Show two keys to a cabin cab i 0 n I 1 I 1 B Y L I 1 D A L A R R 0 MACRAE I 1 SMITH M CO 0 tp R SERVICE i E J THE STORY THUS FAR charming arming Cli wealthy gabriella Gabr lella gay tor for short graham engaged to todd janeway returns to a cabin in the maine woods accompanied by a friend kate oliver the idea of a stay at the cabin occurred to her when she received a key to it following the death ot of her godfather ther uncle john lawrence the two girls notice that someone is living in the cabin kate suspects suspect that gay knows the identity of the mysterious occupant the mystery man returns he is john II a young doctor whom gay had known in previous years immediately aggressive gay asks him by what right he is in the cabin his right she finds is greater trian her own lie he too possesses a key but more than that is heir to it from his uncle john gays godfather gay cay is high handed with him and he states courteously that he will leave looking at him in the doorway her old feelings ie feelings elings return she knows that he Is more necessary to lier her than Is todd janeway the man she is to marry gay asks john to reconsider his decision to leave the next morning brings a different feeling and john decides to remain for his vacation one more week the night before gay and kate are to return home to new york john gets an urgent request to call at a nearby farm gay accompanies him while he cares for the patient CHAPTER IV continued 7 you should have gone back john Johr said as lie he slipped in behind the wheel they would have taken me or I 1 could have stayed here all night do you realize that its nearly three he released the brake and the car moved out into the road what do you suppose kate is think ing the worst probably gay moved closer to him in the narrow se seat at what is it a boy or a girl A boy she was unconscious of having moved toward him he thought wonderful to have her here very close to him wearing his sweater waiting for him to ride back to the cabin not real of course a piece of a dream a part of the strange intimacy of this night they had spent together 1 I heard it her voice was hushed it sounded like a furious kitten id like to have seen it ive never seen one so small they improve with age he had a close shave shava its the first one and there were complications id have given my soul for hospital equipment that he broke off abruptly then added with brusqueness induced by embarrassment and the fear that his enthusiasm might bore her 1 I have let you in for this I 1 know it was a baby why you take the car back to the cabin hours ago 1 I have missed it she said still in that hushed and wondering voice nothing as real as this ever happened to me I 1 should think that doing what you did tonight would make you feel like god good lord he said trying to conceal the pride and pleasure her comment gave him 1 I do anything she have done for herself made it a little easier possibly theres too much sentimentalizing tal izing over doctors he concluded severely oh john dont she cried with soft vehemence dont be ashamed of enthusiasm 1 im not actually he admitted moved by the sincerity of her voice only youre always so controlled and detached youve made me leel feel that enthusiasm is naive 1 I knowl know I 1 hate it she cried were all that way my friends I 1 mean we think its smart to be bored and disillusioned we avoid any display of emotion as we would avoid a plague even todd and I 1 she paused the roadster dipped down into a hollow where fog moved before the headlights head lights in wraithlike wraith like shapes john felt his hands trembling on the wheel dont talk about it you I 1 mean theres nothing youre obliged to explain but I 1 want to she said earnestly 1 I could have gone away letting you think what you pleased of me but someone else is involved this yesterday morning when I 1 pulled my act on the float I 1 must have given you a very unfair impression of todd im not being forced into this marriage john gave a short laugh 1 I could scarcely have that impression he said none of the things you probably think are true she went on we merely drift into an engagement it propinquity or the fact that both families hoped and expected that we would marry I 1 suppose that would have put us off each other if anything were neither of us lambs which could be led to a sacrifice without a good deal of bleating presently she continued 1 I like todd better than anyone ive ever known she said as though she were explaining the situation to herself as well as to him we enjoy being together we think the same things are amusing or sad or exciting 1 I should think that would be an excellent foundation for marriage john said as she paused but it enough its all too what were the words you used controlled and detached we hold things too lightly mounting passion flamed in her voice todd have let me come here she said let you oh I 1 know she gave a low rueful laugh he have pre vented my coming but if id cared enough for him I 1 have needed to come if hed cared enough for me he would have tried to keep me there with him if she broke off and added 1 I meant to correct the unfair impression of todd id given you im not doing a very good job he ignored that why did you come gay he asked ive wanted to tell you her voice was quiet now very thoughtful wholly sincere ive been afraid to try it seem reasonable even to me I 1 had no idea that you would be here 1 I know that john was unconscious of the fact that he had slackened the speed of the car with his eyes still fixed on the road ahead he waited for her to continue im not afraid now she went on after an interval of silence tonight while I 1 was waiting for you I 1 thought of uncle john yes he said bending toward her do you suppose that when you are dying she asked simply like a child puzzling over a mystery beyond its comprehension that some especial wisdom is given to you her phrasing of a thought hed had startled him with its similarity he remained silent his weariness gone every nerve in his body suddenly tense and alert 1 I thought of that tonight she went on without waiting for a reply to her question while you were bringing that baby into the world when realities touch you pride seems unimportant im not afraid to tell you now I 1 wanted to come back to the cabin because id felt intensely here id been both happy and unhappy and not ashamed of either no hidden emotion beneath mockery for fear id be thought sentimental ti and naive but you were so young then gay john drew in at the side of the road and stopped the motor and have you succeeded 1 I was disappointed the night kate and I 1 arrived I 1 realized how foolish id been the cabin was as I 1 remembered it but I 1 had no feeling about it until her voice which had been composed trembled to a faltering stop she glanced up at him and he saw in the light from the dashboard the tears on her lashes the uncertain half smile on her lips the melted stars in her eyes his arms went around her drew her close gay he said darling I 1 love you its a relief to say it im not afraid either oh gay she turned so that her cheek touched his her arm went up around his neck john she cried softly oh I 1 was afraid it happen I 1 was afraid id go away without having really been with you or that you would were both so stubborn and proud and ridiculous she laughed half sobbing john 1 I have gone while you were here he whispered against her cheek her arm tightened her hand moved in gentleness from his temple down along the thin line of his jaw 1 I have either it was always you it was because you had been there that I 1 had to come back I 1 loved you awfully that summer and have always since I 1 thought just being here but it i have been any good the night kate and I 1 came the cabin was just as I 1 had remembered it but I 1 had no feeling about it until I 1 found your sweater this sweater and knew it was you who was there that old sweater it was new the summer you were here you remembered V 1 I remembered everything how you had your hair cut short so it wave your hands I 1 could have drawn them from memory your crooked smile that disapproves of me the way you walk all the things that make you you oh gay you make me I 1 cant say his love for her so long held in check broke through the restraints stra ints he had set logic and common sense were lost in a rushing flood of tenderness passion relief they had this time together now tonight the past was blotted out and the future obscure they were together on the small secure island of the present ive wanted you so he said in shaken phrases 1 I ive ve ached to hold you like this CHAPTER V kate roused opened her eyes blinked at the light coming in in through the window beside her bed she had forgotten to draw the shade when she had retired she thought she had forgotten to undress too apparently since she seemed to be fully clothed that was a little careless to say the least she stretched under the blankets blinked again and remembered her eyes wide awake now flew to gays bed at the opposite end of the room the counterpane was vas drawn smoothly over the pillows and gays white wool robe lay flung across it as it had lain since yesterday afternoon kate glanced at her watch nearly half past seven she threw back the blankets sprang ang from the bed stood listening she glanced in the mirror above the low chest of drawers her face colorless from anxiety and fatigue glared back at her in the morning light what a fright she looked not that it mattered she was glad shed done what she had shed youve made me feel that enthusiasm thusia sm is naive wondered last night how she would feel aboud about that this morning gay would be furious let her there were limits to patience and tolerance and being a good sport last night at least she let her sympathies run away with her common sense how treacherous sympathies were kate brushing her long sand sandy y hair felt hers stir beneath anxiety and exasperation as she thought of gay and john they were so ob obviously v bously in love with each other ro romantically in love which was more dangerous than a mere physical attraction not that he physically attractive he had charm and good breeding his characteristic gravity lit by flashes of humor was appealing he was sensitive but gay dominate him which for her must be unique and intriguing in that quality call it strength of character or stubbornness as you please lay she supposed his strong attraction what was that kate dropped her brush on the top of the chest they were here they were laughing together somewhere close at hand her first reaction was a light head ed sense of relief she opened the bedroom door into the main portion of the cabin the sound of laughter reached her more clearly she smelled bacon frying and toast and coffee relief sharpened into indignation they were laughing were they having havin 9 breakfast while she worried kates back stiffened As she walked through the living room she glanced at the telephone against the wall she was glad she had done it she told herself steeling her sympathies resentfully forcing from her mind an unjustified feeling of guilt but she so sure she was glad when she came to the doorway of the kitchen sympathy for a sentimental moment took precedence over indignation and anxiety they had built a roaring fire in the wood range and were cooking breakfast together gay wearing his sweater too large for her the sleeves rolled back to free her hands was toasting asting to bread john standing beside her turned bacon in the skillet skille t steam rose from the coffeepot coffee pot curled in a wreath above their heads sunlight streaming in through the two cast windows lay over them a promise a seal of approval a benediction they were not aware of kate standing in the doorway their faces bent over their separate tasks were absorbed and smiling As she watched their glances lifted and met they broke into soft laughter though no word was exchanged leaning toward her his lips brushed across her hair the light caress significant of a new relationship banished sympathy and sentiment kate stiffened well she said crisply for two people dhove been out all night we expect to be so long gay interrupted john had a bab baby Y it took all night what kates hands grasped the sides of the doorway A mrs whittaker had a baby john said 1 I merely assisted kate drew a steadying breath and what did you do she asked gay 1 I waited for john outside in the car im surprised you assist 11 1 I wanted to john let me kate felt her lips twitching in spite of the very real dismay that weighted her spirits im glad he had that much sense she said you have telephoned I 1 suppose there a phone 1 I am sorry kate john roused from the trancelike trance like state so alarming to kate you must have been frantic I 1 tried to send gay back but you know how she is just a spoiled brat gay glanced up at him smiling the toast is burning kate said heavens yes gay snatched the rack up from the stove cant you keep your mind on your work john took the rack from her their hands touched reluctantly luct antly parted gay gave a laughing cry cant you the bacon is burned to a crisp good lord the rueful smile widened into his engaging grin will you cook this breakfast kate ill have to I 1 suppose she said grumpily if im to have anything fit to eat she took the skillet from johns unresisting hand and marched to the sink after youve had breakfast better get some sleep we cant start for new york today A sudden hush fell upon the room kate could not see their faces she was scraping burned bits of b bacon a con from the skillet into the sink the northfield garage cope with the generator she went on 1 I left the car there and that boy with the teeth brought me back here last night they kindly offered to take the car in to machias today that means I 1 suppose that it wont be ready before night ill be glad to get back to civilization again where it take fore forever ver to get something done she turned wheres the rest of the bacon or have you TO BE CONTINUED |