Charlevoix county herald., 1910-02-05


| both temptation and an opportunity.
upsetting. Either way | am bound to
be sorry. Whatever made you do 1T.
sir? AS long as knew there was no
escape l worked without whining"
Therefore it's my duty to say-you
sha'n't keep on working" John said,
masterfully, possessing himself OF the
locked hands. She blushed beautifully,
but did not draw them away. He got
up, saying still more masterfully,
| Now I'm going to take you back to
| the arbor--but mind, you are not to
dance oftener than every other set. l
don't think, either, shall let you
dance with any other fellow on the
ground-then everybody will under
stand"
Eyes. sir!" Elizabeth answered, her
face the pattern of meekness, but
wicked twinkle in the bottom OF her
eyes. She tried to look unconscious.
to jest as gayly as ever with the 9TH
ers, but in spite of herself her color
mounted under the significant smiles.
right Off the reel this way" Charley
Gray said teasingly, sitting down be-
side her. John had left her for a mo-
ment. Charley, his best friend, was
graciously excepted from the rule
against other partners. Lindsay
Holme is coming after dinner on pur-
| pose to see you. He told me so only
yesterday-you must have bewitched
him for fair. A hardheaded citizen,
old man Lindsay; but say, he's moon
ing like a calf over a picture he's got
of you"
Elizabeth's heart beat madly. Lind
say Holme, the partner of her dreams!
She turned implorilgly to Gray. say
ing: Take me away! Quick! Home,
anywhere! John must not know"
Gray looked hard at her--something
in her face compelled obedience. Soon
they were whirling away to the
Walker homestead, but fast as they
went gossip had gone faster. Miss
Abby sat stony-faced upon the piazza
with the blind child wrapped and
hooded upon the steps at her feet and
a huddled litter of corded trunks and
boxes just inside the yard gate.
LAS you see-I am ready for you,"
she admonished Elizabeth sternly,
waving her back as she made to
mount the steps. "My roof shall not
be profaned by sheltering an migrate
and wanton. You would dance, for
sooth! You must pay the piper"
II am ready to pay" Elizabeth said,
proudly, STOPPING to gather the blind
child in her arms. Phoebe had sobbed
herself almost sick-she was slight for
even her five years, and nestled
against her sister as a chilled birding
nestles to its mother. Elizabeth turned
about, the tiny creature huddled
against her breast. Gray held out his
arms, but she chung to her burden.
I'VE will go back, if you please" she
painted. II have nowhere else to
CO."
But they never got back to the dan
cling crowd. BY the time Phoebe was
we'll asleep they met two men, each
riding hard. John Lane and Lindsay
Holme had sensed what lay back of
Ellzabeth's flight and had followed her.
Under the shadow of big oaks they
halted.
Elizabeth looked from one to the
other, her wet eyes suddenly clearing
of all trouble.
John spoke first. Come home with
me-" he said. please God it shall be
a happy home or you and Phoebe
Il offer you both-the home of a
heart-it IL all l have" Lindsay said
huskily. th-darling-poverty
has held me silent-even now ought
not to speak-but-you sha mt starve."
Elizabeth smiled softly.
John" she said, her voice vibrant
as a harpstring, "if-if l could marry
you, | shouldn't deserve your love.
want to deserve it tried to keep
faith-but-but Fate is stronger than
any of u.s."
Il understand" John said, looking
from her face to Lindsay's. God bless
you BOTH"