The Washington times., 1909-05-29
CHAPTER XLIII.
inns CALLER.

I T was fifty miles by direct route from
the lake to Chanton, and the char
acter of the road through the woods
and over the foothills necessitated an
early start.
LUNCHEON at Monterey brought the
first rest to the party, wearied by the
bumps and Tuts of the woods, and that
rest was welcomed by Grace and the
nurse. who occupied the back seat OF
the wagon.
Jim and the king had been companions
IN the middle seat for the twenty miles
covered during the morning. while the
driver OF the rig and the old constable
mad been next each other forward.
Completely refreshed. the same ar
rangement obtained as they started out
for the final stage to Chanton- =,
once more the dusk or evening found
Jim and Grace close together. he Won
dering whether there had come to her
any comprehension of the events of
the last few days; she. aWed by the
sense within her that there was some
thing in all this far beyond her power
OF understanding
The old driver had halted the team
IN front OF a watering trough, few
miles outside of town, and had asked
jim TO loosen the checks so that the
horses might drink, when Grace spoke
quietly to him.
jim" she said, as he was about to
resume his seat. let Helen sit with
the gypsy. I want TO talk with you"
The change was made and again Al
ton was beside the girl.
Don't think. jim" she said, that
III be surprised by anything / may
learn when we reach nome. I know
l that you have done everything man
could do for me, and, as her hand
came out toward him, Il think I under
stand"
How little she understood Alton knew
! flom the frank friendliness of her yes
ture, but he had no intention Of trust
ing the expression Of his knowledge to
words.
THANK you," he said.
Jim had seen the electric lights Of
Chanton under varying circumstances,
but never under conditions which should
so surely bring happiness TO him as
now. But IT was not all satisfaction. sell
fish though he knew It was 10 hold any
other feeling, which came TO him as
they surmounted the hiIl Just outside
the town and approached the gate OF
the Gordon house.
Wen get .ous here" ne announced.
as the team halted, "and you drive on
to the Jail with the gypsy"
Good night, sir" said the constable,
Then Grace and Jim and the nurse.
carrying the child, walked up the broad
path 10 the steps of her home
Don't YOU know said Grace. that 7
haven't seen this place since I went to
New York; And yet YOU tell me that
We have been here together"
The same hammock hung in the dark
ness in which. sleeping. he had expert
enced that wonderful awakening which
nication between his heart and hers
The same path which the giant gypsy
had passed over was now beneath their
feet.
Grace opened the front door and. fol-
lowed by Jim and the nurse with the
baby. entered the great library.
IT would have been a poor home
coming had not DIT. Jordan been there
My Cod cried the old man.
And then Mrs Graham came from the
farther corner of the room and silently
pressed the young girl to her breast
But it was for the old man who had
staked the welfare Of the child he loved
best IN all the world, to show the feel
ing which seldom comes to a man twice
in a lifetime.
Jim" he said. Il knew knew
Alton was by his side in a moment.
and the trembling hands Of young
strength were pressed against the arm
Of old confidence
And doctor he answered. ''al you
asked me TO do I have done, and shes
And does she know everything
whispered the old man
7 called her Mrs. Gordon" was all
Jims reply.
There in The far corner of the great
library, the three women were stand
ing close together and in their midst
the baby cooed-
Unaccountably one OF Jim's impulses
'Grace-Mrs. Gordonr' he exclaimed.
Wont you play that thing-about roses
and moonlight? I don't know the name"
She seated herself at the piano and
once more the great room held the
harmOnies Of the theme which the girl
had played a few nights before. I'M
conscious of anything but the presence
of the man whom now she scarcely
knew.
And now" said Grace, "I am going
10 have the happiness Of rocking 70
sleep the little one who has been away