Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-10-17
The Proving.
By GRANT OWEN.
Copyrighted. 1905. by Associated
Literary Press
By GRANT OWEN.

blue stretches VI the lake aud looked
thoughtfully at Graham. who, perched
on the rail of the boathouse. was alb
sentlY pulling at the fingers OF the
gadnHets In his hands.
The young man stffened, and 4 slow
smile. In which there was hint OF
grimness. curved the corners Of his
mouth
II rather think understand" he
said quietly. You are disappointed IN
me Isn't that IT."
She was silent FOR moment
Yes. that is It," she said at length.
and at something In her voice his face
hardened.
Then you wanted me TO enter that
road race Thursday he asked
Yes" she said simply
And because | won't
She turned 70 him quickly
1t isn't that I'm tremendously in
tercs,ed Ia that race" she interrupted
him nor that care a snap whether
or not you win t. The point IS the
point is
She paused, her brows drew together
In little frowu; her fingers toyed
neryously with a bit OF wisteria she
had broken from the vine that GOV
cred the porch
Il wanted you to be In It to 20 over
the course. Tint would be sufficient
she finished
Fl see. he said You wanted me To
disprove these stories that are going
the rounds about my lack OF nerve Is
that it,
Yes she said again.
He drew himself up. His shoulder,
were squared His attitude was that
Of Il man summoning 10 his aid all his
moral courage
( The stories they have told YOU are
quite correct" he said somewhat
huskily
oh" she said and in her voice
there was something OF pain and some
thing. too, Of WEAKNESS. as II she had
been expecting this very thing and
yet was unwilling. even in her pre-.
paredness to hear H.
They arr perfectly right IN what
they say Of me" he went on calmly.
Il have lost my nerve There's moth
ing would tempt me 10 take w road
racing again"
Nothing" she questioned
Nothing" he repeated iucSorably
Il am not In the habit OF Offering an
explanation nor any excuses for my
position in the matter Bul wouli
like you 70 know the circumstances
Would you care to listen TO them"
III you choose TO tell ne" she said
duly.
You remember that race three years
age over the Meadow island course r.
said he We'll. It was then Il hap
pened Stanley was with me lie and
hAd a good lead We were tearing
past the curve at the old church let
ting out the car for all there was In
her A. We swung that turn I saw a
child Just In front " US not twenty
feet away. II seemed
How she got past the ropes that
held the crowd back can't say but
there she was right Ia the course and
not ghost " show apparently NJ
escaping US don't know 10 this siay
what saved her only know there
was great gasping Sigh from stanley
and a groan from the crowd | tried 10
swing out for her but there was SO
little time Anyway. # was some sort
OF a special Providence that saved her
We shot past her. so close that shut
my eyes"
The girl saw d nervous tremor shake
the big shoulders Her eyes narrowed
"lsut the child wasn't hurt you say"
she asked
Not in the least But those few see
onds were enough for me couldn't
stand them again That IS why am
out of the game a gutter, II you
choose to pat II that way"
The girl said nothing She sat Look
Ing out at the sparkling lake with trou-
bled eyes
At length Graham arose.
II don't blame you IN the least for
thinking ~ me a. you do. said he
nor for being disappointed Goodby"
He slid from the rail and went down
the steps 70 the big road ear standing
in the driveway He had pulled on his
gauntlets and was JUST climbing into
the car when around the corner Of the
boathouse came Wild eyed. dishev-
eled gardener from one Of the houses
1aW.u the. sfroaf
"Mr Graham. sir he painted will
you be gettin' the doctor quick. Tim
Comley's fell from the stagln' on the
stables where they're palniIn' an he's
hurted bad. sir TITS dead he'll be In
ten minutes II the doctors not fetched
before that. Hurry, For Gods sake,
hurry"
I'll have him here In Ave" Graham
called. and opened up the big ear
II sprang forward Ike a thing alive
and went tearing down the driveway
In great cloud OF dust
Margaret. who had run to the edge
~. a a Inn fus ffafs