The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-06-29
CHAPTER V-Continued


back on Darkness and went soberly
home. She had much to think about
and was doing it with vengeance.
For one thing, why had the feel of
this mans arm across her breast, the
nearness of his face shot through her
with so strange fire?
Once before his arm had been about
her, dragging her from Darkness back,
his face had been close to hers, and
she had been filled with such unbear-
able rage and hate that she could have
killed him on the spot.
What was the matter with her?
Where was her character, her prin-
ciple, her condemnation of wrong?
For that he was wrong-all wrong
entirely-she had not the slightest
doubt. Why did he meet a sky-ship
here on this lonely desert? Why was
he afraid for her to be seen by it's oc-
cupants? What strange freight had
he taken from it and put so carefully
in his saddlebags?
There was something deep here, ter
ribly deep, and it had to do, she felt
sure, with the limited things Of the
Servants guarded speech-with that
mysterious Presence across the Bor-
der which ruled so bloodily.
And why, she asked herself again,
should all this weigh down her soul
Why should she, busy and happy in
her daily life, betrothed to another
man, care what this drunken wastrel
did? No, she corrected herself, notN
drunken now. He had said he could
not drink, and she believed him. And
why should she believe him?
Gravely, in a sort Of cold fear, she
searched her inner depths, and what
she dimly saw appalled, her.
It was his eyes, she told herself, the
look Of his eyes when he spoke Of
these things. They were deep eyes.
strange eyes, filed with a wild spirit,
and under this wildness, this old devil
may-care which had characterized
them, was something so desperate, SO
anxious, that Sonya would have staked
her life on its truth.
Frightened to her foundations, the
girl Strengthened In her saddle and
lifted Darkness into his stride. She
would get home to the sane and or
dered things Of every day, to Lila with
her calm assurance Of all good, to
Serge and little Babs. And she would
forget this man, forget his eyes and
his hands and the heady intoxication
of the scent of him. She would write
to Rod tonight, long, good letter.
She had neglected him a bit Of late.
The. next day Sonya went to town
to mail her letter. She felt very
virtuous and calm. All the strife and
unease of the day before had gone
from her. She had written dutifully
to Rod and told him all the trivial hap
penings of every day-that is, all but
those pertaining to the rider on the
golden horse. These were of too small
import, she told herself, wouldn't in
terest him. And besides, he wouldn't
understand. At the store Mr.. Parks
was urbanity itself, bustling about to
wait on her, smiling unctuously, rub
bling his fat hands together.
"Good morning." she told him Do
Iitely.
Its always good morning, Doctor
Sonya." he said richly, "when we see
you here. You don't get down too
often"
"No." said Sonya, 1--WE been pretty
busy of late"
"Um. 1t sure does beat me how
woman can be doctor. An doctor
In these parts has got to ride hard an
far, take little pay, an never be sure
of that. You goin' to the dance over
to tn Neidlingers next Sat'day night?
Bill Pingle from Big Town an two
others Is goin' to furnish tn music.
Accordion an two fiddles. Ought to
be good"
sounds good, surely"
"Think you folks'i git Overt"
"Why. yes" said sonya. Il shouldn't