the noon sun
* * * * * Before noon Sylvie and Pete moved slowly across the open space and went back along their forest trail . They walked like lovers , and Sylvie 's arm helped to support him . Just before he stepped in among the trees he turned for a long , desolate , backward look . Now the hoop of green , once white as paper under the noon sun , and the level , circular rim of the forest are empty and silent except for the rattling of the river and the moving of the pines against the fixed , grave stars . The human tragedy -- or was it comedy ? -- has burnt itself out like the embers of a camp-fire that will never again be kindled in that lonely spot . THE END