The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-01-18

NskfN AufftCltUt RESPONSE w hef oNil
breast. she lacked the ecstasy. the
wonder that she had known when. as
girl, she had first become engaged
TO Harold. They embarrassed her
rather than thrilled her. they didn't
= seem quite real Perhaps she had
simply grown older. That was Il.
some % her rirlish romance had died
natural death. She would give this
man her love. would take his In re-
turn. and they would have the usual
normal happiness Of marriage. All
would come out well. once they got
away from the silence and the SHOWS
Perhaps his large and extrayagant
speeches were merely out OF place
In the stark reality OF the wilderness;
they would thrill her az ever when
she returned to her native city. Like
~ he could dance. after a little prac-
ticc. as well as ever. I'M his niche
in society and give her all the happl
ness that woman has a right to ex.
pect upon this imperfect earth. There
was certainly nothing to be distressed
over now. They had been brought
together As II by a miracle. any
haunting doubt and fear. too subtle
: and Intangible 20 put into words or
even concrete thought. would quickly
pass away.
She did net. however. go frequently
INTO his arms. Some way. an en-
barr~~ment. a sense OF inappropri-
s,eness and unrest always assaulted
her when he tried TO claim the ca.
resses that he felt were his due. Aud
At first she could not find plausible
explanation for her reserve. Perhaps
these tcndcrnesses were also out Of
place In the grim reality OF the
North. more likely. she decided. IL
was - subtle sense. the guardian
angel OF her own integrity. warning
her that too intimate relations with
that man must be avoided. isolated
and exiled as they were. mot now.
Harold she would tell him Not
until we're established agaln-at
home
Finally his habits and hls actions
did not quite meet with her approval.
The first OF these was only little
thtng--a failure TO keep shaved.
Shaving IN these surroundings. with
out mirror. with battered old razor
that had lain long In the cabin and
had TO be sharpened on n milestone.
where every drop Of hot water used
had TO be latorlousiy heated on the
stove. was an annoying chore at
best: besides. there was no ono to
see him except Virginia and the
guide. The stuhbic matted and grew
on his lips and jo~s. Dill. In con-
-s1st. shaved with greatest care every
evening A more important point
was his avoidance OF his proper share
Of Biifs daily toll. He neither hewed
wood nor drew water. nor made any
apologies for the emission Rather
he gave the idea that Bilrs services
were due him By rights.
There was a little explosion. one
afternoon. when he venturrd TO zd-
wise her In regard to her relations
with Bail The forester himself Was
cutting wood outside the cabin. they
heard the mighty sring Of his al
against the tough spruce. Virginia
was Mt work preparing their simple
evening meal. Harold was stretched
on her own cot. the curtain drawn
back. his arms under hts head. his
unshaven face curiously dark and
unprepossesslng.
you want TO keep on your own
Eround--with Bill. Virginia" he
heran In the silence.
Virginia turned 20 him, wave Of
hot resentment flowing clear to her
finger tips. II he had seen her
flushed, intent face he would have
Backed ground quickly. Unfortu-
,aieIy he was gazing quietly out the
stndow.
what do you nnean7'' she asked.
Wholly aware Of her own dis.
ieasure. wondering at II and anxious
her voice. Its tone gave no key 10
her thoughts. Harold answered her.
stifi unwarnsd:
II mean-keep him NJ his distance
He's a different sort from you and
7. I don't mean he isn't all right. as
far ar his kind Roes--but he hasn't
had the advantages" Harold spoke
tolerantiy. patronizinRiy. Those fel.
pws are apt TO take an advantage Of
any familiarity. They're all right N
you keep 'en IN their place-~-but
they're mighty likely 10 break loose
from II any minute. I'm sorry you
ever let him caii you Virginia"
Virginia. eyes blszed. II II - one
OF the precspts OF good breeding
never to let anger control the spirit.
Her little hands ci~nched, and she
hal a fierce and insane desire 10
beat those babbiing lips with her
lists. Then she struggled To regain
her composure.
Listen. Harold" she began at last
coIdiy. II don't care TO hear any
more. such talk az that"
The man booked up then. He saw
the righteous Indignation IN her face.
lie felt the rising tide Of his own
anger. I'm only trying 90 warn
you" he 6egsn weakly.
~ And ] don't need or want any
such warnings. I don't care what
you think Of Biil--for that matter.
you can be sure that Biu doesn't
care at all elthcr--but IN ak you
70 keep your thoughts 70 yourself.
Oh, II you only knew--how good.
how strong. how true he has been
how tender he has been 20 me-
Harold was torn with jealous rage.
and in his fury and malice he made
the worst mistake Of all. II hope
ne hasn't been too tender" ne sug.
xested vfclously.
But at once he was on HE feet.
begging her pardon. He knew that
he had made a dangerous and regret.
table mistake. She forgive him
forgiveness was as much a part Of
her as her graciousness or her 10y.
aity--but she didn't Immediately for.
get. And Harold sat long hours with
smolder1ng eyes and elenched hands.
a climbing fire and fury IN his brain.
while the malice and the resentment
and the Jealousy that he held toward