The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-01-08
minor detail being attended to with

4
worker came to the doorway where he
had paused on that long-past autumn
morning of his first awakening there.
and stood gazing for the last time
upon what had been the field of his
labors these many months; and as he
looked about, 1t seemed as though his
| heart would break at the thought Of
leaving 1t. But go he must.
Clenching his hands. he called him
self fool, speaking aloud in his pain.
For moment the wild hope came to
him that he might, after all. stay on;
or, at least. return; and then with re-
newed clearness the urgent reasons
for departure came surging back. His
secret, which Iris knew. was no longer
safe. His mother, whose entreaties
he dared not face, was living In the
very same city, and might at any mo-
ment meet with him. Then there was
Hill. He had found Iris, and all must
be well between them, for had not Bell
Milligan told how they had gone of
together? This happy occurrence
would end Hills reasons for staying
away. More, the painter had returned
! Mr. Jones, the only pledge Pedro had
given him, thereby ending the bargain.
Then, too, In few weeks 1t would be
spring, and the hedgerows would
broad highway would call and call.
But none Of these Is the great rea-
son!" cried Pedro aloud. Holy moth
er, have mercy upon me! The real
reason Is Leigh! 1t Is he, it Is he
whom cannot endure to leave! Yet
go must. Suppose he should suspect
me! What would he say to such as
| Ia wild holden thing who had defled
and broken all the ties of womanhood?
Holy madonna! Have pity!"
His arms few wide, as II to en-
brace the knees of the Virgin, and his
face was drawn with anguish.
81 can never atone for my actions!"
he thought. IF he discovers that am
woman, he will always despise me!
Better leave to him the memory of a
| boy friend whom he loved and who
ran away!"
Then, gathering up his courage, he
went final round of the dearly loved
workshop, caressing each object as
he passed, as though 1t had been ami
mate. Everywhere were things that
reminded him of Leigh. There they
had sat and talked on such night;
here he had perched while he showed
some tricks of technique; together
they had stood at this window looking
over the roof-tops at the city which
they had talked of identifying, and
beside this table he had often drawn
chair, when they sat down to share
a scanty meal and an abundance of
talk on subjects dear to them. Oh!
it was too cruel, too full OF poignant
memories, this place! Nothing was
to be gained by tarrying, but wounds,
fresh wounds, added to that which he
was doomed to carry forever! Since
going was inevitable, best go quickly
and be done. To run away down the
dark stair, along the cold street
away, away, to the blossoming South
land and the search for forgetfulness.
With set lips he put on hat and coat,
extinguished the candle, and by the
dim glow of the banked fire, began to
gather up the belt Of the knapsack.
Then a sound on the staircase caused
his heart To give a great leap, after
which it seemed to stop beating alto
| gether. Nearer and nearer came the
familiar step, and then, without pause
it crossed the landing and the door
was burst open to admit the towering
figure of Abraham Lincoln Leigh.
Are you there?" the deep voice
asked commandingly, as the man
peered into the gloom.
T-yes!" answered Pedro weakly.
Thank God!" exclaimed Leigh.
Then, as his eyes became accustomed
to the darkness, he placed her.
Il was just going" began Pedro
family, &"
"Sit down beside me-" said Leigh
gently but firmly, 81 want to say sew
eral things to YOU"
"Yes, but" protested the girl.
"Sit down, my DEAR" said Leigh,
striking light.
There was tense silence while he
lit the lamp, the soft glow presently
revealing them to each other. Then
Pedro slowly obeyed the strangely put
command, and they sat silently for a
long moment, loking into each others
eyes with that perfect understanding
that had been theirs from the first.
Oh! How could she have doubted him
for an Instant There was no misun-
Outstanding the meaning Of that
"dear"--nor of the tone in which he
had spoken 1t. A wild tingling sensa-
ton began to dance through her veins,
and at the light in his eyes a deep
flush began to creep over her face,
feminine enough now, despite its frame
Of close-cut curls. At length she spoke,
never taking her eyes from his.
so you know" she said superfiu.
ously.
YES"
| oIJow LONG hava ~~hrf kuown7"