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The slight flush of laughter faded from her face; the white fatigue came back; and she passed the back of one hand wearily across her brow, clearing it of the damp curls. "The deadly sultriness of these nights," she sighed. "I was no longer able to endure the heat under the eaves among my dusty husks. So lately I have stolen at night to the Spring Waiontha to bathe in the still, cold pools.
I had with me, as I say, a camp lantern which enabled me to make my way through the thicket to the Spring Waiontha. Not finding her there, I retraced my steps and crossed the charred and dreary clearing to the house of logs. No light burned within; doubtless this widow woman was far too poor to afford a light of any sort.
"No," I said between my teeth, and turned to leave her. And, I think, it was something in my face that made her whisper low and hurriedly: "Waiontha Spring! If you needs must see me for a moment more, come there!" I scarcely heard, so tight emotion had me by the throat, and walked on blindly, all a-quiver.
At the Spring Waiontha it almost seemed as though it could come true." "You know it has come true." "Do I?" "Do you not know it, little Lois?" "I seem to know it, somehow.... Tell me, Euan, does a true and deathless friendship with a man with you mean that I am to strip my heart of every secret, hiding nothing from you?" "Dare you do it, Lois?"
When you and I went to the Spring Waiontha, I needed not your lantern light to guide me." "I see not well by night," I admitted. "You do see well by night through my two eyes! Are we not one? How often must I repeat it that you and I are one! One! One!
They seemed ashamed, but told me, As I moved on, I said carelessly, partly turning: "Where is the Spring Waiontha?" "On the Lake Trail, sir first branch of the Stoney-Kill." "Is there a house there?" "Rannock's." "A path to find it?" "A sheep walk only. Rannock is dead. The destructives murdered him when they burned Cherry Valley. Mrs. Rannock brings us eggs and milk."
Yet, in my ears the strange wards sounded: "Waiontha Waiontha come to the Spring Waiontha if you needs must see me." On a settle before the green-log barrack, some of Schott's riflemen were idling, and now stood, seeing an officer. "Boys," I said, "where is this latest foolery of Tim Murphy hung to dry?"
When I came to the log house by the Spring Waiontha, lantern in hand and my packet tucked beneath my arm, it was twilight, and the starless skies threatened rain. Road and field and forest were foggy and silent; and I thought of the first time I had ever set eyes on Lois, in the late afternoon stillness which heralded a coming storm.
Rannock, but she sobbed in her sleep all night and I could not close my eyes, So I thought of the Spring Waiontha, and the next instant was on my way there, feeling the path with naked feet through the starlight, and dropped my clothing from me in the darkness and sank into the cool, sweet pool. Oh, it was heaven, Euan! I would you might come also."
This doubtless must be the outlet to Waiontha Spring, for there to the left a green lane had been bruised through the elder thicket; and this I followed, shouldering my way amid fragrant blossom and sun-hot foliage, then through an alder run, and suddenly out across a gravelly reach where water glimmered in a still and golden pool. Lois knelt there on the bank.
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