. you
strange creature" 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 ran out. She
stepped back pace, little flushed
and tremulous.
"Hugh No, Hugh, mol"
Don't be afraid of me-" he said,
turning away. IL 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. "Well
NOT stay another day for want of let
ting people know we're here. I'll go
cow. When you are ready-T
II shan't be long" she said.
When it was quite dark, Whitaker
brought a lantern to the door and
called her, and they went forth to-
Eether.
AS he had promised, he had built
up three towering pyres, widely apart
When all three were in full roaring
fame, their illumination was hot and
glowing over all the upland. II
seemed impossible that the world
should not now become cognizant OF
their distress.
Al some distance to the north OF
the greatest fire-that nearest the
arn-house-they sat as on the previ'
GUS night, looking out over the black
and unresponsive waters, communine
together in undertones.
In that hour they learned much OF
one another; much that had seemed
strange and questionable assumed, II
the understanding of each, the com
pletion of the normal and right. Whit
Rker spoke at length and in much de
tail of his Willful Missing years with
out seeking to excuse the wrong-mind
ed reasoning which had won him hi:
own consent to live under the mash
of death. He told of the motives tina
had prompted his return, of all tina
had happened since in which she haC
had no part-with a single reserva
ton. One thing he kept back; thu
time for that was not yet.
A listener in his turn, he heard thu
history of the little girl of the Com
mercial House breaking her hear
against the hardness of life in wha
at first seemed utterly futile endeavo
to live by her own efforts, asking
nothing more of the man who hat
given her his name.
He learned of the coming of Max
his interest in her, the indefatigabl
pains he had expended coaching he
10 bring out the latent ability his owl
genius OWNED; of the initial perform
ance of Joan Thursday" before
meager and Indifferent audience, he
instant triumph and subsequent cor
quest of the country in half a doze
widely dissimilar roles; finally of he
decision to leave the stage when sh
married, for reasons comprehensive
demanding neither exposition nor dc
fence.
1T doesn't matter any longer" sh
commented, concluding: 81 loved an
/ hated it. 1t was deadly and it wa
glorious. But it no longer matter
1t is finished; Sara Law is no more
"You mean never to go back to IL
stageT
Never"
"And yet" he unused craftily.
"Never" She fell blindly into h
trap. II promised myself long az
that If ever became wife"
But you are no wife," he countere
"Dear, you are cruel to me"
II think it's you who would
cruel to yourself, dear heart"
Il think" she announced, wed be
ter go in"
She rose without assistance, NOV
away toward the house, paused al
returned.
"Hugh," she said gently, with
quaver in her voice that wounded b
conceit In himself; for he was su
1T spelled laughter at his expense al
well-merited-"Hug you big sull
boyl get up this instant and cor