The Irish standard., 1907-06-29
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CHAPTER XVII.
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He had been to see Sister Theresa,
and Marian was walking with him to
the gate. l saw her quite plainly in
the light that fell from the lamp over
head. A long cloak covered her, and
a fur toque capped her graceful head.
My grandfather and his guide were
apparently in high spirits and their
laughter smote harshly upon me. 1t
seemed to shut me QUITO lift bar
rier against me- The world lay there
within the radius of that swaying
light, and l hung aloof. hearing her
voice and jealous of the very COM
panionship and sympathy between
them.
But the light led me. I remembered
with bitterness that had always fol-
lowed her.-whether as Olivia, trail
ing in her girlish grace across the
snow, or as the girl in gray, whom
had followed on that night journey at
Christmas eve; and l followed now.
The distrust, my shattered faith, my
utter loneliness. could not weigh
against the joy of hearing that laugh
of hers breaking mellowly on the
night.
| paused to allow the two figures to
widen the distance between us as they
traversed the path that curved away
toward the chapel. I could still hear
their voices, and see the lantern flash
and disappear. l felt an impulse to
turn back, or plunge into the wood
land; but l was carried on uncontroll-
ably. The light glimmered and her
voice still foated back to me. 1t stole
through the keen winter dark like a
memory of spring; and so her voice
and the light led me.
Then I heard an exclamation of dis
may followed by laughter, in which
my grandfather Joined merrily
"Oh, never mind; we're not afraid"
she exclaimed.
I had rounded the curve in the path
where l should have seen the light;
but the darkness was unbroken. There
was silence for a moment, in which l
drew quite near to them.
Then my grandfather's voice broke
out cheerily.
Now I must go back with you! A
fine person you are to guide an old
man! A foolish virgin, indeed, with
go oil in her lamp"
please do not! or course I'm 60
Ing to see you quite to your own door! .
don't intend to put my hand to the
lantern and then turn back"
"rhis walk isn't what it should be-
said my grandfather, well have to
make better one in the spring."
Then they were silent and l heard
him futllely striking a match. when
suddenly the lantern fell, its wires
rafting as it struck the ground, and
the two exclaimed with renewed mer-
riment upon their misfortune.
IF you will allow met" called out,
fumbling in my pocket for my own
matchbox.
l have sometimes thought that
| there is really some sort of decent
courtesy to me. An old man caught in
rough path that was none too good
at best! And girl, even though my
enemy! But these were not, l fancy,
the reflections that crossed my mind
! at the moment.
"Ah, it's Jack" exclaimed my grand
father. Marian was showing me the
the way to the gate and our light went
out"
/ Miss Devereux," I murmured. !
have, hope, an icy tone for persons
who have incurred my displeasure,
and employed it then and there with,
/! no doubt it's fullest value
She and my grandfather were CROP
ing in the dark for the lost lantern.