Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1921-05-28

Her regard reverted 10 the hFihs
room. She thought 1t delightful in ev-
cry detail of its unpretentious luxury.
Riches alone could never have ere
ated II. The wood fire ready laid IN
the fieldstone fireplace would present
ly be grateful; already there was
hint of chill In the aromatic, rare air
of the hills.
She moved aimlessly to the middle
Of the room and paused again. A long
breath sighed on her lips. AS she
turned uneasily toward the veranda
a duplication of the gesture made her
aware of a mirror on the wall oppo-
site. She inspected herself gravely
She had walked up without a shad-
ow of doubt upon her understanding !;
she recalled without break every
link in the chain Of events which had
brought her to this place; she was
acutely conscious of her anomalous
position in this household. profoundly
disturbed i.
A remote droning noise crept into
the stiffness of the evening so gradual
ly that she noted It without any as
constituent; but when, gaining in vol
ume, it became recognizable as the
sustained growl of motorcar rapidly
climbing the mountain road, she began
to trembe.
The car swept swiftly across the far
side of the clearing, swung into the
drive that led to the garage, and as
appeared. The throbbing of Its motor
was stilled Impatient footsteps sound
ed on the gravel walk.
Her body was vibrating now like a
reed. Almost the impulse was more
strong than her will, to fly back to
her bedchamber, lock herself in, refuse
How could she face him and tell
him the truth? How break his heart?
And not his alone j.
Running up the steps to the veranda
he saw her waiting In the shadows
and cried out to her in the name of
LeonOra She could not reply. Men
! tai rehearsal of what her attitude at
this meeting should be proved value
| less. She had meant to guard against
his arms with q respect, an authority
which must command respect and win
her time enough to tell him; she was
captive and powerless before she
could lift hand or articulate one
syllable of protest. The passion OF
his kisses, the murmuring of his voice
were overpowering. The quickened tu
multi of her pulses was like the storm
ing Of a strong surf She loved
Stunned, GREATNESS, quivering, hui
inflated, she found that she had some
how contrlved to put him from her
The panied perplexity in his gaze cut
like knife. She turned aside, thai
she might not see :.
"Forgive me-" he begged. 81 have
been inconsderate, thoughtless, in tn,
Joy of having you restored to me
Forgive
"There is nothing to forgive" SHE
interrupted. you've done nothing
that wasn't right and natural. Only
Oh How can make you understand? ?
He gave a helpless gesture. "Tel
me what you wish me to understand
will try. I love you so ~
Touched, she sought to smile kind!
through her tears. "Give me mo
ment," she pleaded tremulous hands
busy with the disarray of her hair
"glve me a little time, Mario"
The mellow booming Of tubular
gong sounded. Mario turned impa
tiently Bowling and smiling, the Jap
anese boy stood in the entrance to tn,
dining room.
Dinner is served"
By a resolute effort she succeeded
in composing face and manner. Mari,
maintained an inquiring attitude, def
erential, puzzled, hurt Somehow sh
mustered smile that only mystifie,
him the more.
"Do something for me, Mario +.
"You know you need but ask"
LET us have dinner. / think-In
sure I'm hungry And let us not tall
during dinner; let's pretend nothing
has happened. Afterward, promis
you
But it shall be as you wish--o
counsel