The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-10-12

The rain had ceased. leaving a
ragged sky OF clouds and stars IN
patches. The air vas warm and heavy
With wetnes-. Sidewalks glisfened IKE
black watered silk street lights mir
rored themselves in fugitive puddles
in the roadways: limbs OF trees over
hanging the sidewalks shivered now
and again in a haif-hearted breeze.
peiting the wayfarers with miniature
showers OF iukewarm. scented drops
Whitaker. taking HIS heart and his
fate In his hands. accosted a venerable
gentleman whom they encountered as
he was on the point of turning or the
sidewalk to private grounds.
II beg your pardon" be began.
The man paused and turned upon
them sanity eOuntenance framed IN
hair like snow.
There Il something I can do for
your he inquired with punctlllous
courtesy.
III you viii be kind enough TO d.
rect me 20 a minister ="
II am one"
Il thought so" said Whitaker. ~we
wish TO get married"
The gentleman looked from his face
to the girls, then moved aside from
the gate. This Is my home" be ex.
plained. "Wil you be good enough
to come in7"
Conducting them 10 his private
study, he subjected them TO a kindly
catechism. The girl said little. Whit
aker taking upon himself the brunt OF
the examination. Absolutely straight
forward and intensely sincere. ne came
through the ordeal well, without being
| obliged to disclose what ne preferred
to keep secret. The minister, salts
fled, at length called In the town clerk
by telephone; who issued the license.
pocketed his Zee, and In company with
the minister's wife, acted as wit
ness.
Whitaker found himself on his feet
beside Mary Ladislds. They were be-
Ing married. He seemed TO hear the
droning OF the loom OF the Fates. q.
And they were man and wife. The
door had closed, the gate-latch clicked
behind them. They were walking
quietly side by side through the scent
ed night, they whom God had Joined
together. Neither found anything 20
say. At the station, Whitaker bought
his wife a ticket 10 New York and Sc
cured for her solitary use drawing
room in the sleeper. Whitaker pos
sessed himself of his wife's handbag
long enough TO furnish il with a sum
of money and an old envelope bearing
the name and address OF his law part
ner. He explained that Drummond
would Issue her an adequate monthly
allowance and advise her when she
should have become her own mistress
once more; In a word. widow.
She thanked him briefly, quietly,
with cOnstralnt he understood too
well to resent.
Both, perhaps, were sensible OF some
relief when at length the train thun.
dered In from the East, breathing smoke
and flame. Whitaker helped his wife
aboard and interviewed the porter In
her behalf. Then theyihad a moment
or two alone In the drawing-room, In
what was meant to be their first and
last parting.
She caught him suddenly by the
shoulders with both her hands. Her
eyes sought his with wlstful courage
he could not but admire.
You know I'm grateful ="
Don't think OF 1t that way-though
I'm glad you are"
you're a good man." she said bro.
kenly.
He knew himself too well to be able
to reply.
You mustn't worry about me, now.
You've made things easy for me. /
can take care of myself. and =. 1
shant forget whose name 1 bear"
He muttered something to the effect
that he was sure of that.
She released his shoulders and stood
back, searching his face with torment.
ed eyes. Abruptly she offered him her
hand.
"Good-by." she said, her lips culver
ing-"GoOd-by, good friendw
He caught the hand, wrung Il
clumsily and painfully and
realized that the train was in motion.
He had barely time to get away .
He found himself on the station plat.
form, stupidity watching the rear lights
dwindle down the tracks and wonder
Ing whether or not hallucinntlons were
a phase OF his maiady. A sick man
often dreams strange dreams.
A voice behind him, cool with n trace
Of irony, observed:
'Td give good deal 20 know iust
what particular brand OF foollshness
you've been indulging in, this time"
He whirled around 70 face Peter
Stark-Peter quietly amused and very
much the master OF the situation.
you needn't think" said he. "that
you have any chance on earth OF escap-
ing my fond attentions. Hugh. I've
fixed IL up with Nelly to walt until r
bring you home, a well man. before
we get married; and if you refuse 20
be my best maxwell, there won't bo
any party. You car make up your
mind 70 that"
CHAPTER w.