Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1920-12-17

sure III hungry. Ana let us not talk
during dinner; let's pretend nothing
has happened. Afterward. promise
"But 1t shall be as you wish--of
coursel"
u. THE IMPOSSIBLE.
She thought: never was there
meal more difficult, consumed under
stranger circumstances in an atmOs-
phere Of greater constraint, never had
two people broken bread together hav-
ing more to say to each other and
leaving more unsaid.
Opposite her, Mario barely tasted
the dishes set before him. The care
worn eyes in that dark, ascetic face
watched her constantly II covertly. II
she looked up from her plate, he dis
sembled studiously, his smile flashed
eagerly. She was none the less con-
scious Of his anxious expression when
she was not looking-aware and dis
tressed.
"You slept well" he inquired.
She smiled "Famouslyi"
II am glad. You show the benefit.
think you are even more beautiful
than you were. more pale, perhaps,
but-how does one say it?--spirituelle.
But II may be am not fair Judge /;
tonight am so happy, I see all things
couleur de rose"
His lean brown hand stole across
the cloth to cover hers for a moment
"And you-are you not glad. dear, to
be home with me once more7"
She said with difficulty. in a low
voice. looking down at her plate:
II am glad to be with you. Mario"
1t was true: in spite Of everything
she was strangely glad. But 1t was
wrong Of her to say so.
II myself slept till noon," he volun.
teered. "Then waited and waited
for you to wake up, but you were
sleeping like child. you never stirred !;
one had not the heart to disturb you.
Then. when It got so late. and l could
no longer put off going down into the
valley. l gave Martha instructions not
to leave your bedside till I returned
or you awakened"
She wondered: "Whyr
~ was afraid, dared not leave
anything to chance. One could not
foretell I'm what condition you would
wake up. II anything had happened
! think another disappearance
would have driven me insane"
She avoided his eyes, and asked.
rather mechanically, more to say
something than out of desire to know |:
"Why did you have to 60 down into
the valley?"
ITO telegraph New York and call Off
the detectives had employed to look
for you. Also to tell the villagers you
were safely found, and thank them
They were most kind, those good peo-
Pile; fully half hundred of them
stayed up all night with me, while we
searched the woods: and though many
had not had wink of sleep, they
were still searching yesterday after
noon when despaired and determined
to seek you in New York."
Thus reminded Of the sad futlity of
that search, she was too deeply dis
turbed to wonder why he could not
have telephOned to the village. :.
The Japanese served their coffee in
the living room. II was now quite
dark, and the air though sweet was
keen. The fire was burning but the
windows and door were not closed |;
and the family acrld smell of wood
smoke blended pleasantly with the
pungent perfume of the pines.
Mario placed an easy chair for
Priscilla, made It easier with cush-
ions for her back and head, offered
her cigarettes--and showed surprise
when she refused them-lighted one
for himself and threw 1t away half
smoked, and knelt down beside her
chair. resting his elbows on its arm
and capturing one of her hands.
She tried to steel herself against
the weakness of the flesh, the protests
of her affections, the excavation of her
sympathies. reminding herself she
must be cruel to be kind. But II was
terribly hard to hurt him as she must.
1t wasn't as II she didn't care =.
The mere contact of his hand thrilled
her heart to faster tempo. quickening
breath and pulses. affected all her be-
ing with tremOrs Of fear and glad
ness. made her infirm and weak of
purpose. She had for him only a
pathetic apology for smile, fOrlorn
little shake of her head.
A deeper concern Swallowed his face.
He asked tenderly "What is 1t, dearf
You must tell me ="
TITS going to be so hard" she said
reluctantly. ito say what l must. !
can't think how to begin, except In
the bluntest way"
do not be afraid. Tell me frankly
how have failed you, in what respect
! have fallen short"
"But you haven'tw
"Then what it was l did to make
you run away from me-"
"I'm sure you could have done moth
ing"
"Still, you ran awayi'
"No-I Didn't"