The Washington times., 1924-02-12

Wis., SSSeNN 80
go?'
could you have gone2''S
II seem to be here. don't i?
Kicked out on my face and back
again! MOI couldn't have
gone. don't want To-"
She laughed to hide a shout
ing exultance: but hear tell
as how New York is full OF lures
for caIlow youth and you may
forget the fair one in the wooliy
West. You may go and come
again no more"
He said quietly: II tried to
do that, Chicl1ie. You seem 70
have something of me that
can't take back. / wish
"Nothing-" But q flush dash.
al to his temples. He went on
rapidly: THAT you loved me
more than anything on earth--
She stopped him. i thirK
do"
They talked like this for hours
lying in the sun. They poured
out this golden wine and made a
chalice OF each others hearts
When it came evening and she
stood at the little wooden shelf
that served for q bureau in the
crude room she dressed as
though kings were to see her.
She looked into the stained,
cloudec mirror and laughed, say
ing with a Tilt: well yolk OF
an egg, shall you outshine the
sun? Not IL Helena Bryce can
help itv' She put perfume be-
hind her ears and q few lavish
drops on her hair.
When she ran down to meet
him on the path his breath
caught. He said. teasingly: WIN
min Is wicked"
They went down to the beach.
He held her hand. "Only a few
hours more, Chickie." But when
she wiped her eyes he added:
"What a sorry loveress you are!
But you'll soon be going.
Barry"
1T may not be for long.
Chickie."
What do you mean by that?
Aren't you sure-very sure?"
He laughed. Does one ever
know, Chickie2 We only have
this hour for our own. Suppose
the train goes dashing off the
track"
"No-don't! Oh, I dreamed Of a
thing like that" She frightened
her fingers on his hand.
It was late, but no moon ira
versing the inky sky. A thousand
stars strewed with faint diamonds
the dark breast Of the water. Up
and down the stream was no
sound but q gentle lap-lap
against the shore; no motion but
a fish leaping in the air.
He whispered, bending down
against her ear: BLACK, isn't It?
Are you afraid?"
mo. 1t only makes you
nearer"
you feel like that, Chiche?
You want me near?"
"Hush-Oh, Barry, let's not say
a woodworking. This is like a
dream, isn't it? / feel So"
He slid the canoe into the
0b4 O2AAs GA46 R0AAAU 6IL ASA Au0
water. Sitting in the bottom Of
the boat. she rested against him.
They went down the river, skirt
ing close to the willows, where
the channel was deepest. Shadows
from overhanging rocks and
shrubs massed in a still dark,
closing about them.
1t seemed to her that they two
were moving from the world into
this vast, eternal silence and
there was no sound but the thun-
der of her heart. Now and then
he let the boat drift. He stoop-
ed and kissed her. She felt 1t
more than she could bear.
Absently she murmured: 'rBar.
~, feel as though you and I
were going far away together.
Oh, hate to let you go alone.
I wish this night would last and
last"
He ran his hand along her
shoulder. She felt it shake and
palm. He said. quickened: You'd
love me enough for that, Chickie?
To go away with me?"
ITO die for you"
A short, rough sound, half
. laugh: you mean that? Chickie,
II this was our last kour-oh,
suppose-you'd care enough for
all-would your"
ooh"
"Tell me"
The boat rested in q cove be-
tween two rocks, Across from
them a small island, like a little
black world, alone. They saw
it-dim, imperturbable, heavy
with shrubs.
TO Be Continued TomOErOw.)
Copyright, 1894, by King Features
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