When she had arrived nearly
opposite Orde she turned abruptly inland, and a moment later began
laboriously to climb the steep sand.
The process seemed to amuse her. She turned her head sidewise to
watch with interest the hurrying, tumbling little cascades that slid
from her every step. From time to time she would raise her skirts
daintily with the tips of her fingers, and lean far over in order to
observe with interest how her feet sank to the ankles, and how the
sand rushed from either side to fill in the depressions. The wind
carried up to Orde low, joyous chuckles of delight, like those of a
happy child.
As though directed by some unseen guide, her course veered more and
more until it led directly to the spot where Orde stood. When she
was within ten feet of him she at last raised her head so the young
man could see something besides the top of her hat. Orde looked
plump into her eyes.
"Hullo!" she said cheerfully and unsurprised, and sank down cross-
legged at his feet.
Orde stood quite motionless, overcome by astonishment. Her face,
its long oval framed in the bands of the gray veil and the down-
turned brim of the hat, looked up smiling into his. The fresh air
had deepened the colour beneath her skin and had blown loose stray
locks of the fine shadow-filled hair.
Pages:
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158