The Arvada enterprise., 1923-11-22

Il struggle. He was afflicted bv ,
crossing OF purposes and a stumbling
of Intention.
He did not care to risk second
look. He crept AWAY and fled into
the windy dusk. He Travelled with the
wind like blown rag. and, stopping
only for few hours rest ut the
ranger station, made the journey home
by morning of the second day. And on
the journey he definitely made up his
mind concerning Joan.
Prosper Gael was a man OF deliber>
ate, though passionate, Imagination.
lie did not often act upon Impulse,
though his actions were often those
attempted only by pasSion.drlvcn or
impulslve folk. Prosper could never
plead thoughtlessness. He Justified
carefully his every action to himself.
These were cold. dark hours Of DELHI
GRAFTON as he let the wind drive him
across the desolate land When the
wind dropped and Il splendid, still dawn
swept up into the clean sky. he was Mt
peace with his own mind and climbed
up the mountain trail with half.
smile on his face.
In the dawn. awake on her pillows,
Joan was listening for him. and mt the
sound OF his webs she sat up, pale
to her lips. She did not know what
she feared. but she was filed with
dread. The restful stupor that had
followed her storm of grief had spent
Itself and she was suffering again
waves of longing for Pierre, OF hatred
for him. alternately submerged her.
All these bleak. gray hours OF wind
during which Wen Ho had battered
In and out with meals. with wood for
her stove. with little questions as to
her comfort, she had suffered ns peo-
pie suffer In 4 dream; restless
misery Ike the misery Of the pine
branches that leaped up and down be-
fore her window. The stiffness OF the
dawn with its sound OF nearing steps,
gave her a sickness OF heart and brain.
SO that when Prosper came softly in
AZ her door she saw him through
mist. He moved quickly TO her side.
knelt by her. took her hands.
HE has been cared for. joan" said
Prosper. "Some friend Of his came
and did all that was left 10 he done"
"Some friend;" In the pale, delicate
~ expanding light Joan's face cleaned
between Its black coils OF hair with
eyes like enchanted tarns. Prosper
could see In them reflections OF those
terror> that had been tormenting her.
His touch pressed reinsurance upon
her. his eyes. his voice.
"My poor child! My dear I'm glad
am back TO take care Of you! Cry.
Let me comfort you. He has been
cared for. He Is not lying there alone.
He is dead Let's forgive him. joan"
He shook her hands little, urgently,
and n most painful memory Of Pierre's
beSeechinc grasp came upon Jonn.
She wreNchcd away and fell back,
QuivcrInc, but she did not cry, only
nsked IN her most moving voice, "Who
took care of Pierrc-aftcr ! went
away and left him dead?"
Prosper got TO his feet and stood
with his arms folded, looking YEARLY
down nj her. His mouth had fallen
into rather cynical lines and there
were Fuckers ut the corners OF his
eyes. "Oh. big. fair young MANA
rosy boy-face. s"rious-look!ng, blue
eyes"
Joan was startled and turned round.
at WINS Mr.. Holliwell." she said. In n
wondering tone. Ibid you talk with
him! Did you tell him.
mo. Hardly" Prosper shook his
head. ~ found out what he had done
for your Pierre without asking un-
necessary questions. saw him, but
he did not see me"
Hell he comm 10 get me" said
Joan. II was nm entirely Unconditional
statement OF certainty.
Prosper pressed his lips into II line
and narrowed his eyes upon her.
"Oh. he wIll'"
yves. IIc'll be tnkin' after the. He
must "a ben scnirt by somethln' Pierre
sn,d in the town durin' their quarrel
mn hive come up inter him 20 look
out whn, Pierre would he doln' 10
me. wlsh' he'd n come In
time. Whnt must he be think
IN ~ me now. 70 md Pierre n.lyln
there dead. an me gone He'll he
tnk!n inter me 70 hr'nr me home"
Prosper would almost hnr" Gu"s'
toned her then, his sharp me" was
certainly n. that moment the fac" "'
mn ,nauisitor, set Of keen md dell.
cntc Instruments ready for probing
hut SO wenry and chlldlike did sh"
look, So weary md chlldllke wns her
speech. TINT he forbore Whn' did II
mnttcr. nf'er NIL. whnt there was In
her pns,i She hnd done what she lind
done. been what she Ind been. II the
fellow Ind branded her FOR sin why.
she hnh suffered overmnch. Prosper
admitted. TINT. unbranded ms to skin,
he was scarcely A. 20 put his dirty