Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1916-06-10

most anything else that turned to mis-
sionarying as last resort"
"0h, no." said the girl. sitting up
very straight in her chair and fixing
her eyes on his face. How wrong
you aral Nissionarying, MS you call It,
IS JUST another name for giving, and
how can one give great deal unless
one has a great deal to give-strength
and youth and Vitality"
And you have given all?" asked
Alan.
The girls eyes filed
mo, you haven't given ALL" went on
Alan quickly. You are still giving.
must not borrow your last mite.
But-your voice is like a nurses hand"
When Alan went to he'd he could not
sleep. For a while the little mission
airy girl held his thoughts. He was
filled with wonder, not at her, but at
himself. For once in his life he had
not been tiippant before grave things.
From the girl his thoughts turned to
Alix. He could have cabled to her
about Gerry from pernambuco, but he
had not done so. The note that he was
carrying for Gerry was light-only a
half-sheet probably. The lightness OF
it told Alan that the things Gerry had
to say to his wife could not be put on
paper. Alan had almost cabled. Now
he was glad he had not done so
"Alix," he said to himself. isn't wait.
ing, she's trusting A cable would
have heightened waiting by month. :"
Then, without volitlon, his mind
wandered from Alix aud raced ahead
to the goal OF his Journey. What was
the goal of his journey? Whittier was
be boundf He reached for Clem's let
ter and held it in folded hands. He
had no need to read it again. The
words were nothing; the picture was
all. 1t stretched before his mind a
living canvas.
/ Once when Alan was wandering
with an Englishman in the hills above
Granada. faint odor had brought
them to sudden halt 1t was the
ltnGiShman who made the surprising
discovery first "Blackberrtes. by
Jove.' he had exclaimed. Good old
biackberries. And then they two had
stood together, yet half world apart
and stared at 'he berry laden bush.
What vision of tangled, high walled
garden burst upon the Englishman
Alan never knew. but to himself had
come a memory Of East mountain in
autumn. so clear so poignant. that It
had brought his throbblng heart into
his throat
1t was so now with Clem's letter.
The words We're but a hurried duuh.
but they touched his eyes with a magic
wand. The daub became scene, a
picture, world his world.
Red Hill was spread out before him.
a texture where the threads aud ,oIors
Of life were blended into carpet soft
but enduring. Men walked an0 little
children played on it, Alan closed his
eyes and sighed. What had he been
doing with life? Making sackine?
Stacking was commercial. It paid in
cash. 1t WAS the national industry
But what could Que do with sacking on
Red Hill?
Then, almost suddenly. the full spirit
OF Clem'S letter seized him Ohe did
not take gifts TO Red Hill. To every
one of its children Red Hill was the
source of all gifts--the source Of life.
On that thought he slept
When he was back once more in his
rooms, before Swithson had had time
to open a bag. Alan re-directed Gerrys
note TO AliX TO Red Hin and sent
Swithson out to post It, He did not
try to temper the shock OF the note
with covering letter lie was too
weak and tired. Besides, he felt that
the note carried its own antidote to
joy,
The next morning n message came
by hand to Alan's rooms. Alix had
come to town and wished to see him at
once. Would he please come around?
He replied that he was too III. Half
an hour later Swthson answered a
ring at the door and Alix slipped
quickly past him into Alans sitting
room. There was a flush Of anger In
her cheeks, but Alan was pleased to
ste no trace of tears in her eyes.
woman's crying always touched him
on the raw and seldom awakened his
pity.
At sight Of bin Alx forgot her con
Germ for herself. why. Alan" she
cried, what is the matterI"