The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-11-20

=, "e'e she turned ana clung to
nim' He drew her into his arms and
kissed her with more passion than
usual
we shall be married directly you re-
turn, Bah. darling" he said huskily.
Ieelins suspicious lump In his throat.
It'll meet you, when you come back.
1t won't be long"
Hugh knew that his Barbara's warm.
hearted impulses occasionally resulted
ID moments of embarrassment. Gently
'oosening the clinging arms. he bade
Aunt Dolly farewell. Then he turned
TO the cabin door. hesitated, came back.
kissed Barbara's wet cheeks passion.
ately again. and ran down the steps.
Croft leaned down and waved fare
well; then he gave the signal. Slowly,
the machine glided away.
But with quick transition. the move
ment merged into the swift run of a
bird seeking cover. Faster and vet
raster' 1t became wild roaring race
across the grass. which soon the little
wheels failed to touch, as. at an in
credibly short distance, the airplane
rose lightly from the ground.
Thrice she circled. high above the
heads Of those who watched. Then.
sure Of her capabilities. she turned,
with final upward curve. and settled
down to her work
The days wore on to weeks. full Of
the Important trifles that constitute
daily country life. For a time Oar
bury felt little fiat, lacking in sensa-
tion. There seemed to be a dearth Of
subjects for conversation; and when a
community has nothing to talk about.
1t Is in bad way.
Letters from Barbara were frequent
and full Of enthusiasm. Croft was evil
IDENTIFY fulfilling the part allotted to
him to the letter. during the calls at
each sightseeing place; and Hugh felt
grateful.
When letters became more infre-
quent, owing to distance, wireless mes
sages stated that all was well.
With delightful suddenness a fresh
thrill was provided for Darbury by
Jenny Grant, 4 village girl. She had.
II was rumored. got into trouble"
with 4 sailor who had recently been
on leave In the neighborhood. Mrs.
Stockley, with commendable charity.
placed 4 large part Of the blame On
the girls mother. The mother had se-
ceded from the church; therefore. Of
course, she was NO favorite with the
bishops descendant. :.
There is, provefbially. q lull before
q storm. Darbury. during those peace
fui days Of late summer, had no intui-
tion Of the most terrible thrill Of all.
In these days Of thrills.
Hugh. especially. was Of tso bright
and wholesome 4 nature to have mis-
givings, when the sun shone and all
seemed we'll.
Returning one day with q friend
from a mornings clubbing, II was
therefore with NO sense Of impending
disaster that he refined up at Lake
Cottage and proposed calling. A small
group Of people. talking together near
the main road. turned and cast won
dering looks In his direction.
II was one Of those glorious morn
,inxs at the end Of September In which
late summer and early autumn inter
mingle. Hugh glanced round With .
pleased sense Of appreciation.
Then he rang the bell.
The face of old Martha, who opened
the door. was red and swollen with
weeping. Her limbs trembied. ~ II
from sudden shock.
For q moment she sazed At him
blankly. half In astOnishment. half In
fear: then, without q word, she burst
into hysterical sobs and turned back
into the house.
The color ebbed q little from Hugh's
face. He looked 1t his friend IN vague
apprehension, and they silently fol-
lowed the woman Into the drawing
room. Instead Of being bright and ira
grant with the flowers Barbara loved
about her. II seemed strangely cold.
gloomy and deserted.
A chill fell on Hugh.
"Where is Mrs. Stockley?" he asked
uneasily.
"UpstaIrs," sobbed Martha. She
walked to the little bureau and picked
nm a telegram. Turning slowly. she
half held II toward him. and the fiimsy
paper trembIed violently In her hands.
Hugh took the telegram slowly from
the woman. For a moment he looked
uncertainty at her frightened face.
then round the familiar room. as If
dra.dinp to rend IL. At last.
with an obvious effort. he raised the
sheet. and turned away.
The telegram Huttered. unheeded, to
the floor: and Hugh raised shaking
hands to his head, in a vague uncer-
tain manner. He turned slowly. his
face ashen haggard and old all at
once. His lips moved little. but no
sound came: he looked at his friend
with the bcwildered eye OF dumb
animal awakening 10 some terrible