Clearwater Republican., 1921-07-08

he be very likely TO discover rave. |
that he had been the man
of her choice, instead of her ncns
the woman of his? And would that
make for happiness for either? There
was nothing for her to do but Jump
right back into that bush!
That evening Philip came To call
and departed yainly trying TO recall
what he could possibly have done To
so change Anne toward him. Not
once had she responded to word or
look Of his In her usual bright. sym
pathetically interested way. And
when her father appeared after his
office hours she excused herself and
said she was going to retire. So it
happened the next time-and again.
Now the cooler Anne grew toward
Philip the more desirable she became
to him, but try as he would he could
make no progress toward finding the
cause Of her new Indifference. De-
MED even the satisfaction of his in
stinctive social qualities, Utard turned
more often to Susan Belden for com
panionship and the oftener he did the
more persistently his thoughts were
occupied with Anne.
1t was a cold, sullen February sun
day afternoon when 1t came to Philip
that he could stand this state of af-
fairs no longer, ana he set out for the
Anne and get the truth from her II
possible.
| From her window Anne caught sight
Of Philip as he toiled up the Hill
against the bitter north wind. In an
instant she was into her fur coat and
tam and running down the back stairs.
In the kitchen she successfully lodged
the vast bulk of Lucinda. who couldn't
see mo sense nohow" in going out on
such day-and was on her way
down the back road, which led straight
out into the open country, at the mo
ment when Philip rang the bell.
Lucinda, with wave of her pudgy
black hand. pointed out the direction
Of Anne's flight, disclaiming with II
shake of her woody head any respon-
sibility for "sech fooishness" There
was u grim, o-or-die look about Phil
ip as he snugged his coat collar about
his neck and set out in pursuit.
Anne looked back from the first rise
In the road and saw Philip striding
across the back yard. AS she recon
noitered again from the summit of the
| r;c hn In,
first. The wind whipped her short
walking skirt tight against her legs.
1t was hard going. 1t began 10 snow,
fine light flakes, fOrerunner of real
storm. But to Anne the pursuit had
become symbol. She had not the
slightest thought of turning back. IL
Philip really wanted to see her-to he
with her-badly enough not to give up
in spite Of anything-well she would
test him to the utmost of her strength.
And Philip--it seemed to him that
his very life depended on overtaking
that light figure flying before him into
the teeth of the storm, even as his
happiness must depend on what was
to transpire at the end of the chase
He was gaining fast. The snow
blinded Anne's eyes, and the bite OF
the wind sent tears coursing down
her cheeks; but still she managed
somehow, TO keep putting one foot
ahead Of the other. He vas almost
up to her. Her strength was gone
But surely she could take one more
step. And then--she vanished from
the sight of the man behind her as
though the earth had swallowed her
: There was an eXcavation-sOmer roat
work going on and the light timber
barrier had been blown away by the
wind. Unhurt, but exhausted
Anne lay where she fell. But strong
arm lifted her and held her tight. ant
Phil's voice said: II was prepared Il
follow you to the ends of the earth
but not to the center of 1t. Bu
we're here. And before we get ou
you've got to tell me why you have
frozen me; why you have avoided
.. me; why you ran away from me JUS
now"
Anne was too tired to lift her heat
from that broad shoulder. ut was be
cause" she said-.because l didn'
have an absolute hump"
Phil let 1t go at that. then. But ;
hundred times since. over coffee o.
crib, he has tried to find out wha
she meant But Anne only laughs.