The Detroit times., 1913-11-29

older friends than he. The light of
the late afternoon came dimly In
through the stained-giass windows
and seemed to clothe with subtle col
ors the voice of the rector as he read
the solemn service. The responses
came brokenly, and there were tears
on many faces.
Valiant could see the side-face OF
the doctor. It's saturnine grimness
strangely moved, and beyond him,
Shirley and her mother. Many glanced
at them, for the majors will had been
opened that morning and few there
had been surprised to learn that. save
for life-annuity for old Jereboam,
he had left everything he possessed
10 Shirley. Miss Matte Sue was be-
side them. and between. wan with
weeping. sat Hickey Snyder. Shir-
ley's arm lay sheltering about the
small shoulders as II 1t would stay
the passion of grief that from time
to time shook them.
The evening before had been fur
Their weakened by the child's disap-
pearance and Miss Matte Sue Ind
sat through half tho night In fearful
anxiety. 1t was Valiant who had
solved the riddle. In her hrst wild
computation, Hickey had gasped out
the story Of her meeting with Greet
King, his threat and her own terror
iaed silence, and when he heard Of
this he had guessed her Whereabouts.
He had found her at the Dome, In
the deserted cabin from which on =
snowy night six years ago. Shirley
had rescued her. She had ned there
In her shabbiest dress, her toys and
trinkets left behind. taking with her
only . string Of beads that had been
Shirley's last Christmas present.
Let me stay" she had walled.
I'm not At to live down there! IT'S
all my fault that It happened. was
q coward. ought to stay here In
HeHs-Half-Acre forever and ever!"
Valiant had carried her back In his
arms down the mountain-she had
been too spent to walk.
He thought Of this now as he saw
that arm about the child In that pro-
tective, almost motherly gesture. It
made his own heartache more un-
had felt that arm about him!
He leaned his hot head against the
cool plastered wall. trying to keep hi6
mind on the solemn reading. But
Shirley's voice and laugh seemed to
be running eeri1y through the chant
ing lines. and her face shut out pull
pit and lectern. 1t swept over him
suddenly that each abominable hour
could but make the situation more I'M
possible for them both. He had seen
her as she entered the church, had
thought her even paler than In the
wood. the blush shadows deeper un.
der her eyes. Those delicate charms
were in eclipse.
And II was he who was to blame!
It came to him with Q stab Of en-.
Ilightenment. He had been thinking
only Of himself all the while. But
for her, 1t was his presence that had
now become the UNDESIRABLE thing.
cold sweat broke on his forehead
-. for I amsa stranger with thee
and q sojourner: as all my fathers
were. o spare me little, that I mas
recover my strength before | 81
hence. - The informing voice fell
DULY on his ears.
To 60 away! To pass out of her
life, to a future empty of her? How
could he do that? When he had part
ed from her In the rain he had felt q
frenzy OF obstfnacy. II had seemed 90
clear that the barrier must in the
end yield before their love. He had
never thought of surrender. Now he
told himself that flight was all that
was left him. She-her happiness
nothing else mattered Damory Court
and its future-the plans he had
Imade-the Valiant name-in that
clarifying instant he knew that all
these, from that May day on the Red
Road, had chung about her. She had
been the inspiration OF all.
Lead kindly Light amid the encir.
cling gloom"
The voices of the invested choir
rose clearly and some one at his side
was whispering that this had beer
the majors favorite hymn. But IN
scarcely heard.
When the service was ended the
people filed the big yard while thu
last reyerent words were spoken a
the grave. Valiant standing with The
rest, saw Shirley. with her mother
and the doctor, pass ont OF the gate
She was not looking toward him.
mist was before his eyes a. they
drove away. and the vision Of heI
remained waverinx and indistinct-a
pale blurred face under shining hair
He realized after time that the
yard was empty and the sexton was
locking the church door. He went
slowly to the gate, and just outside
some one spoke to him. It was CHS
holm Lusk. They had not met since
the night of the ball. Even in his own
preOccupation, Valiant noted that
Lusk's face seemed to have lost iti
exuberant youthfulness. II was worr
as if with sleeplessness, and had q
look OF suffering that touched him
And all at once. while they stood
looking at each other, Valiant knew
what the other had waited to say.
II won't beat about the BUSH" SAID
Lusk stammering. I've got to ash
you something 4 reckon you've
guessed that THAT Shirley"
Valiant touched the young fellow
arm. Yes" he said, II think
know"
TITS no new thing, with me- sale
the other hoarsely. IT'S been three
years The night OF the ball, | though
perhaps that don't mean to ash
what YOU might have right to re
sent--but I must find out. Is Their,
any reason why ! shouldn't try m,
! luck?"
! Valiant shook his head. No n,
said heavily, there Is no reason
Tho hoyish hnok\ suraug bacl 4.