Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-15


fight with him would deter him from
his main object. the money.
TO save Ward, she was willing, even
anxious. to let Walter succeed.
Women sometimes meet large crises
with small vapities. But ElinOr had
no vanity. Without so much as Il
glance ut the mirror she went out in
to the garden to listen for Wards step
on the road. She knew his walk al
ready; the fOrceful, certain step Of an
energetic and purposeful man.
The Illuminated dial on the steeple
Of the Baptist church showed some
thing after ten when Ward finally
came up the hill. The relief of seeing
him unframed sent Elinor down the
terrace steps with both hands out.
Before he could take them, Ward was
Obliged to stOOp and deposit on the
ground at her feet q small box that
he carried.
1.-THE morning collection" he said
smiling, and took her hands in his.
I
Her quick alarm showed in her face.
But you are reckless! To 20 about
with SO much money"
Ward was following her up the
steps
II dare say 1t Is safer with me than
any place else in the world. Did any
one ever hear Of an assistant rector
going about with fortune In his
hand?'
He followed her into the library and
placed the box On the great table
: where old Hilary had been wont to
/ divide the annual earnings of the band.
/ Ward pointed to it with his humorous
smile.
"Would anyone suspect" he said
that in that box there Is stone par
ish house, new church organ, and a
chlldren's Playground"
Then, glancing at her with keen
eyes, he was struck by her pallor.
you to ask me if l am tired" he
cried. "Why, you poor child, it is you
who are worn out. Wouldn't it be bet
ter to have me come tomorrow and 90
over the things you--spoke aboutT
81 think we had better talk about
them now" said Elinor, desperately
calm.
At quarter before eleven that Sun
day night old Henrlette, bent on her
evening task of sending Elinor to bed,
wandered into the library. She found
Ward, his earnest face glowing, ex-
pounding the tenets Of his faith from
the edge of his chair; and Elin0r ~
ing back with her face drawn, watch
ing the clock on the mantel.
Old Henriette, astounded, withdrew,
not to sleep, but with the wakeful
alertness of old age, TO wander up and
down the garden paths until such time
as Elinor's visitor might leave.
Ward suddenly realized that he was
making small Roadway. When ut last
he caught Elinor's eyes on the clock
he flushed and rose.
i've done it all very badly" he
said. Il seem to wander all about
and not get anywhere. You see it's
all so real to me"
Elinor had leaned back with closed
eyes.
ut is all very terrible to me- she
replied. This God of vengeance"
This God of tenderness and mercy"
Ward supplemented. Don't you see
what it all means? How terrible this
life would be if this were all Our
little lives, full of jealousies and
hatreds and crimes: | bringing that
box, over there on the table, up here
with me tonight, because | dare not
trust it to my fellow men; | who could
not sleep last night for thinking of
you, who are all that is good and sweet
and tender, up here alone in this great
house, with God knows what danger
lurking about"
Elinor had reached her limit. The
band of her self-control snapped. She
could not hold him much longer, and
before he went he must know.
"When sent for you" she said, 81
had two reasons. wanted to see you.
Please ~ As he took Il step toward
her. "And wanted to save you from
something that know Of"
Something in her thinly drawn voice
was familiar.
II see" Ward said slowly. ut was
you who telephoned me and then rang
off,"
"When you say that I am good and
tender" Elinor went on, "you shame
me. | am all that is bad and wicked
Everything. You were to have been
robbed tonight. | brought you here
under false pretense."
Ward was rs white as she. His fig.
ure Strengthened,
"Then all the time that have been
telling you-"
Il did not hear. was watching the
time
Personpl fear Ward had none. liz
did not even follow Ellnor's eyes AZ
they glanced once more at the clock
Mrs. Bryant's venomous lnsinuntions
came back to him, all the village talk
of the girls strange rearing Fearful
thoughts flashed into his mind, to be
disnll ssed, shaken Off doggedly.