Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-02
CHAPTER VIII.

l. weary, l came to that steep descent
have mentioned more than once, which
leads down into the Hollow, and her pale
radiance was already upon the world-a
sleeping world wherein 1 seemed alone
And as stood to gaze upon the wonder
of the heavens, and the serene beauty
of the earth, the clock in Cranbrook
Church chimed nine
And, presently, I descended into the
shadows, and, walking on beside the
brook, sat down upon a great boulder;
and, straightway, my weariness and hun
ger were forgotten, and 1 fell a-dream-
ing.
Now as 1 sat thus, chin in hand,
heard a little sound behind me, the rus
Ting of leaves, and, turning my head,
beheld one who stood half in shadow,
half in moonlight, looking down at me
beneath shy languor Of dropping lids,
with eyes hidden by their lashes-a
woman tail and fair. and strong as
Dian's self.
Very still she stood, and half wistful.
as II waiting for me to speak, and very
silent sat. staring up at her as she had
been the embodiment of my dreams con-
jured UP by the magic of the night, while,
from the mysteries of the woods stole
the soft, sweet song Of nightingale.
''Charmian?" said at last, speaking
almost in whisper. Surely this was
the sweet ROOueSS nefSelI, anu lnt
wondering shepherd on Mount Ida's soli-
tude.
"Charmian" said again. ''you-have
come them" with the words l rose.
"You have come. then?" / repeated
But now she sighed little, and, turn
ing her head away, laughed very sweet
and low-and sighed again.
Were you expecting me?"
"I-I think 1 was-this is-I-I don't
knoUi" 1 stammered.
Then you were not-very surprised to
see me7"'
mo"
And you are not-very sorry to see
me?'
mo"
"And-are you not very-glad to see
me?"
Yes"
Here there fell a silence between us,
yet a silence that was full OF leafy stir
rings, soft night noises and the murmur
of the brook. Presently Chairman reached
out a hand, broke off a twig of willow
and began to turn 1t round and round
in her white fingers, while sought vainly
for something to say.
when / went away this morning" she
began at last, looking down at the twig.
'I didn't think / should ever come back
again"
mo. IL supposed not" said I awk-
wardly.
"But, you see. had no money"
mo money!"
mot a penny. 1t was not until had
walked a long. long way and was very
tired. and terribly hungry. that 1 found
hadn't enough to buy even crust Of
bread"
"And there was three pounds. fifteen
shillings and six-pence IN Donald's old
shoe" said l.
"Sevenpencer' she corrected.
"Sevenpence?" said I. In some sur
prise
sevenpence. counted IT,"
"Ohv said i.
she nodded. "And in the other found
small. very euriously shaped piece OF
wood"
"Ah-yes, I've been looking for that
all the week. You see, when made my
table, by some miscalculation, one ies
persisted In coming out shorter than the
| others, which necessitated its being
block"
'sMr. Peter Vibarts Virgil boOkr' she
said. nodding to the twtg.
sY-e-s!" said I. somewhat disconnected
"It was a pity to use book" she
went on. still very intent upon the twig
"even n that book does belong TO a mar
with such a name as Peter Wharf"
Now presently, seeing l was silent
she stole a glance at me and looking
| laughed.
"But," she continued more seriously
| this has nothing 70 do with you. oi
| course nor me, for that matter, and
was trying 20 tell you how hungry-how
| hatefiliy hungry ] was. and couldn't
| beg. could /, and so--and so IL"
''You came back" said I.
IT came back"
being hungry"
"Famishingi"
Three pounds. nfteen shiliinss. and
sevenpence IL not a great sum-" said
'.but perhaps It will enable you 10 reael
/ your family"
"Pm afraid not; you see ! have NJ
/ family"
.sYour friends. thslL"
IT have no friends; ! am alone m th'
| world"
'.ohr' said /. and turned To stare int,
| the brook. for ! could think only tina
she was alone and solitary. even as l
which seemed like an invisible bond be
tween US, drawing us each nearer tn,
other, whereat felt ridiculously pleases
that this should be 80.
mo" said Chairman. still intent upol
the tWis. Il have neither friends no
family nor money. and so-belng huner,
= came back here. and ate up All tn
bacon"
CONTINUED MoNpAxl