The Lamar register., 1922-09-06
CHAPTER TX
The Face at the Window.

The Face at the window.
n was i've days since Wilton had
been to the portage. He had not meant
TO see Molly In his despondency, but
now the discovery Of Chambers
treachery came with an invigorat1ng
shock and aroused his fighting instinct
against Bowyer.
He took the road across the Muskeg.
Wilton saw the girl upstairs, at the
factors side. A book was On her knees
and a lighted lamp behind her. She
was not talking to him. however, but
staring out OF the window. and yet she
did not see Wilton as he came to the
door.
AT his knock she came downstairs
more slowly than usual. When she
opened the door to him he saw that
she was trembling. Her cheek was icy
cold beneath his kiss.
Come In, WILL have something to
say TO you." she said
He put his arm about her. and they
went into the store together. He could
feel that she was trembling all the
while.
what II It, MollyI" he asked, look
Ing into her face and seeing tears in
her eyes. What Is IL, dear7'
I'm afraid that we've both made .
mistake. WILL" she answered.
Wilton laughed. Once or twice Molly
had questioned his love for her. but he
had never had any difficulty In con-
vfncing her. In the usual lovers way.
Molly. dear, ! know l have neglect
ed you." he said penitenuy. But you
know that until the works finished 1
can't ask you something. And I've
been rushing II through. feeling that
then should have the right to-
Its not the work. WILL" she said.
slowly. II want you to release me"
The laughter died on his lips. He
put his hands upon her shoulders and
turned her toward him. She rnlsed her
face; her lips were quiyering. and the
tears had fallen. leaving her eyes hard
and bright.
You mean that Moiiyr' asked VII
ton gravely.
Every word. WIN"
-whyT'
Il have ceased TO care for you"
She was keeping control OF herself
with II strong effort, and she shook
more violently She had nerved her
self to offer an exclamation. but now
face to face with .Iim, she could not
tell him that she had been moved by
pity for him, and self-deeeived. 1t VA.
impossible for her to lie to Wilton.
Molly"-she saw thar his face was
set hard as ON that night OF the riot
81 don't play with love. love you and
trust you. II you mean that, tell me
again. and that will be enough for
me-
''l-meant IL! oh. can't you under
stand that | hav- changedT' she cried
desperately. II can never care for
you. Wilton -
He released her and turned away.
Good might. Molly" he said.
Yet he went slowly out OF the door
and. because the shock had come with
stunning force. he was amazed that
she did not call him back. He could
not make himself understood that all
his dreams and hopes of f1ve minutes
before were broken. Not until he had
reached the portage. Then he stopped
and looked back. The door of the store
"ns tAoN'b iht stha Ah
the factors room and he saw Molly
cross toward him and ding herself on
her knees beside him
He clenched his fists but somehow
the violence that relieved his feelings
usually seemed to have no place here.
He couldn't understand. He went
home slowly across the portage.
The factor looked up when Molly en-
tered. and WAS astonished to see the
tears upon her face. When she kneeied
down he put his hand clumslly upon
her hair.
What has happened. lass?' he
asked 'was 1t VIII Carruthers We
quarreied with7"
He will never come here again"
said Molly.
A dull IRE burned in the factors
eyes. He seemed TO be struggling be-