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

yOuTStll
81 suppose So" he grumbled, rising. |
81 presume it's childish to want the
moon-and sulk when you find you
can't have it,"
"Or a starr"
He made no reply; but his very
silence was eloquent. They entered
the kitchen.
"Something'l have to be done; If
they won't help us, Wen have to help
ourselves"
"Hugh p There was alarm in her
tone. He looked up quickly. "Hugh,
what are you thinking Off"
"Oh-nothing. But I've got to think
of something"
She came nearer, intuitively alarmed
and pleading. '.Hugh, you wouldn't
leave me here alone?"
Don't be afraid" he said evasively.
"Ill be here-as always-when you
wake up"
She disappeared; the light of her
lamp faded, Pickering in the draught
of the hall, stencilled the wall with
it's evanescent caricature of the bal
|
'HughI' her voice rang from the
upper floor.
He started violently out of deep alb
stractlon, and replied inquiringly.
"You won't forget to lock the door?"
He swore violently beneath his
breath; controlled his temper and re-
sponded pleasantly: Certainly not"
Then he shut the outside door with
a convincing bang.
"If this be marriage ~ He
smiled his twisted smile.
Leaving the kitchen light turned
low, he went to his own room and,
as on the previous night, threw him
self upon the bed without undressing;
but this time with no thought of sleep.
Indeed, he had no expectation of clos
ing his eyes in slumber before the
next night, at the earliest; he had
: no intention other than to attempt to
swim to the nearest land.
An hour dragged out its weary
length, and the half of another. He
rose, with infinite precaution against
making any noise.
Slowly, on tiptoes, Whitaker stole
toward the door, out into the hall, took
single step on toward the kitchen
and then, piercing suddenly the abso-
lutte stiffness within the house, a
board squealed like an animal be-
meath his tread.
In an instant he heard the thud
and patter of her footsteps above
her loud, quicke I'd breathing as she
, leaned over the balustrade, looking
down, and her cry of dismay: "Hugh
Hughl"
He halted, saying in an even voice
Eyes, it is l." She had always seer
him; there was no use trying to gel
away without her knowledge now; be
sides, he was no sneak-thief to fly from
a cry. He burned with resentment
: impotence and indignation, but he
: waited stolidly enough while the
= woman flew down the stairs to hi:
side.
Hugh" she demanded, white-face(
and trembling, ''what is the matter
. Where are you going?"
He moved his shoulders uneasily
: forcing a short laugh. 81 daresa.
: you've guessed 1t. Undoubtedly yo'
:. have. Else why" He didn't finisl
: save by gesture of resignation.
I "You mean you were going-goini
to try to swim to the mainlandT
81 meant to try it," he confessed.
o "I should have Known she de
p clared passionately. 81 was asleep, Blu
n I knew the instant you stirred"
+ at must be DONE" he muttered
a "Please-"
r "But it must not be donel Hugh |!
l. Her voice assembled. Il can't lie
n you. l won't let you'll You It'll
r be your death-yOuIl drown. shall
e have let you go to your death"
:, "Oh, now, really" he protested.
: "But, Hugh, I know It'll 1 feel
here" A hand strayed to rest, flut
e tering, above her heart. eff I shoul
d let you go Oh, my dear one
IS don't, don't gow
5. MARY" he began hoarsely, 81 tel
=" you"
lie you're only going, Hugh, because d.
because 1 love you so 1 al
afraid to let you love me That's true
isn't 1t? Hugh-its true?"
is He mumbled an almost inaudibl
90 avowal &c his intention.
''Hugh, you're killing mel If 70
d. love me-"
He gave a gesture of despair an
be Capitulation.
''Tve done my best, Mary. 1 near
It to do the right thing. I"
"Hugh, you mean you won't goi
ed JOY from a surcharged heart rang V
nd brant in every syllable uttered in this
marvellous voice.
a But now he dared meet her eye
lis "Yes," he said, 81 won't 60" noddin
re with an apologize shadow of h
ld twisted smile. Il can't if
KY distresses you"
ne "Oh, my dear. my dearV