Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1905-03-30
| in THE SHADOW OF SHAME |
Copyright by k he Die
Deshny An Excel
- '"Esf>" "~"0S knae" Etc
XX&IN.

CHAPTER XX3IN.
In March Mrs. Dumbartcn was back
in town. but hot to the house or to the
| district which was fraught with such
| terrible associations and memories for
her, for Quinton Quavc, having vol
untecred to find her II new dwelling,
| he had by lucky chance found a quaint,
delightful house in Kcrsington TO let,
which he had Immediately taken for
her.
And here, in this house which well
/ coined her by it's brightness, its air
of old fashioned solidity, it's promise
of comfort she met George Bostook
for the first time since his accident.
/ AS he entered the room where she
advanced with outstretched hands. her
eyes meeting his, her heart too full for
utterance of what she felt
| For some seconds she could only look
at him in silence, noticing that his fig
ure was thinner than before, that a
scar marked the right temple, that biz
cheeks We're more hollow, but his sc
gray eyes under their heavy arched
brows We're not less luminous and We're
now filled with a purpose deeper, and
with a light of hope they had not pre-
viously known.
He was telling her in a voice he
4 strove to steady and command, how
what seemed Il century, because of
all the darkness it had held for beth
when she suddenly interrupted him,
for she could keep no longer silent.
How can thank you? What words
of mine can tell you how / feel for
what you would have done. for the
sacrifice you would have made for
me?"
1t was now his turn to remain mute,
but only for second; the opportunity
he desired was given him. and he
rapidly replied:
Give me, If you can, your love; 1t is
the one thing have hoped for and de-
sired"
Very calmly, her eyes still seeking
his. she said:
1T is yours already"
"Mine?" he exclaimed In delight. and
he took her in his arms as IL he would
snatch her from all further pain and
shelter her from care.
4 While the short afternoon OF that
spring day died. they two emptied their
hearts. He told her what he believed
she neither knew nor suspected, how
from the first day he saw her fresh
interest had come into his lonely life.
and out of this interest had sprung
a love that was to him as a revela-
in her success. OF the happiness he had
found in her friendship. of the grief
he had known because he was unable
to claim her as his own.
She listened with wondering delight,
her long face with its irregular feat
ures frightened, until, despite the gray
streaked hair loosely massed above the
broad intellectual forehead, she as
sumed an air of youth that seemed to
take ten years from her age. And then
in turn she told him how dear his
friendship had been to her. how well
come his presence. but that no thought
of love had dawned upon her until the
first day of her af1liction, when he hav-
ing come to see her had protested his
faith in her innocence before hearing
her story. And then anxious to spare
| the dead as much as possible, while
eager the living should learn the truth,
she spoke of the evening Valerius had
called to tell her that he, George Bos-
took, had confessed, and how she would
guessed Alright the cause for which he
wished to sacrifice his good name.
And SO understanding, loving and
contiding in each other, they. with
solid foundations for happiness, began
a new life. brighter than either of had
versary of her husbands death had
passed, would she consent to marry
again. George Bostock respecting her
wishes, but the days which came be-
| tween We're full of contentment for
| both.
The powers, which. during the crisis
of her life she feared had failed her
forever. awoke fertile as before, and
strengthened under the impetus which
her nature received through love.
| And therefore. setting to work once
more, she produced novel. deeper in
its analysis Of feeling. fresher in it's
emotional force, and wider in Its
I ,1,n,.n OF r1,te e,1,D
viously written. Moreover work which
had formerly seemed dcudgery now
! became a delight each chapter that
| passed from her pen was read aloud
| by her to the man on whose judgment
she relied, in whose criticism she found
help, whose appreciation she valued
most And this book being published
world, a greater popularity than she
had previously attained, the realization
OF whit. '. . --o.s.. ..er a pp..c:,d salts
faction; for such eXcelency as the
story could boast of was due. she told
her future husband, to the impetus he
had given to her mind.
Its merit is Solely due to yourself,
dear" he answered. smiling at her.
TO mySeff 1T may be in the first in
stance" she replied. But you know
we are all so open to influence. es-
1
mine. Don't you know there are those
who have the effect of paralyzing and
eXhauSting your brain during half an
hours conversation, and those who
stimulate the mind and give you men,
tai strength, just as there are modern
vampires, who, without a conscious eff
fort Of theirs. seem to drain you of all
physical force"
$50 l have heard" answered George
| Bostock, but my nature is too tough.
I suppose, to experience such things"
1T Is SO strong, SO calm, so profound
/ that it helps others, though you may
not know or feel 1t; it certainly helps
me, I'm sure 1t does"
II am afraid, Olive, you will make
me conceited," he said with mock grav-
lty.
THAT would be beyond my ability.
But l want to make you happy; to re-
pay you for all you have done and all
you would have done for my sake"
Dearest, you have repaid me thou
sand times over by your love. No
pain, no sacrifice we may endure or
make is ever lost; its reward is stored
up for us. Do you think you or could
feel such joy today if we had not
1nown such sorrow yesterday"
Perhaps not" she said, a thoughtful
look coming into her eyes. Our sor-
row, 1t was bitter while it lasted, and
almost drove me to despair; but
would bear it again, If through no
other means l could reach the happi-
ness that fills and surrounds me to-
day."
mot for today alone, Olive" he re-
Piled, nor for this life alone, but for
all time shall our happiness sur
vive."
Yes, SO long as you are with me-"
she answered gravely.