Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-08-26
CHAPTER xvI.-continued.

S0&0k>O<S&>U
CHAPTER XvI-Continued.
Miss Norman laughed wearlly. Plain
Y Hen and Ben were provocative OF
glee to professional people. Angel
Hem" she murmured.
Good old Hem" said Aurelie. Then'
quite innocently, Mr.. Curran, do you
know Hen McFetridge wanted to mar
ry me?"
"N-no-" Mr.. Curran looked eva
siye,y at Harlan. Janet had an i'm
preston that Harlan was fighting down
a blaze of anger.
But then" went on Aurelie-"ev-
erybody was good to me-"
Wanting to marry you, Aurehe!
faltered Mr.. Curran; do you call that
being good to you?
"Of course" demurely, "at least It's
interesting"
Harlan was on his feet. He attempt
ed to pass her, and she looked up In
wonder. ....--
you're not going, Harlan. Why, sit
down. Tell me all about yourself.
thought"-she hesitated-"since you'd
been east you'd be great man by
now!"
I'm prcctioing law here" he answer
ed quietly.
Going to settle down here?''
YES" "a.
She looked at him with pity that
stung him. She had grown so amaz-
ingly in the year. Il shouldn't think
YOU could stand 1t. couldn't. Oh, to
be somebody! And to do something! 1
remember the nights / used to CLIMB
the hills and stare off across the river
and wonder and wonder! Out there
was something and I wanted 1t. And
II Mr.. Curran hadn't sent my picture
to the paper I'd have been there yet
climbing Eagle Point trail at sunset to
watch the light go out-just as lonely
as Of old"
Some way or other they were still.
And dear Old Mich!" she went on
softly. Done come up-river! Done
goin' to occupy the land! That's what
he'd say. Done goin' to find the land OF
joyl" She turned to Wiley suddenly.
And before I go, I'm going to climb
the hills once more. And I'm going out
to see 'em all, II Papa Lindstrom will
let me on the place. just want some
body whose eyes get brighter when 1
come among 'em. And Uncle Mlchs s
will, Mr.. Curran!"
I know they will, Aurelie. And
Knute's and Peters and the baby's!
And surely all of US! The land of JOY?
You'll bring 1t to them out there, Au-
relic. You've sent them so much stun
and money-they'd have half-starved
last winter, when Albert, the pedler,
was sick, II you hadn't done that. John
knew you were sending the money
too, but he pretended he did not. Why'
we all like you, Aurelie."
I'm glad" she answered, and stood
in the doorway looking over the town
with a forgiving and proud simplicity.
"They do like her." drawled the tired
blonde woman from her chair. i've
been in stock five years, and before
dy circuit spot-lighting song, and
I've seen 'em al. When 1 tie to kid,
she's got to have it. Split week vaud-
eville and cheap stock don't leave you
no illusions. But Aurelie-lm going
to take this kid to New York and get
her in right If I have to sell my shoes"
Are you going there to act?" inquir-
ed Mr. Curran innocently.
Who? Me?" The spotlight artist
sat up and turned her heavy good-hu-
mored face to him. "Oh, Gawd-me
on Broadway! Say, you're one of these
iay humorists, amt you? Cut out the
funny stuff"
Now, Ada"-burst forth Aurelie-
You mustn't talk so! You're the best
and kindest woman l ever knew!" She
turned defiantly to the others: oh
the days and nights she coached me
and rehearsed me-and dressed me and
told me how to behave at hotel tables
and everything! Mon Dieu! Each
night l say little prayer for Ada Nor
mani" She finished softly and was
staring out the window. Maybe this
town was right in laughing at me ir
the old days. l guess was funny! And
felt so bitter when I went away. Blu,
sitting here in Mr.. Curran's old shop
somehow, all that Is dead. The birds
singing up the cliff and the smell Of
the corn and clover-it's all so peace
full. i guess l was wrong-everybody
would have been my friend If I'd have
let them. And now life is big ano
beautiful I almost think people would
be glad to see mel could just love the
old place!"
Miss Vance glanced out to where hel
brother was bringing the buggy acros:
the street Harlan, in the doorway
was listening. But only Mr.. Currar
looked at her. If Aurelie had breatEet
a prayer for forgiveness he could no
have stood in more mute reverence
And suddenly Janet turned to see nj!
eyes. Then she crossed to Aurelie ant
lifting the girls face, kissed her cheek
She could not tell what compassion
what unutterable renunciation, moved
her. Only she knew that to Curran
Aurelie would ever be the princes
whom he had released from tn
witches spell. This was the secret o
his kindling fires, his new and eNul
tant life. For Janet there would be th
steadfast work, the long road. Sh'
would have still the faint dream Of ;
mans love. The other sort of woman
the primal appeal, would win. Well, sh
did not need this love, then.
She left Aurelie in a shy surprise
and Wiley in wonder at this demon
stration. Janet was not given to it. H
watched her and Arne drive away, ant
Harlan cross to the court house. The.
were guessing at his madness, it seem
ed.
Aurelie decided that she and Mis-
Norman would put up at the Parson