Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1914-07-02

t~ective, almost motnerly gesture. Il
made his own heartache more unbear
able. Such a little time ago he had
felt that arm about himi
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 1t was he who was to blamei
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. e.
for | am a stranger with thee, and a
s%ojourner; as all my fathers were. o
spare MT a little, that l 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 a future empty of her? How
could he do that? When he had part
ed from her in the rain he had felt a
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
al whispering that this had been the
majors ~favorite hymn. But he
scarcely heard.
When the service was ended the
people filled 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 a time that the
yard was empty and the sexton was
locking the church door. He went
slowly to the gate, and just outside
some n 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
Lusk's face seemed to have lost its
exuberant yo~uthfulness. 1t was worn
as If 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.
II won't beat about the bush," said
Lusk stammering. 1--WE got to ask
you something. l reckon you've
guessed that THAT Shirley"
Valiant touched the young fellows
YES" he said, Il think l know"
TITS no new thing, with me-" said
the other hoarsely. ITS been three
years. The night Of the ball, l thought
perhaps that don't mean to ask
what you might have a right to resent
but | must find out. Is there any
reason why 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 a long breath.
Why, then | will" he said. Tim
sorry il l hurt you. Heaven knows l
didn't want to!"
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.
y y n
A little later Valiant climbed the
driveway of Damory court. 1t
seemed to stare at him from a thou
sand r%eproachful eyes. The bachelor
red squirrel from his tree-crotch
looked down at him askance. The
redbirds, flashing through the hedges,
f1uttered d~isconsolately. Fire-Cracker,
the peacock, was s%hrieking from the
upper lawn and the strident discord
seemed to mock his mood.
The great house had become home
him; he told himself that he would
make no other. The few things he had
brought-his books and trophies-had
grown to be a part of it, and they
should remain. The ak should not be
laid to the walnut grove. AS his IA
condition he succeeded in bringing it
to Fredericksburg alive. It is sup