The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1940-07-25

his hand, pressed it against her
cheek. I'm part of you"
Darkness lay over the landing He
stepped out and fastened the tie
rope. Bending, he took her hands to
pull her up to the planking beside
him. His arms went around her,
held her there close against his
breast.
II can't let you CO."
Lets stay here"
"Oh, Gay, if we could"
"It's going to be all right. Moth
ing can spoil it, except ourselves.
We must be very careful"
You're so lovely. I can't think
when I'm with you like this. What
you say-That's not very fiattering.
I meant, / just hear your voice.
I've loved you SO long, SO hope
lessly-"
''Not hopelessly now."
ST can't believe it."
We'll go in and tell Kate" Her
voice was gay and confident. "That
will help you to believe"
'I'm afraid of Kate. I'm afraid
to go in"
''Silly. I'll hold your hand tight
ly. Like this"
They walked, hands joined, up the
path from the landing to the cabin.
AS he opened the porch door for
her, she halted.
Someone is herel" She dropped
his hand.
The windows were raised. Through
the screening came a murmur of
voices inside the cabin. Gay took a
few steps away from him, glanced
in, then turned. In the light flood
ing through the window he saw that
her face was grave and startled.
"Who--" The question caught in
his throat. He took a step.
Todd is here" she said and was
silent.
He caught her arm, drew her close
to him.
Gay" he asked, "you're all
miner"
Her face relaxed. She smiled up
at him.
"An yours" she said.
Gay took a cigarette from box
on the table. Todd, seated in
chair beside the hearth, snapped
lighter. John, standing. half leaning
against the chimney, struck match
poth ~, oIo N ~, oxyoy,,ont fouyo ri hor
THANK you, but never mind" Her
bright strained glance went from
one to the other. She rose from
the couch. "I'n do it my way. They
taste better" She held the cigarette
over the lamp chimney until its tip
glowed red. "Do you remember,
Todd? I learned that trick at Tory
Wales camp, the weekend we were
there and a storm cut off the elec-
tricity."
"Tory knows plenty of tricks"
Todd sat back in his chair. by
the way. she's going to marry her
Englishman."
do you hunt here?" Todd asked
John, breaking a lengthening si-
lence.
mot often, now," John replied
civilly. II used to when I was in
school. That head there on the wall
was my first trophy"
"It's a good one" Todd rose,
walked across the room to examine
the deer head on the wall. John
Joined him. They talked Of hunt
ing, diffidently at first and then with
increasing interest.
Yes, Todd was attractive. He
wore his well-cut clothes with non
chalant air and his manner, even
in this difficult situation, was poised,
considerate, assured. In compari-
son John seemed a little clumsy,
diffident, insure. What was it in
him that aroused more devastat-
ing emotion than, in all the years of
knowing him, she had ever felt for
Todd? Her eyes moved along the
back of his leather jacket to his
crisp dark hair. One lock, blatant
ly waving, stood erect at the crown
of his head. Looking at it her brief
resentment melted and in the emo
ton which swept through her fur
ther comparison was impossible.
John she called silently, John!
He turned as though she had spo-
ken his name aloud. His expression
softened. His mouth quivered. His
thin dark face frightened at what
ever it was he read in her eyes.
Their long glance asked and an
swered before he turned again to
Todd.
''If you'll excuse me-" he said
very courteously, 'I'l go out and
get in some wood"
"Can I help your" Todd asked.
mo, thank you" John picked up
the wood-basket and went out of
the room.
Silence followed. Gay tossed her
cigarette into the fire. Todd walked
to the hearth, stood looking at Gay
through the lamplight. Her eyes
rested on her hands, clasped tightly
in her lap.
'It's pleasant here" he said, pres
emily.
Eyes, isn't it,"
''Have you rested?"
"Oh, yes"
"You look very we'll"
'I'm feeling" She glanced up at
him. Todd" she said and was
silent.
II know all about it, Gay" he said
steadily. you love him. You want
to he free ree ;.