Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-06-18

no, no." he protested. There
was nothing splendid about it. It was
only pride. You see the corporation
was my fathers great idea-the thing
h created and put his soul into-and
If was laundering. l know that would
have hurt him. One thing I've wanted
to say to you, ever since the day we
talked together-about the duel.
want to say that whatever lay behind
it, my fathers whole life was darkened
by that event. Now that I can put
two and two together, know that it
was the cause Of his sadness"
"Ah, I can believe that" she re-
piled.
q think he had only two interests
myself and the corporation. So you
see why I'd rather save that and be a
beggsr the rest of my natural life.
But I'm not beggar. Damory Court
alone is WORTH know it nova hun
dred times what l left"
You are so utterly different from
what I imagined youi"
q could never have imagined you"
he said, never"
Il must be terribly outre."
You are so many women in one.
When I listened to your harp playing
I could hardly believe it was the same
you I saw gaIIoping across the fields
that morning. Now you are a different
woman from both of those"
As she looked at him, her lips curled
cOrner-wise, her foot slipped on the
sheer edge Of the turf. She swayed
toward him and he caught her, feel
ing for a sharp instant the adorable
nearness Of her body. It ridged all his
skin with a creeping delight She re-
covered her footing with an exclama-
ton, and turned back somewhat abb
ruptly to the porch where she seated
herself on the step, drawing her fImy
skirt aside to make a place for him.
There was a moment of silence which
he broke.
That exquisite serenade you were
playing! You know the words, of
course"
They are more lovely, if possible,
than the score. Do you care for
poetry?"
I've always loved ii" he said I've
been reading some lately-a little old
fashioned book | found at Damory
Court. It's Lucille DO you know it?"
Yes. It's my mothers favorite."
He drew it from his pocket See,
I've got it here. It's marked, too"
He opened it, to close it instantly
not however, before she had put out
her hand and laid it. palm down, on
the page. That rose! Oh, let me
have it,"
Never" he protested. Look here.
When put it between the leaves, /
did so at random. didn't see till
now that l had opened it at a marked
passage"
Let US read it." she said.
He leaned and held the leaf to the
Eight from the doorway and the two
heads bent together over the text
A sound fell behind them and both
turned. A slight figure, in a soft gray
gown with old lace at the throat. STOOD
in the doorway behind them. John
Valiant sprang to his feet.
All, Shirley, l thought heard
voices, Is that you Chilly?"
It's not Mr.. Lusk, mother" said
Shirley. It's our new neighbor. Mr..
Valiant"
AS he bent over he fraiI hand. muir
muring the conventional words that
presentations are believed to require,
Mrs cambridge sank into a deep
cushioned chair. Wont you sit
down." she said He noticed that she
did not look directly at him, and that
her face was as pallid as her hair.
Thank you" said John Valiant. and
resumed his place on the lower step.
Shirley who had again seated her
self. suddenly laughed, and pointed to
the book which lay between them.
Imagine what We are doing, dearest!
We were reading Lucille together"
She saw the other vince, and the
deep dark eyes lifted. as if under com
pulsion, from the book-cover to Vail,
ants face. He was startled by Shir-
ley's cry and the sudden limp uncon-
scious settling back into the cushions
Of the fragile form.