Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-08-09

| ant look in his eyes, and he bent to lay
| his hand on hers where it held the
| reins.
/ Janet swerved suddenly. "Take care
she said hurriedly, we've ridden into
The returning congregation of Brier-
sons church.
| Burke followed her with an unuttered
! imprecatlon.
what are they having church on
week day for, anyhow" he demanded
| aggrievedly.
Thanksgiving day." said Janet. bow
ing to a gray bearded man on horse
back and flnging smile to the sturdy
urchin beside him. They walked their
horses slowly through the tide Of horses
and vehicles, then drew rein before the
| little wooden church with its stunted
steeple and weather beaten sides.
.They call it Brierson's, because the
old man built It," said Janet in the tone
of an obliging guide.
"Oh, bother the church. said Burke
! impatiently. We're past the crowd
now. Don't fool me any longer, Janet.
Why, janet He broke off. his gaze
following hers to where the door Of the
| little church opened and closed behind
tall man In the rough clothes of the
country minister.
Janet's eyes widened, and her cheeks
lost their fresh color as the young man,
pocketing the church key, came quickly
down the path. When he was opposite
the pair on horseback he glanced up in
frank curiosity, meeting the vivid ques-
| ton Of Janet's eyes. and stopped short,
paling under all his tan.
"Janet," he said hoarsely, and that
was ALL
Slowly the color crept back over ia
nets face, and her eyelids fell before
the minister's compelling look.
Burke's glance went from one to the
other, and Janet felt its keenness.
"Dayid," she stammered, 81 didn't
know that you were here. hadn't
thought
ssPve been here for year now" The
minister's eyes were fastened upon her
face with the bliss Of long starvation
ended. 'They told me you never came
home; that you had forgotten us for
the city" The glory in his face smote
Burke like physical pain. and he jerk
ed his horses rein till the creature
reared
sOh, beg your parionw cried Janet,
striving for mastery of the situation.
! 1sMr. Burke, this is David MacAllen,
an old friend"
The two men clasped hands in silent
hostility on Burke's part and happy
abstraction on MacAllen's. He had no
eyes save for Janet.
you've come back to stay" he in
sisted, laying firm hand on her bride
rein.
Il think not murmured Janet. Il
don't know She was visibly dis
tressed.
wen convince YOU" laughed the
minister like happy boy.
Somehow Burke felt old and worn
beside his fresh enthusiasm, and the
sight of Janet's trembling uncertainty
cut him sharply.
sI'H see you tonight said MacAllen-
They rode on after little, Janet and
| Burke to the red farmhouse and left
! the minister standing in the road be-
hind them, the glory of loves ages in
his eyes.
ut was an old story, then?" said
Burke as he lifted Janet from her
horse at last.
81 knew him before I ever went to
Aunt Jane" said the girl unhappily.
81 thought had orgotten-honestly."
Burke followed her into the house
with a philosophic smile curving his
lips, albeit little bitterly sMany
waters cannot quench love nor much
chiffon smother it." he said sententious-
| ", but the sheen Of the sunlight was as
dust in his sight, and the hand that
selected cigarette with ostentatious
care trembled strangely.