The Arvada enterprise., 1923-12-27
THE BRANDING IRON
CHAPTER xlV-continued.
~

.s the cause of 1t; she only lost her
c,ow =. love-happIness, her face
canned dwindled, seemed to contract,
.nd that secret look of wild animal
returned to her gray eyes. She qui-
o,,v gave up the old regulations of
the,r life: she did not remind him of
The study-hours, the music-hours, the
hours of wild outdoor play. She read
under the frs, alone; she studied
taItbfuly, alone; she climbed and
,wam, alone-or with his absent.
minded, fitful company; she worked in
her garden, alone. At night when he
was asleep. she lay with her hand
nressed against her heart, staring at
the darkness, listening to the. night.
waiting. She never expressed her
trouble, even to herself. She did not
i've II any words. She took her pain
without wincing. without complaint.
Besides, although she was instinctively
waiting, she did not foresee the end
II was in late October when. some
where in the pile Of Prosper's mail.
there lay a small gray envelope. Joan
drew his attention to 1t. calling 1t
"oueer little letter." and he took 1t
mn slowly. as though his deft and
nervous fingers had gone numb. Be-
fore he opened 1t he looked at Joan
snd in one sense. 1t was the last time
hc ever did look at her: for at that
moment his stark spirit looked straight
into hers, acknowledging its guilt. and
hode her a mute and remorseful fare
we'll.
He read and Joan watched His face
grew pale and bright as though some
electric current had been turned into
his veins: his eyes. looking up from
the writing. but not returning to her.
had the look given by some drug
which is meant to stupefy. hut which
taken in m overdose intoXicates. He
turned and made for the door. hold
ins the little gray folded paper in his
hand. On the threshold he half faced
her without lifting his eyes.
"I have had extraordinary news.
Joan ! shall have to 90 of alone md
think things out. don't know when
I shall get back" He went out and
shut the door gently.
Joan stood listening. She heard him
n along the passage and through the
second door. She heard his feet on
the mountain trail. Afterward she
went out and stood between the two
sentinel frs that had marked the Ell
&tnA t,,r NJ ,lv
disappeared. Now It was late Oc-
tcber day. bright MS a barred sword.
The flowers Of the Indian pnint-brush
burned like red candle flames every
where under the frs. the fire-weed
hlazed. the aspen leaves were hid like
little golden tiles against the metallic
blue Of the sky. The high peak point
ed up dizzily and down. down dizzily
into the clenr emptiness Of the lake.
This great peak stood there in the
elittering stiffness of the day. A
grouse bOometl. hut Joan was not
startled ~ the sudden rush OF its
wings. Sse felt the sharp weight of
that silent mountain In her heart; she
might have been buried under II. So
she felt II all day while she worked,
a desperate. bright dny--hideous in
her memory-and ut night she lay
waiting. After hours longer than any
other hours the door Of her bedroom
opened and an oblong Of moonlight. as
white as paper. fell across the matted
moor. Prosper stepped In nolselessly
and walked over to her bed. He stood
moment and she heard him swallow.
You're awake, Jonn?"
Her eyes were staring up at him,
but she lny still.
Listen. Joan" He spoke In short
sentences, waiting between each for
some comment Of hers which did not
come. Il shall have to so away to-
morrow. l shall have to 90 away for
some time. don't wnnt you to he
unhappy. I want you to stay here for
while II you will. for so long as you
want to stay. nm leaving you plenty
OF money. will write and explain 1t
all very clearly to you. know that
You will understand. Listen" Here
he knelt and took her hands, which he
iound lying cold and stIfr under the
cover, pressed nEainst her henrt. ~
have made you happy here In this
'f''e honse. haven't !. Jonn?"
She wonld not answer even this ex-
~pt by the merest flicker Of her eye
lids.
"You have trusted me: now trust
me n little longer. My life Is very
complicated. This beautiful year
with you, the year you have given to
me, Is just n temporary respite from
from all sorts Of things. I've tnnrht
Fon rrent dcal, Joan. I'VE healed
me wound TINT brute made on your
shoulder and In your heart. I've
"ught you 10 he beautiful. I've filed
your mind with beauty. You are n
wonderful woman. You'll live. to be
grateful 10 me- Some day you'll tell
N" 20"
Her quiet. curved lips moved. "Arc
you 'ellln' me good.by. rrosper;'