The Place Beyond the Winds

o'clock in the afternoon Priscilla, from the kitchen door, saw Jerry-Jo paddling his canoe in still, Indian fashion around Lone Tree Island. Theodora was off erra

y design, a fluff of soft lace at throat and wrist, and, over it, the old red cape that years before had added to her appearance as

n him; he was not forgiven, but for the time he was, as a human being, forgotten. He was Jerry-Jo who was to paddle her to her Heart's Desire! That was it, and the old words, set to music of

lways roused the worst in Priscilla's nature. Jerry-

're going to have a bit of fun, and why n

the home question Glenn w

tle canoe had shot out into the Chan

were filled with the loveliness of her charming, defiant face set under the broad brim of a

door and impotently fumed as the canoe rounded Lon

the responsibility of the rebel on his hands. "I wouldn't be in your place,

e girl's face for a moment, and then she tol

near at hand. I cannot abide my father; nor can he find comfort in me. Why should I darken the lives of my parents

d her beauty, enhanced by her unusua

mean?" h

, a ticket on a steamer, and-pouf! Off the boys and men go to make their lives. Well, t

aused McAlpin t

et!" he murmure

afe place where I can-live! Oh! can you understand how all my life I have been smothered and stifled? I often wonder what sort I will be-out there! I'm willing to suffer while I learn, but Jerry-Jo"-and here the excited voice paused-"I have a strange

than anything else, assumed graver purpose. A new and ugly look grew in his bold eyes, a sinister smile on his red mouth,

touched the landing spot of Far H

; don't be long

aused and glanc

her. "I smell-thunder. Don't you think you better com

would be under shelter. I can turn the canoe over me and be dry as a mouse in a hayric

This was said idly and more to fill in

've just said. If you're bound for the devil, P

back, and started sturdily up the hill pa

hat he once was, he would make everything easy after she recalled herself to him. As for the mother, Priscilla had on

helped even more, for it resurrected most vividly the young

chimney. A fire had been made even on this hot day, but like enough it was to dry the place after the years of closed doors and windows. Evidently it was a many-houred fire, for th

r sound came in response, and presently

said, "and surely they will not object if

, vacant look, although a work-bag hung on the back of a chair by the roaring fire, and a blot of oil lay on the

ourage failed, but a second thought reconciled conditions w

orm burst! The darkness of the room and the wooded sp

Jerry-Jo, she knew, would crawl under his boat and b

wood and noticed that it was so wet that it sputtered dangerously. Presently the wind changed

as drenched by the time it was made secure. Breathing hard, she made her way to the fire and k

w momentarily. At first she imagined it was fear of what she must encounter upon her return home; then she felt sure it was her dread of meeting t

assed her lips. "Jerry-Jo, to be sure. My!

eringly toward the door. The gloom behi

le the wind and the slashing of sleety rain defied

e. But when Priscilla, trembling and panting, reached the door and pushed, she fou

tealthily tiptoed back to the warmth and light as if fearin

while Priscilla sat alone. As a matter of fact, it was after seven when steps, unmistakable steps

y the lashing storm, Jerry-Jo broke into the shadow and drew the heavy oak door after him. In a black panic of fear Priscilla saw

? God knows I'm drenched to the bone. The rain came up from the earth as well as down from the clouds. It's a devil's storm and no mistake. What you sta

steady the situation and Pr

had to wait. You are wet through and through, Jerry-Jo. It's good we have such a

the lamp!" Jerry-Jo exclaimed. He

hey went," Priscilla answered. "Se

ew brightness that reached even to the far corners and seemed

skily. "I always have a bite with me when I take

ich toward Priscilla and

n!" h

-Jo, and I want to sta

at her over hi

y before I set out again. This is an all-nigh

on't take long with this heat; then

rest returned, and she fi

, Priscilla? You was mighty keen to come, and you ain't finished your errand yet. What's a

mself between the girl and whatever her object was. Noticing this, a real terror seized upon Priscilla and she darted in the opposite direction, reached the hearth, and was bending t

hat ails you, Priscilla?" They

afraid

ime. With freedom Priscilla gained a bit of courage and a keen sense of the necessity of

Suspicion and anger shook the voice. The sl

ere they are! I d

even her tormentor could realize. Every nerve and emotion came to her defence. She would hold this creature at bay as hunters hold the wild things of the woods when gun or club

, then? W

do you

ne, you can win what otherwise you could not get?" It all

t enough, after to-night. Once you come I'll-I'l

ing caught the

ou? You'll blacken my name, bar my father's house

e marry you? You'll blacken my name, bar my father's hou

pped his bol

r you, Jerry-Jo.

his head and a fierce

a storm, you know. You better not drive me now!

fended, facing a hideous possibility, beyond which lay a black certainty of desolation, she r

k! Sit down! I have something to say to you-before--" She did not finish,

God!" he almost sho

he girl felt she could not bear. She smelled the odour of h

to-morrow-the next day-it does not matter. But the soul of me shall haunt you while you live

s if daring the fate she had it in her power to evoke, he rushed toward her and clasped her close in his stron

he who would have laughed, danced, and sang her way straight

moment, only a moment, lost the sense of reality. Presently words that M

come whining to me. I ain't going to hurt you! I want you as you are when

the fire, the sickening smell of drying wool,

r in order to give a poor wild thing a chance of escape-you bring me here with a l

at she staggered to a chair, fearing that McAlpin

rds had caught his fancy. "You have your

k face

don't care what they of Kenmore will say, I'll know you are-what you are, and sympathy will be with me, gal, when I tak

out desperate

McAlpin knows how to love.

hing that did more to unnerve the girl than anything that had gone before. As the heavy oak door slammed after the retreating figure, the jar caused the tall clock, back among the s

old, trembling fingers, and turned it in the lock. Then, sinking upon her knees, she crept back to the fir