XVI

           THErainheldoff,andanhourlater,whenshestarted,wildgleamsofsunlightwereblowingacrossthefields.

           AfterHarney’sdepartureshehadreturnedherbicycletoitsowneratCreston,andshewasnotsureofbeingabletowalkallthewaytotheMountain.Thedesertedhousewasontheroad;buttheideaofspendingthenighttherewasunendurable,andshemeanttotrytopushontoHamblin,whereshecouldsleepunderawood-shedifherstrengthshouldfailher.Herpreparationshadbeenmadewithquietforethought.Beforestartingshehadforcedherselftoswallowaglassofmilkandeatapieceofbread;andshehadputinhercanvassatchelalittlepacketofthechocolatethatHarneyalwayscarriedinhisbicyclebag.Shewantedabovealltokeepupherstrength,andreachherdestinationwithoutattractingnotice....

           Milebymilesheretracedtheroadoverwhichshehadsooftenflowntoherlover.Whenshereachedtheturnwherethewood-roadbranchedofffromtheCrestonhighwaysherememberedtheGospeltent—longsincefoldedupandtransplanted—andherstartofinvoluntaryterrorwhenthefatevangelisthadsaid:“YourSaviourknowseverything.Comeandconfessyourguilt.”Therewasnosenseofguiltinhernow,butonlyadesperatedesiretodefendhersecretfromirreverenteyes,andbeginlifeagainamongpeopletowhomtheharshcodeofthevillagewasunknown.Theimpulsedidnotshapeitselfinthought:sheonlyknewshemustsaveherbaby,andhideherselfwithitsomewherewherenoonewouldevercometotroublethem.

           Shewalkedonandon,growingmoreheavy-footedasthedayadvanced.