The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-11-13
CHAPTER III. NFiaa

CHAPTER III. Miss Mystery. Carson wis disgusted. He had inn agined possibilities. Inspired by the charm of this woman who had come hungry to his camp he had tried
 every means of approach his limited | college affairs had taught. Three days had passed. | What she thought he could not tell. She had interrupted his efforts at friendship on the first day.
 'If you please, Jerry,' she had said,
 "I don't want you to think me u1i-
 grateful, but I had rather be to my
 own entertainment. I will prepare your meals in some slight attempt at
 thanks for your food. For the rest
 mayn't we go about our solitary ways
 as we should have done had bruin not pre-empted my pantry?'
 Her request had chilled him. Sung by her desire for solitude he had acquiesced to the fullest of his capa- bilities
 She was a most genial companion | at table, but the rest of the time he rarely saw her. Their evenings were spent in wordIess communion at op- tposite sides of a fire. then each went to his own camp to sleep. She had constructed a tiny shelter | before he had met her. He had made his couch on a heap of moss some hundred feet below hers, where l the song of the falls was richly audi ble.
 So the fourth day passed. Carson resented it. There was something about her that made him more eager to talk and to appear we'll than he had ever been before. but he was always thwarted, made to feel ridicu- lous, and altogether, he was beg1n- | ming to look forward to the separation | hopefully.
 It was evening. He had taken a lunch that day and gone up the creek
 Returning at sundown he found
 Edith in a mood quite different from any he had yet seen. She met him with a welconnfn# smile and in her eyes was a detached amusement not altogether free from disapproval.
 "so you did come back Her voice 1 lifted teasin gly. Didn't you expect me?" He dropped his basket of fish and sat upon a log.
 "I wasn't sure. You regard my | requests 1iterally.'' Her glance was a puzzle. Carson felt uncomfortabl q scarcely ever thrust myself upon anyone.''
 At his offended boyishness sne | laughed delightfully."-. They ate the evening me al in silence In silence he helped her wash dishes and replenish | the fire.
 The last broad banner of black ana gold dropped suddenly from the sky leaving the canon dark save for tne1r 1 great fire.@ Carson sprawIed at ease l smoking as usual Edith sat moodily
 watching the play of flame l Suddenly she rose with a gesture | of discontent- He paid no attention | She stood moment sirresolute. then | hurried into her hut of branches | When she returned Carson caught his
 breath. She was clad in a filnaly green gown falling in soft cHnging 1 lines about her. Her black hair fell 1 loose over her shoulders. In her eyes | a strange light f1ickered Her thin 1 lips were rigidly compressed. With 1 out a word she spread d a great panther | skin beside the fire near him ana | threw herself upon it. He noticed 1 the contrast between it's towny blue black and the strands of her ha1r falling across it. You have more courtesy than in- sight, Jerry" she announed, proppfng her chin on her hand. q am disap- pointed"
 I'm sorry. Aren't you enjoying the
 woods?"
 She made a quick little motion or l disapproval with one hand Don't be irritable. It makes me ] stupid" T beg your pardon" In the light of the fire there was something exasperatingly stimulat- iT0 in
 his will Carson could not but watch her.
 'TeH me about yourself. Jerry" Her, voice was liquid. Tt would bore you.''
 ''Tell me anyway
 What do you want to know?'' "Oh, tell me about your nom.,
 your father and mother and the girl
 you are in love with just now ana
 anything else you care to-. But I'm not in love with any girl just now"
 Aren't you? Well tell about the
 last disillusionment then.'
 ''The other day you said you knew about me. I should think you nad
 rather tell me something. Do you know that I haven't even learned
 your full name?"
 Haven't you? It seems unneces- without it. Suppose you don't ask me questions" You are not exactly fair. are you 7' Probably not. should be stupidly limited if I tried" 'I don't understand She twisted suddenly into a sitting posture. her feet under her. The grace in her movement was un-
 canny.