The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1917-09-07
CHAPTER wi.
50


Ward brought her a cup of coffee,
md stood by with satisfaction while
she drank it. In his eyes there was a
mixture of depression and JOY. The
parish house was gone. and this girl
before him vas to marry another a
But they would build another parish
house, and who knew
He drove her - the hill in his small
Ear At the top Of a rise he stopped
the car and looked back. The nights
dev astation showed clearly, a black
wound in the smiling heart of the val
ley.
Elinor watched him.
ut means a great deal to you, doesn't
it?"
ITS rather n facer- OF course we
will build again, but there are things
that could not be replaced. That isn't
what troubles me. The fact is, I am
afraid I'm responsible.
Il was there last night, alone. I
have a bad habit. when / have a men,
tai problem to worry out. OF walking
up and down q room and lighting one
cigarette after another. / am reckless
with matches"
Then perhaps, after oil, Walter had
not done 1t!
The a climbed slowly. Ward kept
his eyes straight ahead. Elinor cast
little shy glances at his profile.
you said you had something to
worry Out?"
He drew n long breath.
Il have had an offer to go to New
York to a big church. It's rather a
wonderful opportunity"
Elinor made no sign except to clutch
her hands as they lay ungloved In her
lap.
'Then you will be leaving-us?"
"No,' he said. II shall not be leaving
you."
"You like 1t here?"
"Very much" He turned and looked
down at her. 1t was unwise. He real
ICED that ut once. So frail she looked,
SO softly, tenderly feminine! And be-
he knew that, after the night,
he had not vet got control over himself,
the merest hand-clasp as she got out of
the machine was all he dared. But at
the top of the steps Elinor turned.
"You will never know Just how sorry
! am." she said, and went through her
garden to the house.
From that Friday morning until the
evening of the following day Elinor
was quite alone.
Hour after hour she spent pacing the
terrace, looking down into the valley.
On Friday night. unable to sleep, she
threw a negligce over her shoulders
and went down to her garden. The
village slept quietly; but there was a
light In Wards small window near the
church. She remained on the terrace
until the light was extinguished.
At dinner that Saturday Boroday's
empty place cast a gloom V e the
meal. Walter Huf came a little late.
Under the ense OF his greeting there
was a touch Of uneasiness as he met
Ellnor's eyes. When the servants left
the room, Talbot leaned forward to
Walter.
NOW tell us about It," he said.
1AUl WIS AIAANiy tIluAuP11NAl UUt lac
still avoided Elinor's eyes.
ITS working out exactly rs I knew
Il would" he explained. Having nee
Lad 4 parish house they cannot do
without It. The vestry carried only
about 4 third enough insurance. And
there's another point In our favor-the
rector's away. He's got rheumatism.
They are going to take up an additional
purse to send him to Baden-Baden."
"Whenf'
Tomorrow morning. And tomorrow
being Sunday, the assistant rector. Eli
nor's friend. viii have Il In charge nm
I'll Monday morning"
Y shall warn him." said Elinor sud
denly.
There was silence for d moment. Tai
bot sndlel. Lethbridge looked astound-
"a. Hun. bending forward with his
arms out before him on the table, con-
fronted Ell1or squarely. ]
That's Il, IL IT." he said.
II asked you not to do-whnt you
have done. Tho children used 1t all
the time. They played basketball there.
Besides, my Wish should mrnn ON
thing r. Pm"