The Detroit times., 1913-02-15
[& n THE JUST
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- H( 1yVaushan kesfer
The Prodieal Judee|
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he would not understand it."
Her father was waiting for her at
the foot OF the stairs, and the glance
he bent on her was keen with anxiety
Perfect understanding existed bG-
tween them no less now than former
ly. but the anguish which had left its
impress on that white face removed
her beyond any attempted expression
OF sympathy from him
At the end of the hall the open
door gave wide vista OF well-kept
lawns. Elizabeth turned swiftly to
this doorway. Her father kept his
place at her side. and together they
passed from the house out into the
warm day. Suddenly the girl paused,
and her eager gaze was directed to-
ward Mount Hope-toward him.
Would IL be too late To go TO him
now?' she asked in a fevcrish wills
per.
spasm of pain contracted the old
generals haggard face, bur the ques-
ton found him mute.
Would 1t be too late?" she re-
peated
He would not desire It, Elizabeth
replied her father
But would II be too late?" and she
rested a shaking hand on his arm.
you must not ask me that don't
know"
He tried to meet her glance. which
seemed TO read his very soul, then
her hand dropped at her side and she
took a step forward. her head bowed
and her face averted.
Again came the thought OF North's
awful isolation; the thought of that
lonely death where love and tender
ness had no place; all the CHASTITY
terror OF that last moment when he
was hurried from this living breath
ing world, II was monstrous thing!
A thing beyond belief-incredible, un-
speakable!
I'VE can believe in his courage
said her father. 'as certainly as We
can believe in his innocence"
Yes" she gasped.
THAT is something. And the day
will surely come when the world Will
think as we think. The truth seems
lost now, but not for always"
but when he Is gone-when he is
no longer here
The general was silent. North had
compelled his respect and faith for
after all, no guilty man could have
faced death with so fine a courage.
There was more 10 him than he had
ever been willing to admit in his
judgment OF the man. Whatever MIS-
faults, they had been the faults OF
youth; had the opportunity been
given him he would have redeemed
himself. would have purged himself
OF folly. Some day." the general was
thinking, 81 will tell her just what
my feelings for North have been, how
out of disapproval and doubt has
como a deep and sincere regard"
The sun swept higher in the heav-
ems, and the gray old man with the
strong haggard face, and the girl in
whom the girl had died and the WON
an had been born, walked on; now
with dragging steps, when the stupor
Of despair seized her, now swiftly as
her thoughts rushed from horror to
horror.
The world, basliny in the warmth
OF that June sun, seemed very peace
full as they looked oct across the long
reaches OF the fiat valley. and on to
the distant town, with the lazy smoke
of its factory chimneys floated above
the spires and housetops. But the
peace that was breathed out OF the
great calm heart OF nature was not
for these two, The girls sense was
only one OF fierce rebellion ct the in
Justice which was tlking-had taken,
perhaps. the life OF the man she
loved ar injustice that could never
make amends-so implacable i'm its
exactions, so impotent in its atone
ments.
They were nearing the limits or
the grounds back of them, among
tie trees. doomed the gray stone front
OF Idle Hour. Her father rested
hand upon Ellzabeth's shoulder.
Il will try 10 be brave, too-as he
was always" she said pausing.
She stood there. tragic figure,
and then turned to her father with
pathetic coursge. She would take up
what was left for her. She had her
memories. They were of happiness
no less than sorrow, for she had loved
much and suffered much.
With a final lingering glance town
ward. she turned away. Then a
startled cry escaped her, and her
father looked up.
John North was coming toward
them across the lawn.
(The Enid