The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1914-06-25
THE VALIANTS Oh
VIRGINIA
( If
(Continued from Page 81

kAO 6dA ACAs
Al they passed Valiant. she held ou
her hand to him. There was no wor
between them, but as his hand swa
lowed hers, his heart said to her, "
love you, love you! No matter wha
10 between us, shall always Low,
you'll"
II VS. wordless. heart-whisper tina
only love itself could hear. and h,
could read no answer In the deey
pools OF her eyes. heavy now with un
shed tears. But in some subtle way
his poiceless greeting comforted and
lightened 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 anx-
iously.
IT'S all-up Judith" he said family.
1--WE come to the jumping-off place"
She looked at him Whitley. Monty,
Aontyl" she cried. Don't leave me
this wayl 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 | was 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-
lousy, shall say a prayer? I've new
err prayed much-my prayers never
seemed to get above the ceiling, some
how But Ill-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
all the time"
He seemed to have been gathering
bis resolution, and presently his hand
over his breast. My wallet;
give it to me-" She drew 1t from the
pocket and the uncertain fingers took
out key. 1T opens tin box In my
trunk. Theresa letter In 1t for you"
He paused a moment, painting: "Ju-
iith," he said, Eve got to tell you, but
It's mighty hard. The letter
It's one Valiant gave me for you--that
morning, after the duel. ] never gave
I to you"
II she had been white before, she |
rev like marble now. Her slim fin |
,ers clutched the little cane till 1t rat
led against the chair, and the lace at |
Ter throat shook with her breathing. |
Yes-Monty."
He lifted his hand with difficulty and
nut the key into hers. "The seals still
nbroken. Judith" ne said, but I've
ept 1t these thirty years"
She was holding the key in her
ands, looking down upon it. There
'as strained half-fearful wonder In
er face. For an instant she seemed
ute to have forgotten him in the
rip of some swift and painful emo
on.
Il loved you, Judith" he STAN
lered in anguished appeal From
lie time we were boy and girl togeth-
:. loved you. You never cared for
and Valiant had the In
de track. You might have loved me;
ut | had no chance with either OF
lem. Then came the duel There was
lly Valiant then. | overheard his |
'omise to you that night, Judith. He 4
I'd broken that! II you cared more |
r him than for Sassoon, you might
i've forgiven him, and should have !
st you'll / didn't want you to call !
m back, judith! l wanted my
Iance! And SOL took it. That's 8
e reason, dear. lists bad one,
t it,"
A SILVER went over her set face !
re breath of wind over tall grass, .
ID she seemed to come back from an
finite distance to place and moment.
,tween the curtains a white butter 1,
lowered an instant, and in the yard !,
e heard the sound of some winged =
ing fiuttering. The thought darted ),
her that it was the sound of her
IN dead heart awaking. She looked i,
the key and all at once put hand y
her mouth as though to still words :
lmoring there
Judith" he said TREMENDOUSLY. be- G
cen short struggles for breath, "all :
sse years, after ! found there was :
chance for me. reckon I've ',
aged only one prayer God, let it y,
Sassoon that she lovedp And I've -
aged that mighty near every day. :
e thought that maybe it was Valiant
5 haunted me like a ghost. You >.
yer told--and never dared ask you. -
iith--"
Her face was still averted. and when !.
z did not speak he turned his head :,
m aer on the pillow. with a breath :,
It was almost moan. She started, :,
king at him an instant in piteous -
then swiftly kissed the lit -
key and closed her hand tight upon =,
Truth? She saw only the pillow :,
the CRAVING face upon il! She ~
ew herself on her knees by the \,
lch and laid her lips on the pallid co