St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-02-11
BLACK ROCK.
rContinued from Feb. Al


allah, love is not ALL Oh, | am glad
and proud!'
"Gladw l gasped, amazed
"You would not have him prove
faithless!' she said, with proud de-
fiance.
ooh, it is high sentimental nom
sense! l could not help saying.
"You should not say So" she REPLIED
and her voice rang clear. Honor
faith and duty are sentiments, but
they are not nonsense"
In spite of my rage l was iost III
amazed admiration Of the high splrlt
| of the woman who stood up so straight
before me, but as | told how worn
| and broken he was she listened WIN
| changing color and swelling bosom,
her proud courage all gone and only
| love, anxious and plying, in her eyes.
"ShaIl 60 to him?" she asked, with
timid eagerness and deepening color.
"He is sleeping. He said he would
come to YOU" l replied.
81 shall wait for him." she said soft
| ly, and the tenderness in her tone went
straight to my heart, and it seemed to
me man might suffer much to be
loved with love such as this.
In the early afternoon Graeme came
to her. She met him with both hands
outstretched, saying in low voice:
81 am very happy"
"Are you sure?" he asked anxiously.
"Oh, yes" she said, but her voice
was like a sob, "quite, quite sure"
They talked long together till saw
that Craig must soon be coming, and
called Graeme away. He held her
hands, looking steadily into her eyes,
and said:
'You are better even than thought.
| I'm going to be better man."
Her eyes filled with tears, but her
smile did not fade as she answered:
"Yes, you will be a good man, and
| God will give you work to do"
| He bent his head over her hands and
stepped back from her as from a
queen, but he spoke no word till we
came to Craig's door. Then he said.
with humility that seemed strange in
him:
"Connor, that is great-to conquer
oneself. 1t is worth while. l am go.
| Ing to try"
/ would not have missed his meeting
with Craig. Nelson was busy with tea.
| Craig was writing near the window.
He looked up as Graeme came in and
nodded an easy good evening, but
Graeme strobe to him and, putting one
hand on his shoulder, held out his 9th
er for Craig to take.
After a moments surprise Craig rose
to his feet and, facing him squarely
took the offered hand in both of his
and held it fast without word
Graeme was the first to speak, and his
voice was deep with emotion.
"You are great man, a good man
I'd give something to have your grit"
Poor Craig stood looking at him, moi
daring to speak for some moments
Then he said quietly:
"Not good or great, but, thank God
not quite a traitor"
"Good man. went on Graeme, pat
ting him on the shoulder Good man
But it's tough"
Craig sat down quickly, saying
Don't do that, old chap"
| went up with Craig to Mrs. Ma
vors door. She did not hear us com
ing, but stood near the window gain!
up at the mountains. She was dressed
in some rich soft stuff and wore at he
breast a bunch of wild flowers l hat
never seen her so beautiful. l did no
wonder that Craig paused with hi
foot upon the threshold to look at her
She turned and saw us. With a glao
cry, "Oh, my darling, you have com
to me"' she came with outstretchet
arms. l turned and fled, but the CT,
and the vision were long with me.
1t was decided that night that Mrs
Mavor should go the next week. /
miner and his wife were going east
and |, too, would join the party.
The camp went into mourning at tn
news, but it was understood that an
display of grief before Mrs. Mavo
was bad form. She was not to be ar
noyed
But when | suggested that she shout
leave quietly and avoid the pain of say
ing goodby she fatty refused.
Il must say goodby to every maj
They love me, and love them"
1t was decided, too at first, tina
there should be nothing in the way of
testimonial, but when Craig found OF
that the men were coming to her wit
all sorts of extraordinary gifts b
agreed that it would be better that the
should unite in one gift. So it wa
: agreed that l should buy a ring fC
: her. And were it not that the contrib
tons were strictly limited to 81 tn
purse that Slavin handed her whe
l Shaw read the address at the farewe
! supper would have been many time
filled with the gold that was presse
upon the committee. There We're n
cOppphpc at thp CnDpnr oyoant ono .,