Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1908-09-17
where are the flowers ?''
81 have them.
rake them to the carriage, 2

rake IHem TO the scaffla&e.
But she did not follow She went
to the window again. Through the
woods that he loved and down by the
brook where he played = And then
on and down the road and across fields.
wild, free ride. Aileen knew how
Alec would go. They had ridden side
by side too many times for her to for
get the eager leaning forward in the
saddle, the careless hold on the reins.
She must remember to ask him to be
more careful.
Well, it was time to go. The maid
returned trifle disturbed. She had
an engagement at half-past four It
was always safe to make one on Sat
urdays.
Aileen stood in the middle OF the
room pulling off her glove.
Another pair, madam?"
Get my habit. -
But, madam, it is packed away
Get it out
She tugged her hat and veil from
coils Of hair that pulled and hurt her. J
Then the long black dress lay On the
floor in heap. He <.ding clothes
fitted loosely ever her thin figure. She
buttoned the coat over heart that
beat heavily in sudden and unaccount-
able fear.
It seemed an hour before the b1aA
mare was brought around. Then All
leen cantered down the drive with the
bride reins hanging from her stiff
| fingers. The mare turned to the left
out of the gate By miracle AileaTa,
did not check her. By the brook he
had said, and through the woods, and.
this was not the way. She must turn
1 and still she did not.
| Down the road mile the mare
swerved, and with a nicker darted
down across grassy gutter. up a
slight bank beyond. rose at stone
wall and dropped gently to her feet.
Then she cantered across smooth
field, and Aileen weakly slid from the
saddle to Alec's side.
He was lying on his face and his
horse grazed at little distance. the
re1ns hanging over his head. Aileen
touched his hand gently, but he did not
move. She leaned down and laid her
lips to his fingers. There was move
ment of the broad shoulders and some
thing like sob.
"Alec!n
His eyes opened slowly.
rs it you. Aileen ?''
He sat up slowly.
Why, dearest, did you decide to
ride after all? he asked.
| h 7 =;
Go! Col he said, just as he USED,
only thought Of you, I had to find
you."
Trent looked at her strangely.
/ "And you are not hurt? You were
not thrown?"
mo, child"
Aileen's eyes filled.
ALEC, oh Alec! What have done to
you?"
Trent's arms were about her.
Yo uhave come to me, darling he
said. And, please God, you will never
get away from me again.
! HE kept saying, Go! Coz" she Sob
bed
Now you have heard him, too, Al
1eeA. ana you can OOuDt Lnat ne
lives, can your
/ "Can it be his voice, Alec? It can't
be.
How can we tell? You have heard
It; Now and then I hear it. You
thought it meant was in danger.
So was, in the greatest danger. My
heart was hardening toward you. But
now" He rested his lips on her hair.
They rode home through the early
autumn twilight The stiffness OF
country road and fieiu, the purity and
freshness of country air were about
them, and beneath them the rhythmic
motion of the horses stride.
1T is good to be glad again." said
Alec, his hand on his w1fe's.
/ It is good to be together" said Al
leen softly, .and you must help me to
be glad"
/ Because we still have the boy" said
/ Alec.
And Aileen answered bravely. Eyes,
we still have the boy!"-From the
American Home Monthly.