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Show M VjhQ J By Richard H. Wilkinson ' T IFE began for Lionel Ainsley , when he met Cynthia Trumble. She was the fulfillment of dreams that were dreamed while he sat alone by his camp fire in the wilderness, wil-derness, while he listened to the I hoots of owls and 3- Minute 1 h e screeches of . bobcats, and won- FlCIIOn dered if the time ' ' would ever come when somebody sat with him by the fire and listened to the night sounds that had been his only companions -cir.ee graduation from the state school of forestry two years ago. He. met Cynthia when he came out of the bush one June for a short vacation. They were married the day he was due to start back' into the woods. The first week was deliciously sweet. Cynthia had been a country girl, and because Lionel was her first real love, she eagerly looked forward to spending weeks alone with him in the wilderness. That was before they reached Woodsville, where Lionel had his base. There was a big packing company com-pany at Woodsville, run by a man ; named Benton, who had a son named Austin. Fresh from college , young. Austin had come to Woodsville Woods-ville to learn the packing business. Quite naturally the place was duli and boring to one so sophisticated. Then Lionel and his new wife arrived, and Austin looked on Cynthia and vowed to know her better. Austin had that polish about him that attracts women. So when Lionel finally headed his canoe toward Woodsville to replenish replen-ish their supplies, Cynthia's pulse quickened a little, and she kept her "- eyes fastened on the bend in the llmrf- river that would first reveal the great buildings of the packing bouse. '. What followed made Cynthia a little ashamed. She hated to hurt Lionel, he was so fine and generous and kind. And so devoted. She thought he'd object to a divorce, and it was a little disappointing when he agreed readily. AND SO Lionel went back into the wilderness shortly after the divorce di-vorce was granted, and Cynthia, free and exultant, waited for Austin to come to her. He came at last and stood near where she lay in a hammock. It . was night and she could not see his face. "Cynthia, darling, wiy did you do . it? I feel like a cad, breaking up you and Lionel like that. He's a good sort and well, I meant noth-- noth-- ing by my attentions. It was all-well, all-well, sort of fun." "But, darling, you do love me? You do want to marry me?" Mis- givings chilled her heart. i Austin ran a finger under his collar. "Well, you see, Cynthia Cyn-thia you see, I can't, that is I'm already married!" Cynthia nearly swooned. When she again opened her eyes Austin was gone. She was alone.. Panic gripped her, then fear. Later she thought of Lionel. She'd not known how to appreciate him. She'd wait. He'd be out of the bush again in three weeks. He'd understand. It was almost unbearable, that waiting. The people of Woodsville ; looked at her curiously and whispered whis-pered among themselves. Three Lionel gestured toward the girl. "Cynthia, meet the new Mrs. Ainsley," he said. weeks passed and Lionel didn't return. re-turn. Another week dragged by and still no sign ot him. Then, at last, Lionel came back. Cynthia, watching from the veranda ver-anda of her rooming house, saw his canoe sweep into sight, and her heart leaped. Lionel at last! Lionel, whom she'd loved and would love again. Lionel who had loved her so ytP"y ) tenderly. Love like his didn't die. She had treated him miserably, but she'd admit all that, ask his forgiveness. for-giveness. And then the canoe neared the shore and Cynthia went down to meet it. Lionel saw her, and waved a greeting. Cynthia's heart stopped beating. There was someone else in the canoe. A girl. The canoe touched the shore. Lionel grinried at her happily. "Cynthia, it's good to see you again. Hope you and Austin are happy." He gestured toward the girl, who had turned to slare. Cynthia, meet the new Mrs. Ainsley." |