The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-02
FALSE PRIDE

mad disorder now. of the world to
which Jack TreadwelI belonged, and
decided.
rs this Mr.. Brdsey's placer re4
peated TreadwelI,
Eleanor did not turn her head.
No" she said in 81 strange hollow
voice. 1T is next to the church"
Thank YOU came Treadwelrs
voice. hesitatng. Does Miss Elea-
nor Birdsey live here"
NO" said Eleanor quickly
There was silence for "A moment
and then. as If reluctantly, ,no
machine slowly chugged past tho
house
Eleanor sank down into crumpled
heap on the grass with both hands on
her tumultuous breast.
I'm glad l did it," she cried
hercely. He would have despiscd
us-"e are poor farmers. | Wish
had never gone to Mouutaintop."
There was the sound OF d ursrant
crash. followed by shouts Of men,
Eleanor sprang TO her feet with
sudden apprehension Something
dreadful had happenedshe had sent
Treadweil on a fools errand TO that
other Henry Birdsey in the village.
and she had not warned him that the
men were cutting trees on the wood
lot that bordered the read. She had
lied To him. and now something had
Notwithstanding that she would
remember the rest OF her life and
regret
Fear--and something eise---lens
wings to her feet. Out of the gata
and down the road with beating heart
she sped intent on one ohject~--findinx
Jack Treadwell and telling him bes
fore he died--of her wickedness.
The road wound sinuousiy. Elea4
nor flew around a cure straight into
somebody's open arms. She drew
back with glad little cry that .waA
unmistakable and chung to Tread
wells outStretched hand, forgetful %
her despised working attire.
"Oh. YOU are safe--I thought a tree
must have fallen upon you,'' sha
cried: Il heard the noise-and Z
thought ii was You"
Mrs. Treadwelfs face cleared won.
derfully: he looked keenly at Eleas
nor's gown with its roiled-up sleevea
and the becoming sunbonnet falling
back from her bronze hair. He held
closely to Eieanor's hand in spite cd
her efforts to release it.
The tree fell before my machina
reached the spot, 1t fell across the
road and would have crushed me ID
l had kept on. AS II was. l had
SttPRG0 thc tItlS sue Oh TN
curve and was debating whether
would go back again and look at the
other side of that pink sunbonnct. 3
wanted TO ask you why you sent me
on
Eleanor flushed rosily. You knew
me-" she faltered.
'Of COURSE knew your hands and
that telitale ring CA your little fingers
! recognized you in q dozen ways thAt
xH..tx Ia ia r-<vv
Eleanor-~-Miss Birdsey. suppose ~
must bet was evident you did not
want to see me and yet--you are GLAD
to see me now"
Eleanor lifted a face changing with
several emotions. Il have a cOnA
fession to make" she said with prou4
humility. MY visit to Meuntaintoh
was an event. 1t was my first taste
of that sort of pleasure and 1t wAa
charming of Grace Forbes to invite
me. But after it was overAI wao
ashamed to think of this old farmT
house j did net want: .au to cotne--4
for that reason"
For that reason alone?r asked
Treadwell. gravely.
She nodded. so when l recogs
nized your voice to-day, told You =
falsehood and sent you on--but Z
apologize for my rudeness.".
you had perfect right to deny yours
self to me ii you wished. but rather
liked you hanging up the clothea
Miss Birdsey. Let us sit down o.
this rock-tell me all about It."
He listened with interest to Aa1o
simple story of the farm life.
When she had finished he spoA4
of himself. Il was born and brough1
up on a farm like this: evcrybodys61
dead now. I'm an artist, You know
and I'm rather poor. I have efiou9hs
to live happily on and have q littl4
fun now and then. but I'm not up m
the pace of the crowd you met ~
Mountaintop." &.
Eleanor was smiling happily. Aunl
Testers voice broke the little silenoG
that followed Treadwelrs words.
Eleanor" she called. "EleanorlQ
Il must go--and finish hanging NJ
the clothes. -
~May come around after supper
and take you out in the Whirlwind a.
he asked quickly.
I'd love to CO."
And may stay at the village I'M
for a few weekE?"
There WAS the long-drawn silencd
of midsummer day: the buzxing %
bee. the distant chirp OF 4 bird.
Then Aunt Hester's voice across the
intervening space:
Eleanor
Eleanor" repeated TreadwA11
softly. May I stay"
Yes" she said. evading his glano&
II hope you will - ~