The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1907-10-18

THANK you! He's probably at the
chapel by this time. II you will per.
NIT me"
mot at ALL"
A man in the sixties should not
tax his arteries too severely. was
quite sure that my grandfather ran
up the chapel steps: could hear his
stick beating hurriedly on the stones.
"If you wish to go farther'-I be.
gan.
was indignant at my grandfather's
conduct; he had deliberately run off,
leaving me alone with young woman
whom l had resolved never to see
again.
Thank you; ! shall go back now.
was merely walking to the gate with
Mr.. Glenarm. 1t is so fine to have him
back again. so unbelievable!"
1t was Just such polite murmur as
one might employ in speaking to an
old foe at a friends table.
She listened moment for his step:
then, apparently satisfied. turned back
toward st. Agatha's. l followed, un-
certain. hesitating, marking her defin.
ite onward flight. From the folds Of
her cloak stole the faint perfume OF
violets. The sight OF her. the sound
of her voice. combined to create-and
to destroy!-a mood with every step.
I was seeking some colorless thing
to say when she spoke over her shoul-
| der:
You are very kind, but am not
the least afraid, Mr.. Glenarm"
But there is something wish to
say to you. now that we have met. l
should like
She slackened her step.
Yes"
Il am going away"
Yes; of course; you are going
away"
Her tone implied that this was some
beginning Of time, and did not mat.
| ter.
"And wish to say a word about
Mr.. Pickering" added.
She paused and faced me abruptly.
We were at the edge of the wood.
and the school lay quite near. She
caught the cloak closer about her and
gave her head a little toss remem-
bered we'll, as a trick compelled by
the vagaries Of woman's headdress.
81 can't talk to you here. Mr.. Glen
| arm; ! had no intention OF ever see
ing you again; but must say this to
you"
Those notes OF Pickering's-I shall
ask Mr.. Glenarm to give them to you
as a mark of esteem from me-"
She stepped backward as though l
had struck her.
You risked much for them-and
for him" went on.
"Mr. Glenarm. l have no intention
of discussing that, or any other mat
ter with you"
ut is better So"
But your accusations. the things
you imply. are unjust, infamous!"
The quaver in her voice shook my
resolution to deal harshly with her.
"If l had not myself been q wit
ness" / began. ~
"Yes: you have the conceit OF your
own wisdom, I dare say" b.
But that challenge to follow you,
to break my pledge; my running away.
only to find that Pickering was close
at my heels: your visit to the tunnel
in search OF those notes-don't you
know that those things were blow
that hurt? You had been the spirit
Of this woodland to me. Through all
| these months, from the hour ] watch
ed you paddle of into the sunset in
your canoe. the thonght Of you made
the days brighter-steadied and cheer
| 4 ST hnt 7
had Observation-Disclosures ago.
And this hideous struggle here-it
seems so idle. so worse than useless
now! But I'm glad ! followed you-
I'm glad neither fortune nor duty kept
me back. And now l want you to
know that Pickering shall not suffer
for anything that has happened. I
shall not punish him: for your sake
he shall go free"
A sigh SO deep that 1t was like sob
broke from her. She thrust forth her
hand entreatingly.
"Why don't you go to him with your
generosity? You are SO ready to be.
lieve i'll OF me! And / shall not de.
fend myself; but I will say these
things to you. Mr.. Glenarm: had no
idea, no thought Of seeing him at the
Armstrong's,-it was surprise to me
and to them-when he telegraphed
he was coming. And when I went in
| to the tunnel there under the wall
that night, / had purpose-a pur.
| pose"
"Yes?" She paused and bent for
ward, earnestly waiting for her words,
| knowing that here lay her great Of
Tending.
II was afraid was afraid that
Mr.. Glenarm might not come in time;
that you might be dispossessed-lose
the fight, and came back with Mr..
| Pickering because-that was the