Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-05-14

>">s 'S'h 'iS ie'tI', unu ny the time
Suzanne had rcgained the crest only
Cameron and Dwight remained.
Dwight had never attempted 1t be-
fore, being satisfied with the lesser
jumps near the lodge. And Sue could
not recall having seen Cameron take
IL either. AS She approached Cameron
stood on the brink us II irresolute
gazing down into the darkness below.
suddenly he turned, stopped down to
unstrap the skis, and remarked quiet
~. II guess I'll not take il after ALL"
Suzanne stared at him in unbelief.
Cameron Stuart Il coward! She hard
~ noticed that Dwight also was taking
OH his skis. She was merely thankful
that the rest OF the crowd, plodiing
SLOWLY Up the slope. had not witnessed
Cameron'S act. Cameron Stuart" she
said with cutting emphasis, never
never ask mo to marry you again."
Her head high, she moved away. And
Cameron little knew the pain in her
heart-0nly the great emptiness in his.
Some nights later Cameron sat gaz-
Ing soherly into the smolderiny depths
OF the huge fireplace in the heavy
beamed living room of the Lodge. The
crowdihnd gone sleighiilg. hut he had
chosen to stay here alone. What use.
hc unused bitterly, to tnntalizc himself
watching Sue ilirt with first one and
then another of the men in the party,
TO catch ElimpSeS of her profile us she
talked to some man beside her, sending
What messages he knew not with her
starry eyes. No, he did not care to 20.
What was more, he would leave the
Lodge tomorrow Sue thought he was
a coward. Since the day when he had
not takeh the Jump she had avoided
any chance encounter with him.
Some one opened the door Cameron
looked quickly up. There stood the
girl who had been In his thoughts, Il
with 4 furry tcQuc pcrched Jauntily
asEew Oh her tuwny hair "Oi.." she
said slowly, tauntingly. "Ilome--
where it is Safe!'
Cameron sprang to his feet.
"Suzanne!" he Numbered, don't dare
use those words to me, or that tone.
You come with me-" The girl, stunned,
stood still. In MI her life none had
ever spoken TO her like that. Cameron,
snatching up mackinaw and cap from
n settle, grasped her arm and led her
unrcsisting TO the door. Taking down
his skis from the rack in the outer
hall, still without q word, Cameron
strobe rapidly over the snow, Suzanne
following meekly, like one hypnOtiZed.
Arrived ut the spot where Cameron
had shown the white feather, accord
ing TO Sue, the man buckled on the
Skis, took the start, and leaped Off.
Presently he was back. Again he
jumped. Suzanne, ready to take back
all she had ever said, was silenced by
the look OH his face when he returned.
Again he leaped. This time he did not
come back so quickly-in fact, he did
not come back at all. Sue waited
waited-then, fearing she knew not
what, ran quickly down the slope, in
and out through the trees. What was
that dark object on the snow-pros-
trnte? Not Cameron!
= But it was Cameron-Cameron with
one foot badly twisted. Its nothing"
he managed to say, and tried to stand,
then crumpled up. Suzanne knew it
was no time to protest her sorrow and
repentance. Like the very deer that
she had often startled In the forest.
the girl sped back to the Lodge for
help.
4 week later Cameron, limping
slightly. walked on the sunny south
veranda Of the Lodge. Beside him was
Suzanne. Suddenly she halted him,
soft hand laid gently on his arm.
Cameron" she said, don't you like
me?"
Cameron shut his lips. Then. Every
one does that. Sue" he said casually.
Even rs ne had resolved 10 marry no
one who thought him coward. no less
would lie have anything to do with
this girl. moved temporarily by pity
and q feeling that she was rather re-
sponSible for the accident.
Sues most daredevil mood took
possession of her. Cameron" she said,
"if have ever wanted anything. 1
have gone out and got It, And what
Is more important In life than the
man you want to marry? And I want
to marry you" Cameron looked mt
her amazed. No, there was no doubt
ing that expression of almost desper-
ate sincerity. Then she covered her
face with her hands. "Forget what l
just said." she murmured brokenly.
1T was unwomanly. But / thought
Il thought you really cared"
"My darling girl" Camcron's tender
voice left no doubt rs to whether he
really cared. MY darling grill"
Presently Cameron told her why he
had Refused TO take the jump. "At the
time I was so hurt by your readiness