Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1908-06-27

upon Lucy 'C'nnord's sweet race once
again. In the morning he would go
away.
When the long sermon was finished
the organ commenced well known
prelude, two gray haired wardens
creaked up the aisle and received the
oaken contribution boxes, while the
choir arose to sing the offertory.
Christ the Lord is risen today. AL
le-lu-iaw
That was Lucy's voice rising high
above the other singers, and again Ell
wood felt that tender apprehension
lest she should fail When the second
stanza was begun her tones were
strained and tremulous.
"She's going to break down" whis-
pered one of the women in the seat be-
hind him.
"Lo. our suns eclipse is o'er"-
1t had happened. With a discordant
wall like the breaking of a violin
string Lucy Clfford's voice died out.
The startled choir paused for an in
slant. and then from the congregation
burst mans strong voice, "Al-le-lu-ia!
To a triumphant conclusion he car
ried the fine old melody, his rich tenor
supporting the wavering voices OF the
agitated choir. He had seen the white
frightened face Of Lucy Clifford turned
I'm his direction, and he threw all the
yigor and force Of his nature into the
third stanZa.
Almost unconsciously her tremulouS
voice took up the refrain, and once
more their tones were united. 1t seem
ed as though her weak utterance rest
ed on the assured strength Of his, anC
! he carried 1t up-up-to an eXultan
close until their voices blended In fina
Joyous "Al-le-lu-ia!
Lucy Clifford sank back in her sea
with trembling hands and hickerlni
color in her pale cheeks. She did no
glance at Allen ElwoOd. 1t was sum
cient for her that he was present AM
that I'm the hour of her distress he ha'
come to her rescue.
II was like him to have done that
was strange that she had permltte'
that escapade Of his youth to blind he
to his many noble qualities. Wen,
was too late now, but she could re
member this day. 1t would be 4 pleas
ant memory to be stored away agains
a dreary future.
When the service was concluded
Lucy Clifford slipped through the SID
door into the churchyard and thehc
toward the opening in the stone wa
that led to the homeward path acros
lots.
Elwood did not follow her. 1t woul
be of no use. He was too much Oh
, black sheep. But when the dusk fe
he walked slowly along the shore roa
) until he came to the old Clifford place
1t was long, low, brown house Ia
J ing the harbor. Tall cherry trees owe
sbadowed its gabled roof, and thic
hedges of pungent box bordered II
, winding paths. A wind swept up FRO
the bay, and shower of blossoms re
, about him. A whippOrwill throbDf
= from the bough Of an apple tree.
| was like another night that was past.
= There was light step on the gra
| eIed path. a startled exclamation, al
e he was holding Lucy's unreslstli
l hands in his own.
s "I have come to ask your forgiv
ness. Lucy" he began tenderly.
Nay" she murmured tremulousl
l at is I who should ask yours for Il
narrow minded prejudices. But that
( past-I-I tried to steel my heart al
d faIled-and the years have been
4 long. Allen Her voice broke.
b 81 know" he said slowly, but u
years that are to come will be lol
k and sweet, God willing!
G The whlpporwill whirred aw'
d through the darkness, while again I
d cherry trees swayed in the breeze al
e sent a shower Of bridal whiteness oy
d the lovers at the gate.