The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1914-11-10

haIf the night In fearful anxiety. It
was Valiant who had solved the riddle.
In her first wild conjunction, Hickey
had gasped out the story of her meet
Ing with Greet King, his threat and
her own terrorized silence, and when
he heard of this he had guessed her
whereabouts. He had found her at
the Dome, in the deserted cabin from
which on a snowy night six years ago,
Shirley had rescued her. She had fed
there In her shabbiest dress, her toys
and trinkets left behind, taking with
her only q string Of blue glass beads
/ that had been Shirley's last Christmas
present.
Let me stay!" she had walled. "Tm
not fit to live down there! It's all my
fault that it happened. l was coward.
ought to stay here in HelPs -Half-Acre
forever and everi" Valiant had car
ried her back in his arms down the
mountain-she had been too spent to
walk.
He thought of this now as he saw
that arm about the child in that 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 ne who was to blame!
1t came to him with 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. &c.
for I am stranger with thee, and a
sojourner; as all my fathers were o
spare me little, that l may recover
my strength before l go hence. ;"
The informing voice fell duly on his
ears.
To go away! To pass out of her
life, to a future empty of her? How
could 70 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
it's 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
was whispering that this had been the
majors favorite hymn. But he
scarcely heard.
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. 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 one 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 it's
sxuberant youthfulness. 1t was worn
IS if with sleeplessness, and had
ook of suffering that touched him.
And all at once, while they stood look
lng at each other, Valiant knew what
he other had waited to say.
Il won't beat about the bush," said
Lusk stammering. I've got to ask
you something. 1 reckon you've
guessed that THAT Shirley"
Valiant touched the young fellows
arm. YES" he said, 81 think l know"
Its no new thing, with me" said
The other hoarsely. TITS 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
Lusk's face. He drew long breath.
why, then 1 will" he said. Tin
sorry if 1 hurt you. Heaven knows 1
| didn't want tot"
He grasped the others hand with
mans heartiness and went up the road
with a swinging stride; and Valiant
stood watching him go, with his hands
| ight-clenched at his side.
A 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. ire-Cracker,