Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-04-30

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 under her eyes
Those delicate charms were In eclipse
And II was he who was to blame!
It came to him with q stab OF an
lightenment He had been thinking
only of himself all the while. But fol
her, 1t was his presence that had now
become the unbearable thing. A cold
sweat broke on his forehead. a.
for am a stranger with thee, and q
sojourner; as all my fathers were. @
spare me little, that ! may recover
my strength before go hence. -
The intoning voice fell DULY on his
ears.
To go away! To pass out Of her
life, to 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 obstinacy. 1t had seemed SO
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-noth.
ing else mattered. Damory court and
its future-the plans he had made-the
Valiant name-in that clarifying in.
slant he knew that all these, from that
May day on the Red road, had chung
about her. She had been the inspira-
ton of all
LEAD. kindly Light, amid the encircling
gloom"
The voices of the invested choir
rose clearly and some one at his side
was whispering that this had been the
majors favorite hymn. But he
scarcely heard.
When the service was ended the
people filed the big yard while the
last reverent words were spoken at the
grave. Valiant, standing with the rest,
saw Shirley, with her mother and the
doctor, pass out of the gate. She was
not looking toward him. A mist was
before his eyes as they drove away,
and the vision of her remained waver-
ing and indistinct-a pale blurred face
under shining hair.
He realized after q 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. 1t was CHS
holm Lusk. They had not met since
the night of the ball Even In his own
preoccupation, Valiant noted that
Luek's face seemed to have lost It's
exuberant youthfulness. II was worn
as IL with sleeplessness, and had a
look of suffering that touched him.
And all at once, while they stood look
ing at each other, Valiant knew what
the other had waited to say.
81 won't beat about the bush," said
Lusk stammering. I've got to ask
you something. reckon you've
guessed that THAT Shirley"
Valiant touched the young fellows
arm. YES" he said, Il think know
It's no new thing, with me-" said
the other hoarsely. Its been three
years. The night of the ball. thought
perhaps that don't mean to ask
what you might have q right to resent
but | must find out. Is there any
reason why l shouldn't try my luck?''
Valiant shook his. head. NO" he
said heavily, there is no reason"
The boyish look sprang back to
Lusk's face. He drew long breath.
why, then l WILL" he said Tin
sorry II ! hurt you. Heaven knows
didn't want tot"
He grasped the others hand with a
mans heartiness and went up the road
with a swinging stride; and Valiant
stood watching him go, with his hands
tight-clenched at his side.
A little later Valiant climbed the
sloping driveway of Damory court. II
seemed to stare at him from a thou
sand reproachful eyes. The bachelor
red squirrel from his tree-crotch
looked down at him askance. The
redbirds. flashing through the hedges
fiuttered disconsolately. Fire-Cracker
the peacock, was shrieking from the
upper lawn and the strident discord
seemed to mock his mood.
The great house had become home
to him; he told himself that he would
make no other. The few things ne had
brought--his books and trophies-had
grown to be q part of 1t. and they
should remain. The az should not be
lafd to the walnut grove. Az his "a
Their had done. he would leave behind