She knew but little of American conventions and that little told her that the ceremonies were easy of accomplishment. Young people were always eloping. . . . The consent of guardians was not necessary. . . . How terrible, if they imagined her gone on a romantic elopement, to have her return, mud plastered, after a night with a young man upon the mountain!
A night upon the mountain with a young man . . . a young man in love with her.
She felt as if they were in the grip of a nightmare.
They must hurry, hurry. Somehow they must gain upon that night, they must return to the Lodge before it was too late.
A cold sprinkle of rain fell, plastering her middy shiveringly to her, but the rain soon stopped and the path grew clearer and more and more defined as they stumbled along it to its end.
It was not a house they found. It was not really a cabin. It was just three walls of logs built against the rocky face of the mountain.
But it was a hut, a shelter, with a door that swung open on leather hinges at Johnny's tug.
He called, then peered within. Finally he struck a match and stared about and Maria Angelina came to look, too. The place was so tiny that a bed of boughs and blankets on the floor covered most of the space, save for a few boxes. Outside the doors were the ashes of old fires.
"Well, it's _something_," said Johnny in glum resignation. "Hasn't the fool that built it any food?"
Vigorously he poked about the tiny place, then emerged to report in disgust, "Not a darn thing. . . . Oh, well, it's a shelter, anyway."
The incredible idea pierced Maria Angelina that he was going to pause there for rest.
"Go on?" He turned to stare in indignation at the girl who had gasped that at him. "Go on? In this dark? When it's going to rain? Why, you're nearly all in, now."
"Indeed--indeed, I am not all in," she protested. "It is not necessary for me to rest--not necessary at all. I am quite strong. I want only to go on--to go to the Lodge----"
"We'll never make the Lodge to-night. We'll have to camp here the best way we can."
It seemed to her that she could hardly have heard him. It was so incredible a thought--so overwhelming----
A queer gulping sound came from her throat. Her words fell without her volition, like spent breaths.