Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-04-26

cent Cnyne, surrounded ny the nalO OF
whatever story she might invent, would
NC CreaIeu WITH certain careless non
chalance by the older men, with re-
spectful avoidance by the younger.
Truly women have the deepest punish
ment for their sins here on earth, for
sooner or later the time will come, after
the brilliancy Of the first triumph, after
the less pure satisfaction Of the skilled
siren, the time will come when all that
they want is an enduring, honest love.
And it is written that an enduring love
cannot, with the best will in the world,
be bestowed OH an unworthy object.
If woman wishes to be loved purely
she must have pure heart and no past
ready for the reception of that love.
This is sine qua non. The woman
with a past has no future.
The short March day was closing in
over London with that murly sugges-
ton of hopelessness affected by metro
politan eyentide when Jack Meredith
presented himself at the door OF his
fathers house.
In his reception by the servants there
was a subtle suggestion Of expectation
which was not lost on his keen mind.
There is no patience like that of ex-
pectation in an Old heart. Jack Mere
ditn felt vaguely that he had been ex-
pected thus, daily, for many months
past.
He was shown into the library, and
the tall form standing there on the
hearth rug had not the outline for
which he had looked. The battle be-
tween old age and stubborn will Is
long. But old age wins. 1t never
raises the siege. 1t starves the garrl-
son out. Sir John Meredith's head
seemed to have shrunk. The wig did
not fit at the back. His clothes, al
ways bearing the suggestion of empti-
ness. seemed to hang on ancient given
lines as if the creases were wen estab-
lshed. The clothes were old. The
fateful doctrine of not worth while had
set in.
Father and son snook hands, and Sir
John walked feebly to the stiff backed
chair. where he sat down in shame
faced silence. He was ashamed OF his
infirmities. Ills was the instinct OF the
dog that goes away into some hidden
corner to die.
81 am glad to see you," lie said, us
ing his two hands to push himself
farther back in his chair.
There was little pause. The fire
was getting low. 1t fell together with
a feeble, crumbling sound.
"Shall l put some c9a,5 onT' asked
Jack.
A simple question, if you will, but 1t
was asked by the son in such tone
of quiet, filial submission that whole
volume could not contain all that it
said to the old mans proud, unbending
heart.
Eyes, my boy, do"
And the last six years were wiped
away like evil writing from a slate.
There was no explanation. These
two men were not of those who ex-
plain themselves and in the warmth OF
explanation say things which they do
not fully mean. The opinions that
each had held during the years they
had left behind had perhaps been
modified Gil both sides, but neither
sought details of the modification.
They knew each other now, and each
respected the indomitable will Of the
other.
They inquired after each others
health. They spoke OF events Of a
common interest. Trifies Of everyday
occurrence seemed to contain absorc-
ing details. But it is the everyday
occurrence that makes The life. 1t
was the putting on of the Goals that
reconciled these two men.
"Let me see," said Sir John, you
gave up your rooms before you lett
England, did you rot?"
eyes"
Jack drew forward his chair and put
his feet out toward the fire. 1t was
marvellous how thoroughly at home he
seemed to be.
"Then," continued Sir John, where
is your luggage"
81 left it at the club"
"Send along fer. it. Your room is-er
quite ready for you. shall be glad II
you will make use of it as long as you
like. You will be free to come and go
as If you were in your own house."
Jack nodded with a strange twisted
little smile, as If he were suffering from
cramp in the legs. 1t was cramp-at
the heart
Thanks" he said. Il should like
nothing better. Shall ring"
IF you please"
Jack rang and they waited in the
fading daylight without speaking. AT
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