Sue began at once to tug at the chest of drawers by

the bed. She was not particularly in a hurry to unpack, but the idea of snooping in drawers left by another smacked of intrigue and adventuro.

"What're you looking for?" It was a que sti on Fran knew she need not have asked.

"Who knows?" Suo said, of the se days stumble on

"with preseverance I may one

"I know, " said Fran, a smile edging her voice, "stumble on something that will stagger the imaginati on.

"Now you're funning me." Sue said, using the Midwestern colloquialism to conceal her disappointment in Fran's lack of zeal.

They hiked though the morning, not conscious of sloopiness, until at high noon they collapsed on the bed, smelling the strango but clean odor of ronted sheets. The cabin was stifling. Fran slipped the windows opon with a jerk and a tug●

After dinner in the cafeteria that night they had a beer and joined other vacationers at the campfire for song.

"Whow, this altitude's got me beat,""Sue said when they turned in, "I feel all unsprung."

Fran carried a massive enamelled pitcher filled with spring water. "Glad I brought that bottle of bourbon with us." No alcoholic beverage was sold on the top of the "hill".

They sat side saddle on their cabin porch rail and listened to the shuffling sounds of invisible animals among the trees across the road. "Everything tingles with silence," Fran said, scarcely moving her lips, "it seems to reach way out somewhere, past where we can see; it has the depth of a perfect blue sky that goes way beyond itself."

The trees swayed like a visible hum and Sue said: "Make s me tingle too, Fran. And here with you in all this ..." she paused, seeking the word, "this splendor, I feel like

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