The state herald., 1914-09-04
AS they passed Valiant, she held out

| As they passed Valiant, she held out
her hand to him. There was no word
between them, but as his hand swal,
lowed hers. his heart said to her. Il
love you. love you! No matter what
is between US, shall always love
you'll"
1t was wordless, heart-whisper that
only love itself could hear, and he
could read no answer In the deep
pools OF her eyes. heavy now with un-
shed tears. But in some subtle way
his voiceless greeting comforted and
lightened by a 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 anx-
iously.
IT'S all-up. Judith" he said faintly.
I've come to the jumping-off place."
She looked at him Whitley. Monty,
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. l
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 / was a little
shaver" There was silence. Don't
kneel. Judith. he said at length. You
will be SO tired"
She rose obediently and drew up
chair. Monty" she faltered tremu.
lously. shall say a prayer? I've new.
er prayed much-my prayers never
seemed to get above the ceiling. some
how. But l'll-try."
He smiled wanly. Il wouldn't want
any better than yours, Judith. But
seems as II I'd been prayed over
enough. ! 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 IL to me-" She drew II from the
pocket and the uncertain fingers took
out a key. 1T opens tin box In my
trunk. Theresa letter In It for you"
He paused 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. I never gave
II to you"
II she had been white before. she
grew like marble now. Her slim I'm.
gers clutched the little cane till 1t rat
tied against the chair. and the lace at
her throat shook with her breathing.
"Yes-Monty."
He lifted his hand with difnculty and
put the key into hers. 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 II. There
was strained haif.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 STAN.
mered In anguished appeal. From
the time we were boy and girl togeth.
er. loved you. You never cared for
me-Sassoon and Valiant had the In.
side track. You might have loved me;
but had no chance with either OF
them. Then came the duel. There was
only Valiant then. ! overheard his
promise to you that night, Judith. He
had broken that! II you cared more
for him than for Sassoon. you m, sht
have forgiven him. and ! should have
lost you. didn't want you to call
him back. Judith! I wanted my
chance! And SOL took II. That's
the reason. dear. lt's-its bad one.
int H."