The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-08-27

tective, almost motherly gesture. 1t
made his own heartache more unbear-
able Such little time ago he had
felt that arm about himl
He leaned his hot head against the
cool plastered wall, trying to keep his
mind on the solemn reading. But Shir-
ley's voice and laugh seemed to be
running eerily through the chanting
lines, and her face shut out pulpit and
lectern. 1t swept over him suddenly
that each abominable hour could but
make the situation more impossible
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 It was he who was to blame!
1t came to him with a stab Of en-
lightenment. He had been thinking
only of himself all the while. But for
her, It was his presence that had now
become the unbearable thing. A cold
sweat broke on his forehead. :" q.
for l am a stranger with thee, and q
sojourner; as all my fathers were. o
spare me a little, that l may recover
my strength before 60 hence. :"
The intoning voice fell dully on his
ears.
To go 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 obstinacy. It 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 clung
about her. She had been the inspira-
ton Of all.
Lead. kindly Light, amid the sncirclins
gloom"
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 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 OWE
preoccupation, Valiant noted that
Lusks face seemed to have lost its
eXuberant youthfulness. 1t was worn
as if with sleeplessness, and had 9
look of suffering that touched him
And all at once, while they stood look
ing ct each other, Valiant knew what
the other had waited TO say.
Il won't beat about the bush," sale
Lusk stammering. I've got to ash
you something. l reckon you've
guessed that THAT Shirley"
Valiant touched the young fellows
arm. YES" he said, 81 think know.
ITS no new thing, with me-" sale
the other hoarsely. tits been thret
years. The night of the ball, though
perhaps that don't mean to asl
what you might have right to resen
but / must find out. Is there any
reason why shouldn't try my luck?'
Valiant shook his head. mo-" h
said heavily, there Is no reason"
The boyish look sprang back t.
Lusk's face He drew long breath
why, then I WILL" he said. ''E-Tn
sorry If hurt you. Heaven knows
didn't want tc!"
AAo III doPSO LAo CtuoI Aduu Will I
mans heartiness and went up the roat
with swinging stride; and Valian
stood watching him go, with his hand
tight-clenched at his side.
.
A little later Valiant climbed tn,
sloping driveway Of Damory court. l
seemed to stare at him from a thou
sand reproachful eyes. The bachelo
red squirrel from his tree-crotcl
looked down at him askance. Th'
redbirds, flashing through the hedges
fluttered disconsolately. Cracker
the peacock, was shrieking from tn,
upper lawn and the strident discor'
seemed to mock his mood.
The great house had become hom
to him; he told himself that he woul,
make no other. The few things he ha
brought-his books and trophies-ha
grown to be part of it, and the,
should remain. The az should not b
4 laid to the walnut grove. AS his fa
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