The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-11-28

/ leaped. There were two feminine fis-
Gres. Shirley was with her mother.
The doctor stood just inside the IL
brary door and Mrs. cambridge went
hastily toward him, her light cane
tapping through the stricken silence.
Jereboam lifted his head and looked
at her piteously. -
"Reck'n Mars Monty cyan see ole
Jerry now" he quavered, but yo'-all
glib him nah love, Mis- Judith, and
tell him" His voice broke
Yes, yes, Jerry. Will
The doctor closed the door upon
her and came 20 where Shirley walt
ed Come my dear he said, ana
dropped his arm about her. Let us
go out to the garden.
| As they passed Valiant, she held
out her hand to hun. There was no
word between them. but as his hand
swallowed hers, hrs heart said TO her,
II love YOU. | love You No matter
| what is between us, | shall always
love you"
1t was wordless, heart-whisper that
only love itself could hear. and he
could read no answer In the deep
, FOOLS of her eyes. heavy now with
unshed tears. But In some subtle
way this yoiceless greeting comfort
! ed and lightened by little the weight
of dumb impotence that he had borne.
In the library, lighted so brightly
| by the sunlight. yet grave with the
hush OF that solemn presence, the
major looked into the face OF the wo-
man for whose coming he had waited
SO anxiously.
ITS all--up. Judith" he said faint
~. I've come TO the jumping-or
place
She looked at him Whitley Mon
~, Monty" she cried. Don't leave
me this way, | always thought
He guessed what she would have
said. Heaven knows you're needed
more than me. Judith. After ALL |
reckon when my time had to come
I'd have chosen the quick way His
voice trailed out and he struggled for
breath.
Jerry's in the hall. Monty. He
asked me 10 give you his love"
Poor old niger, He-used 10
tote me on his back when | was =
little shaver" There was a silence.
Don't kneel, Judith" he said az
length You will be SO tired.
She rose obediently and drew up a
chair. Monty" she faltered trem-
ulously. shall | say a prayer? I've
never prayed much-my prayers new
err seemed 10 get above the ceiling.
somehow. But I'll-try."
He smiled wanly Il wouldn't want
any better than yours, Judith. But
seems as IL Id been prayed over
enough. | reckon God Almighty's like
anybody else. and doesn't want 10 be
ding-donged all the time
He seemed 10 have been gathering
his resolution. and presently his hand
fumbled over his breast. My wal
let; give l. to me-" She drew OF from
the pocket and the uncertain fingers
took out a key. 1T opens tin box
| In my trunk. Theresa letter in II
| for you He paused moment, pant
| ing: Judith" he said. I've got 10
! tell YOU, but it's mighty hard. The
letter it's one Valiant gave me
for you-that morning, after the duel.
never gave IL TO YOU"
IL she had been white before, she
grew like marble now. Her slim nm
gers clutched the little cane till II rat
tied AGAINST the chair. and the lace
at her throat shook with her breath
ing "Yes-Monty.'
He lifted his hand with difficulty
and put the key into hers. The
seals still unbroken, Judith he said.
but I've kept 1t these thirty years y
She was holding the key in her
hands, looking down upon it. There
was a strained half-fearful wonder In
her face For an instant she seemed
quite TO have forgotten him In the
grip of some swift and painful emo
ton.
Il loved you, Judith" he stammer-
ed in anguished appeal. From the
time we were boy and girl together.
loved you. You never cared for me
--Sassoon and Valiant had the inside
track You might have loved me-
but had no chance with either of
them Then came the duel. There
was only Valiant then. I overheard
his promise TO you that night. judith.
He had broken that. II you cared