The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-11-08
CHAPTER VII.

Ward brought her cup OF coHee'
and stood by with satisfaction while
ahe drank 1t. In his eyes there was
mixture of depression and JOY. Inc
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 n rise he stopped
the car and looked back. The nights
devastation showed clearly, a black
wound In the smiling heart OF the val
ley.
Ellnor watched him.
at means a great deal to you, doesn't
HtT'
"It's rather q 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.
'T was there last night, alone. l
have q bad habit, when l have men"
tai problem to worry out, OF walking
up and down a room and lighting one
cigarette after another. I am reckless
with matches"
Then perhaps, after all, Walter had
not done It'll
The car climbed slowly. Ward kept
his eyes straight ahead. Elinor cast
1ittle shy glances at his profile.
"You said you had something to
worry out?"
He drew q long breath.
II 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 ungioved in heE
zap.
"Then you will be leavlng-us?
S'No," he said. II shall not be leaving
you."
"You like 1t here?"
every much" He turned and looked
down at her. It was unwlSe. He real
gxed that at once. So frail she looked
90 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 o.
the machine was all he dared. But q
the top of the steps EllnOr turned.
"You will never know just how sorr!
I am," she said, and went through he
garden to the house.
From that Friday morning until tn
evening of the following day Elmo
was quite alone.
Hour after hour she spent pacing tn
terrace, looking down into the valley
On Friday night, unable to sleep, sh
threw q negligee over her shoulder
and went down to her garden. TIL
village slept quietly, but there was
light in Wards small window near tn
church. She remained on the terrac
until the light was eXtinguished.
At dinner that Saturday BOroday'
empty place cast a gloom over tn
meal. Walter Huff came a little late
Under the ease Of his greeting ther
was touch Of uneasinesS as he me
EIlnor's eyes. When the servants lef
the room, Talbot leaned forward I
Walter.
"Now tell us about It," he said.
Huff was frankly triumphant, but
still avoided Elinor's eyes.
"Its working out exactly as kneV
It would" he explained. Having ono
had a parish house they cannot d
without 1t. The vestry carried onl
about q third enough insurance. An
there's another point in our favOr-th
rector's away. He's got rheumatism
They are going to take up an addittonG
purse to send him to Baden-Baden."
"WhenT
Tomorrow morning. And tomorrow
being Sunday, the assistant rector, Ell
nor's friend, will have 1t in charge III
Ill Monday morning."
~ shall warn him." said EllnOr sue
denly.
There was silence for moment. Ia
bot smiled. Lethbridge looked astounC
ed. Huff, bending forward with HI
arms out before him on the table, col
fronted Elinor squarely.
"That's It, is it?" he said.
81 asked you not to do-what yo
have done. The children used 1t a
the time. They played basketball ther
Besides, my wish should mean som
thing to you"
Huff shrugged his shoulders.
"If l had burned tenement full I
people"
"A man was nearly killed. He wl
on the ridge-pole of the church ar
they turned the full strength of Il
water on him. I saw 1t. I-almo
tainted"
"YOu saw It."
'T was there" snid Elinor quietly.
Huff rose angrily.
"You were therel And who was
who almost fell or the roof YO1
larson, suppose"
Talbot silenced the boy. 1t W
Hethbridge who took up the argumeI
wN understood her position and syI