Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1910-06-17
Above the Ashes

Edholm's reception room, Stowell ut
tered low cry and moved instructive
ly into the shadow.
"Youi" he cried.
Grafton faced him and their eyes
clashed in long. steady scrutiny,
Stowell's face slowly paled, then he
drew a sharp breath and held out his
hand.
You're not glad to see me, Don"
said Grafton. "and don't blame you;
I'm your worst enemy, and you hoped
was-dead Well, 1t won't do, old
man, you can't have her."
Stowell clenched his fingers, and
his eyes hardened with fierce CLINT.
"Go on" he cut in sharply. What
are you going to do? You've had your
chance"
"Yes," burst out Grafton, "and why
didn't take it? Because loved her
that's why l wasn't good enough
for her and | gave her up, but nor to
you, boy, for I'm a better man than
you, | told her the kind Of villain
I was and left her, you've got to do the
same; you'll have more to. tell than
l."
Stowell paced the room, his breath
coming short and hard, then suddenly
he strobe to Grafton's side. why rake
over the old ashes?" he said huskily,
II live as clear a life today as any
man, why should | tell herr"
Because she wouldn't marry you
II she knew"
A softening light crept into Sto-
wells eyes. "Yes, she would" he said
in a low tone. But It's because she
doesn't know that / have dared to ask
her. It's not her love I've got to fight
for, that will be mine always, but her
faith. It's that I've got to have,
Ralph"
A spasm OF pain crossed Grafton's
face. mo man has a right to use
womans trust for prop" Then his
voice sharpened with tinge Of irony.
you seem too mighty sure Of her
love-"
yes" declared Stowell steadily.
She's that kind OF woman"
AS he spoke there was quick step
in the hall, and Miriam Edholm enter.
ed the room. She tossed aside her
furs then uttered a low exclamation
of surprise.
Ralph" she cried. One hand rested
tremulously upon Stowel's arm and
the other was extended little uncert.
ainly toward Grafton.
Stowell removed her hand with
gentle, lingering pressure and moved
to the door.
Ralph wants to talk TO you. Miri-
am" he said unsteadily. ''Pll be back
in a few moments"
She looked from one set face to the
other, then caught her breath sharply.
AS the door closed she turned TO Graf
ton and held up a silencing hand, then
flung back her head and faced him
with the full penetrating challenge OF
her eyes.
"I knew all that you've come to
tell" she declared. II knew IL long
before loved him. have heard OF
that wild western life, everything bad
and good. But he's fought and won.
It's the fight in him love. No part OF
the wrongs which you and he enacted
together has touched that in him
which is mine. His great, generous,
high-souled nature will be there al
ways"
Grafton"s face famed and he closed
his eyes upon the smart OF his tears.
"But he must not guess that
know" she went on breathlessly. He
must believe in my trust. Ii is there
supreme and unconquerable, but he
couldn't understand"
Grafton did not plead for the life
which she had once thrust back upon
his own hands. The unexpectedness
Of her plea left him stunned and I'M
potent He had the sense Of watch
ing her soar infinitely beyond him,
across the limitIess scope of a wom-
ans faith.
She thrust pen and paper into his
hand. Write quickly, as tell youl"
she implored.
He took the pen mechanically and
obeyed.
Il could not tell her." she dictated
hurriedly. Forget and be happy"
Now go, old friend" she entreated.
My way is best"
She closed the door gently behind
him and then bent her head and wait
ed When at length Stowell re-enter-
ed the room she faced him brightly,
letting her eyes meet his in a direct,
open tenderness.
"He has gone," she explained brief
ly. "but left this note" She handed
him the paper and as he read 1t turn
ed to re-adjust the light. She remain
ed tense and alert, realizing the
ferceness of his struggle. The ma
ternal instinct within her clamored for
spontaneous outpouring, yet her
woman's love sprang up In a quick
defence as he cried huskily:
"Miriam!" She came to his side,
resting her head against his arm
"Yes, DON"
1--WE got to tell you he began.
"No! mol" she cut In sharply. He
would not wish IT. Let us forget. We
are wasting such precious moments"
She drew him to chair and knelt by
his side. Think, DOM" she breath
ed. Tomorrow am to be your wife,
We have so much to think of tonight.
Look into my face. dear. and see how
happy I am. You are so good. so
strong and We have all our lives to
live. Nothing can shake my faith In
you-nothing has
The revealing break in her voice
brought him suddenly to his feet; he
thrust her back, looking deep into her
eyes.
"You knowi" he cried. Then he
bent his head until 1t rested upon her
shoulder. Thank God. you know
ADELA LOUISE KIMBALI.
FertllIzIng Beans.