Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-08-14
THE SHAPE OF CLAY

The narrow, gray eyes of his COM
panion flashed for the space Of q
heartbeat, and slow fleck of color
crept into his dark 'cheek1 Then the
look of apathy, Of numbing weariness
returned. W.
He checked the words that rose to
his lips, and at the instant they stop.
ped at the step OF private car.
Brookfield spoke to the porter sta
toned there. w
"Peters," he said, TASK Mr. Brook
field and Miss Arlington to Join US. I
believe they're out there"
The man touched his cap with
wooden smile and disappeared down
the crowded platform.
AS Brookfield and his companion
mounted the steps and entered the
paneled and rose satin-upholstered
drawing-room of the car, woman
laid upon her knee the magazine she
had been reading, and looked up with
cool blue eyes.
For an instant she sat quite still.
and in the doorway the newcomer
stood as still as she.
Then she rose and held out her
hand.
my son, we all admired your rid
ing. We are glad you came to no
harm"
She spoke as one whose lips are
stiff with cold and refuse utterance.
At the end of the car Brookfield
was diving, with his back toward
them. into cupboard, on hospitable
thoughts intent.
The rancher glanced toward him
then at the womans outstreched
hand. very deliberately he folded his
arms across his chest.
"You are too kind to think of my
welfare" he said in a low voice, but
the level tone was keen as the sting
of whiplash, and its suavity matched
her own.
Between his narrowed lids his eyes
appraised her relentlessly - her slim
grace, her costly dress, the magnifi-
cent jewels on her hands, the pearls
about her throat.
AS they confronted each other,
young Brookfeld emerged from the
cupboard with sherry and glasses.
The woman turned to him swiftly.
go out, Jim," she said in her soft
vioce, land find the others-Miss AL
lington and-your father. They may
walk too for into the desert and be left.
l feel anxious. You"-she turned to
the waiting rancher with her sweet
smile-"you will excuse him for few
moments, / am sure"
Brookfield secuted her fears, but
declared joyously, nevertheless, that
he would "round up" the explorers in
no time. He deposited his burden on
the table and dashed out.
AS he disappeared the woman made
q swift step forward to the man con.
fronting her, her hands wrung hard
together.
"oh, Jim! For Gods sake don't tell
-now-after all these years!" she
whispered. ut would ruin him, too
your son. He is going to be married
TO wonderful girl 1t would ruin
him, tell you.
EVA Allington's people would ne
yer consent to her marriage with
my son-if they knew. And the girl
III she married him in spite of all
think of the bitterness in his heart
the shadow between them. And
Brookfield-Brookheld, Jim. When /
married him, told him you-were
dead"
Her voice ceased abruptly on the
heavy silence in the car.
Her hands that had clutched and
torn at each other, went to her tenn
ples as she stared palely at him.
The mans arms unclasped and fell
to his sides, and his fingers clenched
slowly until the cords stood out.
Still sheltering yourself behind my
son." he said at length. my son
whom you have robbed of my name,
and taught to believe me dead. / saw
the man you call your husband stand.
Ing on the car steps with the boy.
! puzzled over q resemblance to my
self that perhaps ! was keener to see
than others.
later saw you, with the man
whom you have taught my son to call