The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1914-05-20

that arm about the child IN tnaJ pro
tective, almost motherly gesture. 1t
made his own heartache more unbear.
able. Such a little time ago he had
felt that arm about him!
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, 1t was his presence that had now
become the unbearable thing. A cold
sweat broke on his forehead.
for l am a stranger with thee, and q
sojourner; as all my fathers were. o
spare me little. that / may recover
my strength before go hence. :"
The informing voice fell DULY on his
ears.
To go away! To pass out of har
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. 1t had seemed 60
clear that the barrier must in the end
t4II
thought Of surrender. Now he told
himself that fight 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
stant 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 tho .nnh-ans
gloom"
The voices of the invested choir
rose clearly and some one at his side
was whispering that this had bean the
majors favorite hymn. But he
scarcely heard.
When the service was ended tie
people filled the big yard while the
last reverent words were spoken Il tie
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
and the vision of her remained waver-
ing and indistinct-a pale blurred face
under shining hair.
He realized after q 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 own
Valiant noted that
Lusk's face seemed to have lost its
youthfulness. 1t was worn
as If with sleeplessness. and had
And all at once. while they stood look
ing at each other. Valiant knew what
the other had waited to say.
Il won't beat about the bush." said
Lusk stammering. I've got to ask
you something. reckon you've
guessed that THAT Shirley"
Valiant touched the young fellows
arm. YES" he said. Il think know"
Its no new thing. with me-" said
the other hoarsely. Its been three
years. The night of the ball, 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
Lusks face. He drew long breath.
why. then l WILL" he said. Tin
sorry If l hurt you. Heaven knows
didn't want tor
He grasped the others hand with a
mans heartiness and went up the road
with swinging stride; and Valiant
stood watching him go. with his hands
ught-clenched at his side
little later Valiant climbed the
sloping driveway of Damory court. 1t
seemed to stare at him from a thou
sand reproachful eyes. The bachelor
red squirrel from his tree-crotch
looked down at him askance. The
redbirds. flashing through the hedges,
nuttered disconsolately. Fire-Cracker,
the peacock. was shrieking from the