The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-10-09

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, 81
love you, love you! No matter what
is between us, / shall always love
you"
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 little the weight Of
dumb impotence that he had borne.
In the library, lighted so brightly by
the sunlight, yet grave with the hush
looked into the face of the woman for
whose coming he had waited SO anx-
iously.
tits all-up, Judith" he said family.
1--WE come to the jumping-off place."
She looked at him Whitley. Monty,
Monty!" she cried. Don't leave me
this way! l 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-"
i
Poor old niger! He-used to tote
me on his back when l was a little
shaver" There was a silence. Don't
kneel, Judith" he said at length. "You
will be so tired"
She rose obediently and drew up q
chair. Monty" she faltered tremu
lousy, shall say prayer? I've new
er prayed much-my prayers never
seemed to get above the ceiling, some
how. But I'll-try."
He smiled wanly. 81 wouldn't want
any better than yours, Judith. But
seems as If I'd been prayed over
enough. l 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 1t to me-" She drew it from the
pocket and the uncertain fingers tool
out key. 1T opens a tin box in my
trunk. Theresa letter in 1t for you.
He paused moment, painting: "Ju
dith," he said, 1--WE got to tell you, bu
it's mighty hard. The letter
it's one Valiant gave me for you-tha
morning, after the duel. never gave
1t to YOU"
If she had been white before, sht
grew like marble now. Her slim fin
gers clutched the little cane till it rat
tied against the chair, and the lace a
her throat shook with her breathing
"Yes-Monty."
He lifted his hand with difficulty ant
put the key into hers. "The seals still
unbroken, Judith" he said, "but w,
kept it these thirty years."
She was holding the key in he
hands, looking down upon it. Their,
was strained half-fearful wonder IL
her face. For an instant she seemed
| qulIO W nave lOI6OllGH ulUl III III
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 fo
me-Sassoon and Valiant had the in
side track. You might have loved me
but l. had no chance with either o
them. Then came the duel. There wal
only Valiant then. / overheard hi
promise to you that night, Judith. HI
had broken that! II you cared NOR,
for him than for Sassoon, you nigh
have forgiven him, and l should have
lost you! / didn't want you to cal
him back, Judith! / wanted m.
chance! And SOL took it. That's
the reason, dear. lists bad one
int it,"