Middletown transcript., 1917-09-08
CHAPTER VII.

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 was to marry another man.
But they would build another parish
house, and who knew
He drove her up the hill in his small
car. At the top of rise he stopped
the car and looked back. The nights
devastation showed clearly, q black
wound in the smiling heart Of the val
ley.
Elinor watched him.
"It means a great deal to you, doesn't
t?"
"Its rather a 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, | am
afraid I'm responsible.
II was there last night, alone.
have q bad habit, when l have men
tai problem to worry out of walking
up and down a room and lighting one
ellC ullCI oAAi ANNAhNHo
with matches"
Then perhaps, after oil, Walter had
not done it,
The car 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 a long breath.
81 have had an offer to go to New
York to a big church. It's rather
wonderful opportunity"
ElinOr made no sign except to clutch
her hands as they lay ungloved in her
lap.
"Then you will be leaving-us?"
mo" he said. II shall not be leaving
you"
you like it here?"
every much" He turned and looked
down at her. 1t was unwise. He real
tied that at once. So frail she looked,
so softly, tenderly feminine! And be-
cause he knew that, after the night,
he had not yet 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 negligee over her shoulders
and went down to her garden. The
village slept quietly, but there was
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 over the
meal. Walter Huff came a little late.
Under the ease Of his greeting there
was touch Of uneasiness as he met
Elinor's Seyes. When the servants left
the room, Talbot leaned forward to
Waller
"Now tell tls about it," he said.
Huff was frankly triumphant, but he
still avoided EllnOrS eyes.
"Its working out exactly as I knew
1t would" he explained. Having once
had a parish house they cannot do
without it. The vestry carried only
shout a 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 BadenBaden."
'When?
Tomorrow morning. And tomorrow
being Sunday, the assistant rector, Eli
nor's friend, will have it In charge IN
til Monday morning"
II shall warn him." said Elinor sud
denly.
There was silence for moment. Tai
bot smiled Lethbridge looked astound-
ed. Huff, bending forward with his
arms out before him on the table, con-
fronted Elinor squarely.
That's 1t, Is it?" he said.
II asked you not to do-what you
have done. The children used 1t all
the time. They played basketball there.
Besides, my wish should mean some
thing to yOu."
Huff shrugged his shoulders.
"If had burned tenement full OF
people"
"A man was nearly killed. He was
on the ridge-pole of the church and
they turned the full strength Of the
water on him. / saw it. I-almost
tainted"
"You saw it."
81 was there" said Elinor quietly.
Fluff rose angrily.
You were therei And who was II
Who almost fell off the roof? Your
narson, suppose"
Talbot silenced the boy. 1t was
Lethhridge who took up the argument.
He understood her position and SYM