Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1924-08-02
CHAPTER Vlli-continued.

ed her Of the one on which she and
Grant had sat that night while the
thin red lines Of FIRE played far az
and down the valley. Her ankle was
paining a little 50 she removed her
boot and stocking and soothed It In
the cool water
As she sat watching her reflection
in the clear stream and toying with
the ripple about her foot a horseman
rode quickly down through the cot
toDwoods on the other side and
plunged into the ford. 1t happened 50
quickly that neither saw the other I'M
Ill he was well into the river Al
though she had had no dream Of see
ing him here, IN some way she felt no
surprise. Her heart was behaving
boisterously, but she sat outwardly de-
mUre, aud when he was close enough
she sent a frank smile up to him. The
look on his sunburne9 fare "a he re-
turned her greeting convinced her that
the meeting, on his part, was no less
unexpected ami welcome than 1t was
to her
When his horse was out OF the wa
ter ne dsmounted and walked to her
with extended hand.
"This Is an unexpected pleasure"
he said. How is the ankle progress
mgr
''Well enough" she returned, but
II gets tired as the day wears on.
an, inst rnSfipv "a hftn
There was moment Of somewhat
embarrassed silence
'That is a good-slzed rock" he sug
gested, at length.
Yes, isn't It? And here in the shade,
at that"
She did not invite him with words,
but she gave her body a slight hitch
as though TO make room, although
there was enough already. lie sat down
without comment.
"Not unlike a rock I remember up
In the foothills" he remarked. after a
silence
"Oh, you remember that2 1t was
Ike slis, wasat tn"
Same two people sitting on t."
Yes
mot like tbls, though"
~No. You're mean. You
know | didn't intend to fall asleep"
cor course not. Still =. :"
His voice fingered on It SIS though It
were a delightful remembrance.
She found herself holding one OF her
hands IN the other. She could feel the
pressure Of Transleys ring on her
palm, and she held It tighter stlll
"Rldng anywhere In particularly" he
inquired
mo. Just incoming" She looked up
ut him again. this time al close quar-
ters, Il was n quick, bright fash on
his face-a moment only.
"Why moouIng?"
She did not answer Looking down
in the water he met ner gaze there.
you're troubled Z" he exclaimed
"oh, no! My my ankle hurts a
little"
He looked at her sympathetically.
"But not that much. ne said
She gave forced little laugh.
"WhGt mind reader you ure Can
you tell my fortunef'
II should have TO read It In your
hand"
She would have extended her hand.
but for Transley's ring
mo. No. You1l have to
read II in-in the stars"
'"rhen look at me" She did so. IN.
noccntly.
81 cannot read # there" he snld.
after his long gaze had begun to whip
the color TO her cheeks. "Tl,ere is no
answer"
She turned again TO the water, and
after a long while she heard his voice.
very low and earnest
"Zen, I could read a fortune for you,
II you would not he offended. We are
only chance ncqualntauces mot very
well acquainted yet"
She knew what he meant but she
pretended she did not. Even In that
moment something came TO her OF
Trausleys speech about love being a
game Of pretense, Very we'll. she
would play the game this once.
u don't see how | could be offended
at your reading my fortune" she mur.
INJURED
''Then this Is The fortune I would
read for You. he said boldly. az see q
young man. a rather foolish Young
man. perhaps, by ordinary standards.
and yet one who has found great
deal Of happiness ir his simple. uuron.
ventjonal life Until a short time ago
ne felt that life could give him all the
happiness that was worth having. He
had health, strength. hours OF work
and hours Of pleasure, the fields. tie
hills, the mountains, the sty-au
Gods open places 10 live III ANA enjoy
He thought there was nothing more.
wei, then he found. all OF sud
den. thar there was something more
everything more lie made that dis
covery on calm autumn night, when
fire had blaCkened all the foothills ana
etlll ran in dancing red ribbons over
their distant crests That night q
treat thiug--tVo great things ma
MO his fife First was something he
gave Not very much. indeed. nlt tvnl.