At the Time Appointed - Page 219/224

As he came within sight of the familiar ranges his thoughts reverted

again and again to Kate Underwood. His whole soul seemed to cry out for

her with a sudden, insatiable longing. His mail had of necessity been

irregular and infrequent; their letters had somehow miscarried, and he

had not heard directly from her for months. Her last letter was from

Germany; she was then still engrossed in her music, but her father's

health was greatly improved and he was beginning to talk of home. His

father's latest letter had stated that the Underwoods would probably

return early in July. And this was June! Darrell felt a twinge of

disappointment. He was now able to remember many incidents in their

acquaintance. He recalled their first meeting at The Pines on that June

day five years ago. How beautiful the old place must look now! But

without Kate's presence the charm would be lost for him. He regretted he

had started homeward quite so soon; the time would not have seemed so

long among the mining camps of the great Northwest as here, where

everything reminded him of her.

The stopping of the train at a health resort far up among the mountains,

a few miles from Ophir, roused Darrell from his revery. With a sigh he

recalled his wandering thoughts and left the car for a walk up and down

the platform. The town, perched saucily on the slopes of a heavily

timbered mountain, looked very attractive in the gathering twilight.

Though early in the season, the hotel and sanitarium seemed well filled,

while numerous pleasure-seekers were promenading the walks leading to

and from the springs which gave the place its popularity.

Darrell felt a sudden, unaccountable desire to remain. Without waiting

to analyze the impulse, as inexplicable as it was irresistible, which

actuated him, he hastened into the sleeper and secured his grip and top

coat. As the train pulled out he stepped into the station and sent a

message to his father at Ophir, stating that he had decided to remain

over a day or two at the Springs and asking him to look after his

baggage on its arrival. He then took a carriage for the hotel. It was

not without some compunctions of conscience that Darrell wired his

father of his decision, and even as he rode swiftly along the winding

streets he wondered what strange fancy possessed him that he should stop

among strangers instead of continuing his journey home. To his father it

would certainly seem unaccountable, as it did now to himself.

Mr. Britton, however, on receiving his son's message, could not restrain

a smile, for only the preceding day he had received a telegram from Kate

Underwood, at the same place, in which she stated that they had started

home earlier than at first intended, and as her father was somewhat

fatigued by their long journey, they had decided to stop for two or

three days' rest at the Springs.