The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-09-21

time. The first thing, of course, is
whether we are going to hang together
or not"
Talbot had rather weird 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 Elinor's
sake, / suggest the first"
"And that is" Ellnor's voice was
unsteady.
"Send Boroday to Paris to dispose Of
your jewels. Then get conservative
lawyer to invest the money"
"And after thatT''
"Forget you ever knew any of u.s."
HUFF, across the table from her, went
white, but said nothing.
aYou said there was an alternntiye"
TlInor was white, too. The room was
profoundly still.
ITO keep on as we are at present,
with you. Elinor, acting in your ia
theirs stead, receiving and transmitting
messages. and--keeping the vault In
charge"
Boroday was on his feet In a mo-
ment, protesting. He would take the
Jewels and send them abroad. II was
risky, but it could be done. But this
outrageous arrangement that had been
suggested
"What we are, we are by choice he
finished. "You 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 1t came, was
unanswerable.
"where could I go? / know In all
the world only you four, and old Hem
riette, and q governess of mine who
has gone into convent In France. /
shall stay here with you all."
So 1t was settled.
That was an eventful evening, with
Ellnor, misty.eyed, moving into her ia
theirs chair at the table, and the band
swearing the simple cath of allegiance
which held them together. And when
they had moved from the dining room,
Walter Fluff, following Elinor out onto
the terrace, told her he loved her.
The starlight above, and those near
er stars that outlined the streets be-
low, threw soft radiance over her.
She was dressed in white; old Hilary
had dlsllked mourning garments. Eli
nor was looking down into the village.
Ft9t. Infg
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.
"Not that surely. was only think
ing"
"Of what2"
"Oh, of different things-of the peo'
pie down there In their houses-theii
lives, the things they believe; we thinl
| they are narrow, but / wonder, afte
all, IL you and /, who believe none o
those things, are not the narrow ones.
Hun was not subtle. Possibly h
would not have understood, had no
the Saint Jude's chimes rung just ther
symbols like that seem to mean $
much to them" said Elinor, and fe
silent.
In the warm silence, Hun felt TO
and found her hand.
"All this time, when I couldn't Sc
you" he said unsteadily, "Tve bee
thinking of you here alone, and Il
trouble. Sometimes I thought couldn'
stand 1t. that I'd have to come out an
see you, IL only for five minutes"
II have always been more or les
lonely. Sometimes l think If had bee
sent away to school. had known othe
girls, II would have been better.
have never had any friends-exceI
you, and the others"
Hun released her hand and face
her.
II don't want to be your friend, El
nor. l want to be much more"
. She was rather shocked ut first. 81
stood, looking up at him, her Iii
slightly parted.
1T ou--you-want--"
II love you. l want you to mari
: me, dear"
There was no doubt of the boys 81
certify. II rang true. He stood wi
= his arms out. and after a moment 81
went into them. Except for the faith
: who was gone, this was the first 10
u that had come into her life. She to-
! IL hungrily. In the starlight she he
y M her Hips like child for his kiss. !.
r Elinor, the Beautiful, finds So
III -.la.A la,t. natN