The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-06-04
XIX.

| Duncans after the recording of the
mortgage. He argued that it would be
better on all accounts if he should drop
quietly out of the small melodrama
in which he had at the first figured
only as supernumerary. The resolu-
tion hung in the balance while he wait
ed at the courthouse for Thorndyle,
and it was the thought that he still
owed Elsie some indefinite debt of pol
ogy and explanation that finally turned
the scale in the direction of Philips urg-
ings. On the way up the valley he tried
to reconstruct his dismembered ideal.
to the end that he might be able to wit
ness Philips triumph with some out
ward show of equanimity; and when
they reached the farmhouse he found
this easier than he had anticipated.
| While Thorndyke was deservedly
the hero of the day, the re-
joicing in the Duncan household was
sincere enough to be infectious; and
before he knew it, Protheroe was ex-
tolling Philips courage and persever-
ancc quite as honestly as any of the
others.
Whsn the excitement had little SUBJ
sided, Philip asked how Kilgrow could
best be reached. Duncan wanted to
climb the mountain himself, but his
wife objected.
''It'll just be flynn in the face O. Prov
idence, wiz your rheumatics, jamie
and that'll no do, whatever" she said:
and when Protheroe offered to go, Il
fresh difficulty arose.
"1e wouldna find auld Johnnie in IL
month O. Sundays, Robbie, lad. Dinna
We ken he's hid ava frae Sharpless all
his gang?"
Then Elsie came to the rescue, and
Duncan demurred again. "I'm no that
free to lat ye go, bairnie; the Lord
on'y knows how many O. Sharpless' cut
throats we might be fallin' in wiz"
All of which pointed to an obvious
conclusion. Before Protheroe could
finally determine whether to be glad or
sorry, he found himself helping Elsie
up the path on Johns Isa untain. With
the unlimited opportunity for free
speech his confession stuck fast in his
throat. AT first Elsie was too joyous;
no man in his sober senses could plead
his cause before o judge whose ebul-
lent happiness overfowed all the ap.
proaches to seriousness. And after
ward, when his taciturnity had damp
ened Elsie's enthusiasm, the difficulties
were increased rather than diminished.
After time they stood together upon
the brink of the Pocket, and Protheroc
realized that it was then or never; in
few minutes they would be with the
old mountaineer.
"Wait a minute, please" he said, as
Elsie was about to lead the way to the
path down the cliff.
She stopped obediently, and the fear
that delay would bring more irresolu-
tion made him go on quickly: II want
to tell you how sorry 1 am for what
did the other day; I know it was mex
cusable, but have done what could
to atone for it,"
She was standing at the verge of the
cliff, clinging to small tree growing
out of a crevice in the rock, and looking
down into the pillows of foliage be-
| low.
| What have you done?" she asked.
1T isn't much, know; but 1 kept
my promise-I brought him back to
| YOU"
"Mr. Thorndyke, you mean?"
"Yes."
"I'm sure I'm much obliged; it was
nwfully good of you"
She turned still farther from him.
and he made an involuntary step to-
ward her when she leaned over the edge
! of the rock. Then he saw that she was
shaking with suppressed laughter, and
penitence very nearly became wrath.
"Why are you laughing at me?" he
demanded.
Because you're so ridiculous" she
retorted, facing him suddenly. what
makes you talk as if Mr.. Thorndyke be-
longed to me? What right have you to
think that he is anything more than
friend of my fathers, like-like your
self? How do you know that he isn't
engaged to the young lady in New York
who writes to him every week?"
| Protheroe made praiseworthy at
tempt to be coherent, but it ended
rather tamely. "Then you-then |
have been mistaken all along in think
ing-Elsie, please come away from that
cliff and tell me you forgive me-"
81 won't-not till you catch me-"
And, with a mooking laugh in which
there was more joy than derision, she
slipped over the edge of the rock and
was nearly out of sight in the path be-
low before Protheroe gathered enough
presence of mind to accept her chal-
Ienge. The chase was short and vigor
GUS. and when it was ended the process
OF forgiveness appeared to be some
what abstruse and complicated, iudg.
| ing from the time wnlcn elapseu perore
the young man and the maiden present
ed themselves in the cave of the noun
taineer.
| Kilgrow took the news of his good
fortune with serene complacency
born Of a happy ignorance of money
values.
"Thess SOS t they-all IL lemme alone,
is all keer," he said, and they had some
trouble in making him understand that
his presence was needed at the farm
house. Loving and trusting Elsie, he
went willingly when he understood
what was wanted of him; and on the
way back to the valley he was mindful
enough of his own long-buried youth
10 keep well out of earshot of the two
young people, to whom the return jour
uey was only too short.
| The afternoon sun was shining slant