Evening star., 1922-04-30

HIS FIGURE.
appeared Herter's Anna. She had
been helping in the basement with
the supper.
Come on" he said.
For q second she looked at him.
II can't. My folks are going home"
| "old Herter?"
She nodded
It'll drive you back" His arm
was around her. and they swung on
to the floor. He held her SO close he
could feel her breathe and the smell
Of her hair was in his nostrils. He
had always known, some way, she
could dance. 1t was a tune her
mother had danced to and her grand
mother: and other men. in some far
away village, had held them with
the same unwilling passion and felt
the soft warmth of their arms.
At the end Of the dance they stood
| near the door again. and he followed
her into the twilight.
| wait here by the she'd" he said.
"and Ill hitch up"
In Ave minutes he was back. and
he helped her up on to the drivers
seat beside him. Out of the sleep.
ing village they logged in silence.
The moon had risen now and hung,
low and yellow, over the rustling
corn6elds. He could see her face
plainly. Her hat was of. and her
disheveled hair was coiled in a knot
low in her neck. No wonder men
had loved her! Then he thought of
the Austrian fellow who had gone
west, who had deserted her. and he
wondered IL she still cared for him.
Funny what moonlight does to
this country" he said finally. ITO
day I hated It, but It's all changed
now" He thought suddenly of the
moor in 1.-The Return of the Native"
Of course, she wouldn't understand
The wagon lurched over the rail-
road track. and their shoulders
touched. The next turn brought
them in view of the Herters' farm
and the lights from the kitchen win
dows.
Better stop here by the gate"
she said.
He drew the horse to a halt.
twisted the reins around the whip
socket, and got out. Then he held
his hands up to help her over the
dusty wheel. For a second she stood
there above him, her pink dress
strangely white in the moonlight
Then she slid down into his arms
and he caught her to him.
Anna"
his mouth against her with a
merciless awkward frceness. 1t was
the first time he had ever kissed a
woman when 1t mattered. Sudden
ly he released her and stepped back
against the side of the wagon.
I'm goin' to prayer meetin' We'd
nesday night" she said. THE Her
ters will be away to the state fair"
He didn't make any answer. but
they both knew he would be there.
waiting for her. In the moonlight.
When the cooler nights arrived Zeke
became stronger. He was walking
about now, but he did not interfere
with Stephen or any Of the plans for
the harvest. He seemed SO amenable
| that once Hephzibah mentioned to
Stephen her visit to Vermont.
Hes feelin' fair to middlin' now"
she said. "and I'd only dare to go
while you was still here to manage"
steps. looking out to the sunset. He
made no answer. and she looked up
4 at him sharply. He had grewn older
that summer, she thought. and his
face looked haggard under the tan.
IL low you'll be goin' back to
the city come next October" she ven
tured.
He knew she wanted his conf
dence, but he was in no mood for
confession. Il don't know" he an
swered. Maybe I won't be going
back this fall. Maybe I'll rent the
Stump place from Smart and keep on
being farmer"
Stephen
The anxiety in her voice startled
him. We'll. what's wrong with
that?' he combated.
"Nothin'." She was quick to make
amends. "Nofhin'-only we'd plan
ned somethin' else for you. some
thin bigger"
Bigger" His voice was full of
scorn. II reckon you and I have
spent an awful lot of time overesti-
mating me-"
She stretched out her hand. and
touched his sleeve. What's the mat
ter. stevie?'
Nothing"
r y \
1.-THE next evening after supper
Stephen changed his overalls for
the blue serge suit he had worn
homo from college. Hephzibah sensed
he, did not want his change, OF cos
tums commented on or his early de-
lgaxturs from ths kitohsA with the