Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-10
t(JMAl2Y ROBERTS PINEHARI
AUTHOR or X" The FAhM LOVER 1EN'ETc.

and glanced around the table.
1T seems to me-" he began. ''that we
have lot to decide tonight. I've. been
thinking about 1t ever since-fOr some
time. The first thing, of course is
whether we are going to hang together
or not"
Talbot had rather q weilS sense of
humor. He suggested that the word
hang be changed to REMAIN"
We've been doing well. Wen do
all right again, too, as soon as this
thing blows over. 1t was unlucky, but
we've been pretty fortunate. Now we
can do one Of two things. For Elinors
sake, | suggest the first"
"And that Is" ElinOr's voice was
unsteady.
"Send Boroday to Paris to dispose Of
your jewels. Then get conservative
lawyer to invest the money"
"And after thatY'
"Forget you ever knew any Of u.s."
Hun, across the table from her, went
white. but snid nothing.
"YOu said there was an alternative? 2"
Elin0r was white, too. The room was
profoundly still.
ITO keep on as we are Mt present.
with you. Elnor, acting In your FL.
her's stead. receiving and transmitting
messages, and-keepins the vault in
charge"
Boroday was on his feet in a mo-
ment, protesting. He would take the
Jewels and send them abroad. 1t was
risky. but 1t could be done. But this
outrageous arrangement that had been
suggested--
"What we are. we are by choice" he
finished. "Yon have never had choice.
and now 1t is given to you. For Gods
sake, child, go away now, while you
may"
Elnor's reply, when it came, was
unanswerable.
"Where could 60? l know in all
the world only you four. and old Hen
riette. and gOverness Of mine who
has gone into a convent in France. I
shall stay here with you ALL
So 1t was settled
That was an eventful evening. with
ElinOr, misty-eyed. moving into her IA
theirs chair at the table. and the band
swearing the simple oath of allegiance
which held them together. And when
they had moved from the dining room.
Walter Huff. following Elinor out onto
the terrace. told her he loved her.
The starlight above. and those near.
or stars that outlined the streets be-
low, threw soft radiance over her.
She was dressed in white; old Hilary
Ind disllked mourning garments. Eli
nor was looking down into the village.
The great splre of Saint Jude's tow
cred above the town. HUFF, young and
ardent, thrilled to the girls presence
close beside him.
"YOu are very aloOf tonight" he said.
She smiled up at him.
mot that surely. l was only think.
Ing"
"Of what?"
"Oh. Of different things--of The peo-
pie down there In their HOUSES their
lives, thn things they believe: we think
they ARE narrow. but wonder, after
all IT you aud |, who believe none OF
those things ARE not the narrow ones"
HUFF was not subtle. Possibly he
would not have understood Had not
the Saint Jude's chimes rung Just then.
symbols like that seem to mean so
much to them" said EllnOr, and fell
silent.
In the warm silence, Hun felt for
and found her'hand.
"All this time, when | couldn't see
you" he said unsteadily, 1--WE been
thinking Of you here alone, and In
trouble. Sometimes | thought I couldn't
stand it. that I'd have to come out und
see you, If only for five minutes"
II have always been more or less
lonely. Sometimes think n I had been
sent away to school, had known other
girls, It would have been better. !
have never had any friends--except
you, and the others
Huff released her hand and faced
her.
II don't want to be your friend, Eli
nor. | want to be much more"
She was rather shocked ut first. She
stood, looking up at him, her lips
slightly parted.
II? Y0u-yOu--want--"
II love you. ] want you to marry
me-. dear"
There was no doubt Of the boys sin.
certify. II rang true. He stood with
his arms out, and after q moment she