Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-09
CHAPTER xxvll. And Co fhe lnhf cd Me

And So the Light Led Me.
 He had been to see Sister Theresa. and Marian was walking with him te the aats, saw her suisa RlsiAly Ia the light that fell from the lamp over. head, A loas cloak covered hsy. aa6 . fur toque capped her graceful head, My grandfather and his guide were apparently in high spirits and their laughter smote harshly upon me. It seemed to shut me out,-to lift bar rier against me. The world lay there within the radius of that swaying light, and I hung aloof. hearing her voice and jealous of the very com panionship and sympathy between them.
 But the light led me. 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 I had followed on that night journey at Christmas eve; and I 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. could still hear their voices. and see the lantern flash and disappear. felt an impulse to turn back, or plunge into the wood. land; but was carried on uncontroll- ably. The light glimmered and her voice still aoated back to me. It stole through the keen winter dark like . memory of spring; and so her voice and the light led me. Then 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 I 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 must go back with you. A fine person you are to guide an old man. A foolish virgin. indeed, with no oil in her lamp." Please do not, Of course I'm go- ing to see you quite to your own door. I don't intend to put my hand to the lantern and then turn back"
 This walk isn't what it should be, 1" said my grandfather. we'll have to make better one in the spring"
 Then they were silent and I heard him futilely striking a match, when suddenly the lantern fell, it's wires rattling as 1t struck the ground. and the two exclaimed with renewed mer- riment upon their misfortune
 If you will allow mel" called out, fumbling in my pocket for my own matchbox.
 I have sometimes thought that there is really some sort of decent courtesy to me. An old man caught in a rough path that was none too good at best, And a girl. even though my enemy. But these were not. I fancy. the reflections that crossed my mind at the moment.
 "Ah. it's Jack" exclaimed my grand father. Marian vas showing me the the way to the gate and our light went out
 Miss DevereuI.- I murmured. | have. I hope. an icy tone for persons who have incurred my displeasure. and employed it then and there with. no doubt. Its fullest value.
 She and my grandfather were grop i ing in the dark for the lost lantern. and I. putting out my hand. touched her ungloved fingers
 T beg your pardon she murmured frostily-
 Then I found and grasped the Ian- tern
 One moment I said. ~and III see what's the trOubIe.-
 I thought my grandfather took i.. but the flame of my wax match showed her fingers cIssPing the wire frame. The cloak slipped arsy. showing her arms soft curve. trs hsEe and thfts