Page:Conflict (1927).pdf/46

 day night,' Nevin went on now, 'I might see if you got home safely myself.'

'Might you?' she laughed, and turned away.

Not for anything in the world would Sheilah allow circumstances at this late date to rob her of what was waiting for her out there beyond the church door. She had tried to escape it when she had been several hours away from it. But it was too late now. Like drawing away from water when your lips are on the edge of the glass, and you are very thirsty. Poisonous water, too, perhaps.

Sheilah never knew at what corner, or from behind what shadow, Felix would appear. Sometimes she would be within only a few blocks of home before he joined her. To-night it was not until she had reached the hedge in front of the house that she saw the familiar outline of the shadow that made her heart jump so. They met at the wooden gate set in the opening of the hedge opposite the front door. The hedge was high and dense and covered with snow now. They stood hidden in the dark black shadow of it, close together.

'Hello,' murmured Felix, eyes downcast as if ashamed at being discovered.

'Hello.'

'I thought you weren't coming.'