Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-08-13

AS they passed Valiant, she held cut
her hand to him. There was no word
between them, but as his hand swal-
lowed hers, his heart said to her, 81
love you, I love you! No matter what
is between US, I shall always love
you!"
It was wordless, a heart-whisper that
only love itself could hear, and he
could read no answer in the deep
pools Of her eyes, heavy now with IN
shed tears. But in some subtle way
his yoiceIess greeting comforted and
Ightened 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 woman for
whose coming he had waited so an1-
iously.
Its aIl-up, Judith" he said family.
give come to the jumping-off place"
She looked at him whitley. Monty,
Monty!" she cried. Don't leave me
this wayi I 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 to give you his love"
Poor old niger! He-used to tote
me on his back when I was a little
shaver" There was a silence. Don't
kneel Judith" he said at length. You
will be so tired
She rose obedientIy and drew up a
chair. Monty" she faItered tremu-
lousy, shall I say prayer? I've new
er prayed much-my prayers never
seemed to get above the ceiling, some
how. But Ill-try"
He smiled wanly. 81 wouldn't want
any better than yours, Judith. But
seems as if I'd been prayed over
enough. I reckon God Almighty's like
anybody else, and doesn't want to be
ding-donged all the time"
He seemed to have been gathering
his resolution, and presently his hand
fumbled over his breast my wallet;
give it to me-" She drew it from the
pocket and the uncertain fingers took
out key. ut opens a tin box in my
trunk. Theresa letter in it for you.
He paused a moment, painting: "Ju-
dith, he said, I've got to tell you, but
it's mighty hard. The letter .
it's one Valiant gave me for you-that
morning, after the duel. l never gave
it to you"
If she had been white before, she
grew like marble now Her slim fin
gers clutched the little cane till it rat
tied against the chair, and the lace at
her throat shook with her breathing.
''Yes-Monty."
He lifted his hand with difficulty and
put the key into hers. 1.-THE seals still
unbroken, Judith he said, "but I've
kept it these thirty years.
She was holding the key in her
hands, looking down upon it. There
was 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.
i loved you, Judith" he STAN
mered in anguished appeal. From
the time we we're boy and girl togeth-
er, l loved you. You never cared for
me-Sassoon and Valiant had the in
side track. You might have loved me;
but I 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! If you cared more
for him than for Sassoon, you might
have forgiven him, and I should have
lost you! I didn't want you to call
him back, Judith! I wanted my
chance! And SOL took it. That's
the reason. dear. lists a bad one,
int it,"