Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-05-13
CHAPTER XVII.
A Vale Of Tears.

short path over the hill, was aDle W
reach the house several minutes be-
fore Miss Weston, and just in time to
see Miss Carney come out OF the
door and peer into the darkness IN
timid, hesitating way.
ooh, it's you. Mr.. Ware" she ex-
claimed, with q nervous little laugh.
81 am so glad. I couldn't see who it
was at first, and I'm in such a fidgety
state tonight that am almost ready
to start at my own shadow"
She came down the stev.s and stood
by my side, while the light from the
open doorway streamed out and
touched her face SO softly that 1t
poised in the surrounding darkness
like some faint, angelic picture ideal
lied by a masters hand.
II came out to try and find Annie. 4
she went on, she does not answer.
when rap at her door and thought
she might be here My! what was
that?' she gasped, coming closer to
me and graspfng my arm.
1t was only an owl far away In the
cumberland and, when I told her, she
laughed quietly but almost hysterical-
ly, and still chung to my side while we
listened to the weird, unearthly sound
that was waited again and again to
our ears from out Of the blackness Of
the opposite river bank.
She shivered slightly and I said:
you are cold, Miss Carney. LIE mo
get you wrap, and then. won't YOU
take little walk? There's chill In
the air tonight and the exercise will
do you good"
She made no reply, but looked at
me gratefully, as II had done her
some great service There was warm
wooden golf cape just inside the door,
and, snatching 1t up, fastened back
and threw 1t over her shoulders.
clasping 1t myself at her throat while
she drew her hands under II and
nestled comfortably in its generous
folds
We turned and walked slowly down
the path under the stars, away from
the house and with our backs to the
road along which knew Miss Weston
would pass in another minute.
After few moments silence,
broken only by the .drowsy splashing
OF the riyeU and the cheerful, friend
ly hum of the insect bands that make
half the charm Of an October night,
Miss Carney said, with a contented
little shrug:
ooh, how delightfully."- warm and
comfortable this cloak is, Mr.. Ware.
You always seem TO know exactly what
/ need, for am not nervous any more
and | really believe 1t was nothing but
the cold after all We mustn't go far,
for ought to be looking for Annie
this very minute. We can turn at the
tennis COURT. can't WEI"
~ whenever you WISH" said, with
an effort, for was becoming intoxi-
Gated with the glory OF her presence
and her slightest hint served me as a
| command.
I really must not stay a minute
longer she murmured, almost apollo
getically. Annie has had such ahard
day Of 1t and must see If there is any
thing she wants. suppose she is
asleep and did not hear me tap, for I've
looked everywhere for her and was
just going back to her room when ]
saw you come out Of the night like a
like oh! VI mustn't say ghost,
Mr.. Ware! It's no longer joke, Is
it?'
We had stopped at a little rustic ar
Dor by the side Of the walk and my
hand rested on the trellis in front OF
Miss Carney. She did not speak, and
I thought she was laughing softly to
herself when suddenly she leaned for.
| ward and a hot tear fell on my wrist
and was followed by another and an
other as she gave up entirely and
choked with convulsive sobs.
why, you mustn't do this!" I ex
claimed, solicitously, laying my hand
instinctively on her arm and then
drawing it away in a guilty fashion
you are completely unstrung, Miss
Carney. The day has been too much
or you, and you need rest and quiet
!. Shall we go back into the house?"
''Not yet" she sobbed. Not yet, MI
Ware. must not go until I have con
I.trol Of myself again. oh, it is aw
ful-awful! don't know what
shall do"
Why what is it?' asked anxious
! ly, as stood helplessly by her side
"You surely haven't let this little af
fair OF the morning take such hold
of you?"
| ooh, no-no-no-" she moaned. q
am going to tell you in moment, just
as soon as can talk coherently. YOU
will forgive me, won't you, Mr.. Ware
but there is no one else to whom car
go, and yet seem to do nothing but
take up your time with my trials and
worriments."
I led her out into the path again
thinking she would grow calmer as
we walked, and she said no more unit
we were nearing the house, wheI
| she resumed in a plaintive tone
broken occasionally by half-suppress
ed sob:
Its about Annie, Mr. Ware, and
did not tell you at first, for though
/ could see her myself and find ou
| what it all meant. Ever since THU
morning she has been walking up anc
dovn how rooy,,A oryipu opd cohhin q
and this afternoon I heard her say