Evening star., 1932-01-10

That's a hamper. We're picknicking
the ocean front"
| IE jumped up, seized the hamper In one
hand and Mara in the other and tore
down the slope to the bay. There the waves
slapped the stern of shiny gray and red row.
boat.
I rented it for the remaining three weeks"
he explained as he put the hamper In the bow
and grasped the waiting oars. With deft, long
strokes he swept the boat across the bay. It
nosed up on the wet sand of the ocean front
in record time.
All that day they secured the shore for the
oceans toll, gathered shells that Mara trans
ported to her upturned homespun skirt, de-
voured the lunch and then lazed on their backs
to watch the low-sailing clouds skim out to sea-
do you see what see?" queried Cullen in
a wondering voice as he peered up the beach
Mara rose to rest on one elbow. following his
gaze. There, a few yards away, young girl
was striding along. The wind whipped her full
wet skirts from bare legs, and dried the ends
of faxen hair that had come loose from the
braids doubled over her head.
Hi, there!" sbrieked Mara, standing up and
waving her arms frantically. That's Sara"
she explained to Cullen. LENS girl"
Sara joined them and Mara stared at her
wrnging clothes. Where have you been?"
The girl showed white teeth in a full
throated laugh 1--WE been in the bay. Swan
artist, the laughing one.
But Sara d." began Mara, looking deep
ly into her friends eyes.
"Yes," returned the f1axen-haired girl, my
baby boy is only 10 days old. But got word
from Jim he'd meet me here and here I am"
She spread her hands in simple gesture Jim
doesn't know about the baby yet. His letter
was delayed four days because Old Tuly"-
Old Tully was the postmaster-"was afraid to
deliver it. Jim said he'd stay on the stretch
every afternoon till came, and II / didn't
show up after few days he'd come to the
cabin. You know how delighted I'd be to have
him come to the cabin and have Dad find
him" Dad YVES Lem. IT secured the beach
for boat, but every one must be using theirs
so up and jumped in Haven't seen Jim, have
you, Mara?"
1--WE haven't seen any one"
Cullen and Mara stood watching her till
she rounded bend In the dunes.
well" murmured Cullen, thinking Of Sara,
'that's love. Not the sort of procedure I'd ad-
wise but nevertheless, love"
Mara flushed. "I suppose you think don't
really love you"
Cullen patted her hand. you lack courage.
And heaven knows we need It,"
1T would be better If told Seth just what
we meant to each other?"
"Mara!" His eyes glowed. 'You aren't
spoofng me, are you?"
But Mara was already in the gray and red
rowboat. Cullen gave it happy push into
the waters of the bay. They whisked back.
Hardly waiting to moor it on the land-shore, he
took Maras hand and they hurried up the
slope slight wind had blown up from the
water and stirred the branches of the ever
green's. There came lull in the birds cries.
The clouds thinned out and a pale stream OF
light fell into the room of the cabin as Mara
pushed open the door.
Seth" No answer. Seth, you here?"
Mara peered up the narrow stairway. No
sound of creaking footsteps this time. The
battered door banged against the house.
4 AARA sank into musty wicker chair, her
iVl fngertips tapped its arms Now that
I've decided, I'll be jumpy till get it off my
chest"
Cullen laughed happily, pulled out crumpled
pack of cigarettes. You'll have company. I'm
nervous as a cat. myself. Mara dear, don't look
so solemn. He'll come numbering in any min
ute"
But Seth did not come numbering in that day
nor the next. Mara went to his shanty,
searched every crack and nook and all but
dragged the bogs and marshes. Nor did any Of
the villagers know where he had gone.
Dusk In grove of evergreens a mile
more from the bay young girl in black ban
dana and oilskns posed while an artist painted
her industriouSly.
I'm terribly worried" she told him.
please don't worry audibly while I'm trying
to get your mouth" he requested.
She twisted her fingers. Doesn't 1t mean
anything to you to have him disappear like
this Cullen?"
Does it not! I'd hardly pick this as Win
ter resort" He blew on his fingers and rubbed
out the upper curve Of her lip; then studying
her mouth ntently put it in again with deft
stroke.
Imagine his disappearing like this!" Her
face was narrowed.
"I don't have to imagine it, The things hap
pened" He wiped his brush on the cloth and
his hands on his trousers. There Marina
petita stretch your pretty limbs. That's all
for today"
She walked slowly to the edge of the grove
and watched the flames of the Fall sunset