Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1918-06-25
CHAPTER XIV-continued.

barrow trips between the knoll and the
farmyard, he had presently construc-
ted a pyre of impressive proportions;
and by that time it was quite dark
so dark, indeed, that he had been
carrying the which the girl had ac-
companied him on his two final trips.
Here" he said clumsily, when all
was ready. 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 1t to
quantity of tinder-dry excelsior.
The stuff caught instantly, putting into
u brilliant pa oh 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 trifled 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 a column of
smoke surpassed it, 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 a respectful
distance from it, where they could
watch the letting blades of light that
ringed the far-off headland. Whitaker
reclined on an elbow, relapsing into
moody contemplation. The girl stirred
uneasily, turning her head to look at
Whitaker.
"You know" she said with q con-
fused attempt to laugh: "this 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, 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
a little"
81 can't talk to you" he said. I'M
gracious in his distress.
"You can't? It's the first time IT.
been noticeable, then. What's respon
sible for this all-of-a-sudden chang,
of hearth"
"That's what's responsible" Tn,
words spoke themselves almost agains
his will.
you're very obscure. Am I to I'm
derstand that you've taken a suddeI
dislike to me, so that you can't trea
me with decent civility?"
1--WE always understood womei
knew what men meant before the mel
did, themselves" His voice broke 1
little. ooh, can't you see how It Il
with me? Can't you see?" he cried
"God forgive mel 1 never meant t.
infiict this on you, at such time
I don't know why / have :"
"You mcan," she stammered in 1
voice of amaze-"you mean-love"
"Can you doubt it'll"
mo not after what's hap
pened, I presume. You wouldn't hav'
followed-you wouldn't have fought s,
to save me from drowning-I suppose
If you hadn't-cared. But
didn't know"
"Then you're not-offended" h
asked, sitting up.
"Why should 1 ber The fireligh
momentarily outlined the smiling hal
wistful countenance she turned to him
"What woman would be who received
as great and honorable q compliment
from you, Hugh? Only"-again TIL
whimsical little laugh that merged int
smothered sight wish / knew !"
"Wish you knew whatf"
whats going on inside that extra
ordinary head of yours; what's In tn
mind behind the eyes that / so oftel
find staring at me so curiously."
He bowed that head between hand
that compressed cruelty his temples
II wish i knewl" he groaned in pre-
test. "Since you called me to supper
while ago, by name-I don't kno'
why-your voice, as you used ii ther
has run through my head and through
teasing my memory like strain c
music from some half-remembere
song. 1t half-maddens me; feel S
strongly that everything would be S
straight and plain and clear betwee
us, If could only fasten upon tha
fugitive, indefnable something that
always futtering just beyond m
graspT
you mean all that-honestlyT" sh
demanded in an oddly startled voice.
"Most honestly" He looked I'D /