Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-11-26

room for her own Offering.
Poor dear!" she murmured aud
ibly "God didn't spare you for much
happiness, did he?"
a voice, deep. resonant, kindly,
spoke few feet away. "Who is it,"
shirley, startled. turned swiftly.
seated across the little amphitheater
IN lumberjack's easy-chair fashioned
from an old barrel, John Cardigan sat.
his sightleSs gaze bent upon her. "Who
is it?" he repeated.
Shirley Sumner" she answered.
You Go not know me, Mr.. Cardigan"
NO." replied he II do not. That
Is a name have heard, however. You
are Seth Pennington's niece. Is some
one with your
Il am quite alone Mr.. Cardigan"
And why did you come here aloneT
he queried
II wanted to think"
"You mean you wanted to think
clearly, my dear. All, yes. this is the
place for thoughts" He was silent
a moment. Then: "You were think
ing aloud, Miss Shirley Sumner. l
heard you. You said: Poor dear
God didn't spare you for much hap
piness, did hep Then you knew
about her being here"
Eyes, sir. Some ten years ago,
when l was very little girl. l met
your son Bryce. He gave me a ride
on his Indian pony, and we came here.
SO remember"
swell. declared Ten years ago,
Ell? You've met, Ell? You've met
Bryce since his return to Sequoia,
believe. He's quite a fellow now"
''He is indeed"
John Cardigan nodded sagely. $50
that's why you thought aloud" he re
marked impersonally. Bryce told you
about her. You are right, Miss Shir-
ley Sumner. God didn't give her
much time for happiness-Just three
years; but oh, such wonderful years !
Such wonderful years
at was mighty fine of you to bring
flowers" he announced presently. 81
appreciate that. / wish could see
you. You must be a dear, nice, thought
full girl. Won't you sit down and talk
to me?"
81 should be glad to-" she answered,
and seated herself on the brown car
pet of redwood twigs close to his
chair.
$50 you came up here to do lit
tie clear thinking" he continued in
his deliberate, amiable tones. DO
you come here often?"
This is the third time in ten years"
she answered. 81 feel that / have
no business TO intrude here. This is
your shrine, and strangers should not
profane it,"
II think I should have resented the
| presence of any other person, Miss
Sumner. 1 resented you-until you
| spoke"
I'm glad you said that, Mr.. Cardi-
gan. 1t sets me ct ease"
II hadn't been up here for nearly
two years until recently. You see I
Il dent own the Valley of the Giants
any more"
Indeed. To whom have you sold
it?"
az do rot know, Miss Sumner. ] had
to sell; there WIS no other way out
Of the jam Bryce and | were in; 50
1 sacrificed nly sentiment for my boy.
However. the new owner has been
wonderfully kind and thoughtful She
reorganized that old skid-road so even
an old blind duffer like me can find
his way in and out without getting
lost-and she had this easy-chair made
for me. ] have told Judge Moore. who
represents the unknown owner, to ex-
tend my thanks to his client. But
words are so empty, Shirley Sumner.
If that new owner could only under
| stand how grateful / am-how pro-
foundly her courtesy touches me"
"IIer courtesyT' Shirley echoed.
''Did a woman buy the GiantsT
He smiled down at her. why,
certainly. Who but a woman--eHd
dear kind. thoughtful woman-w0uld
have thought to have this chair made
and brought up here for me?"
Fell long silence between them;
then John Cardigan's trembling hand
went cropping out toward the girls.
.sWhy. how stupid of me not to have
Guessed IT immediately he said.
aYou are the new owner. My dear
child. If the silent prayers of very
unhappy old man win bring Gods
blessing on you-there. there, girl! !
didn't intend to make you weep. What
a tender heart II is, TO be sure :"
She took his great toil-worn hand,
and her hot tears fell on It. for HIS
gentleness. his benignancy. had touch
ed her deeply. "oh. you must not tell
ANYBODY! You mustn't" she cried.
He put his hand on her shoulder as
she knelt before him. "Good land Of
love, girl, what made you do It? Why
should a girl like you give a hundred
thousand for my Valley of the Giants?
Were OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES I'M
cIe's agent?"
mo I bought Il myseif-with my