The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-10-07

V H-HHHf - HA+H-4+
I 80 remember
"weli. / declared Ten years sgo
chr You've met. eh9 You've met
Bryce since his return 10 sequoia. /
believe. He's quite q fellow now" I"
He Is indeed"
John Cardigan nodded sagely. $50
I that's why you thought aloud. he re-
marked lmpersonally. Bryce told you
about her. You are right. Miss Shir-
ley Sumner. Cod didnt give her
much time for happiness--just three
I years; but oh. such wonderful years
such wonderful years
1T was mighty fine Of you 10 bring
flowers" he announced presently. Il
appreciate that. wish could see
you. lou must se dear. nice. thought
ful girl. Won't you SIT down and talk
TO me?"
Il should be glad TO-" she answered.
and seated herself on the brown car
pet Of redwood twigs close 10 his
chair
So you came up here 10 do lit
tie clear thinking" he continued in
his deliberate, amiabIe tones. do
you come here oftenT"
This IS the third time in ten years"
she answered Il feel that | have
no business TO intrude here. Tits Is
your shrine, and strangers should not
profane H."
II think | should have resented the
presence OF any other person. Miss
Sumner. resented you-until you
spoke"
''rm glad you said that, Mr.. Csrdl-
gan. II sets me AZ ease"
II HADN'T been up here for nearly
two years until recently. You see I
Il don't own the Valley OF the Giants
any more"
"Indeed. To whom have you sold
it,"
II do not know, Miss Sumner. I had
TO sell; there WAS no other way out
Of the jam Bryce and | were in; so
! sacrificed my sentiment for my boy.
However. the new owner has been
wonderfully Kind and thoughtful. She
reorganzed that old skid-road so even
an Old blind duirer IKE me can find
his way In and out without getting
l0st-and she had this easy-chair made
for me. | have told Judge Moore. who
represents the unknoyn owner. 90 eX-
tend my thanks 10 his clint. But
words are So empty. Shirley Sumner.
L that new 0aNer eoLfr sly under
stand how grateful | am--how pro-
foundly her courtesy touches me"
"IIer courtesyy Shirley echoed.
"Did woman buy the Giants?'
He smiled down at her. why.
certainly. Who hut a woman-and
dear. kind. thoughtful woman--would
have thought 10 have this chair made |
aud brought up here for me?"
Fell a long silence between them |
then John Cardigan's trembling hand /
went cropping out toward the girls. |
"Why. how stupid OF me not to have |
guessed II immediately he said. |
"You are the new owner. Ny dear /
child. II the silent prayers Of a very /
unhappy old man will bring Gods
blessing on you-there there. girl |
didn't intend to make you weep. What
a tender heart II is. 10 be sure!'
She took his great toil-worn hand.
and her hot tears fell on IL. for his
gentleness. his benignancy. had touch-
ed her deeply. '0h. you must not tell
You mustn't" she cried
He put his hand on her shoulder az
she knelt before him Good land Of
love. girl. what made you do IL; Why
should a girl like you give hundred
thousand for my Valley OF the Giautsl
Were you"-hesitatingly-"your un-
cle's agentg"
"No. bought II myself-with my
own money. My uncle doesn't know
sm the new owner. You see, he want
cd it-for nothing"
"Ah. yes | suspected as much q
long time ago Your uncle is the
modern type OF business man. Not
very much Of an ideelist. I'm afraid.
But tell me why you decided to thwsrt
the plans OF your relative"
Il knew Il hurt you terribly to sell
rour Giants; they were dear to you
'or sentimental reasons understood.
siso. why you were forced to sell; 80
well. | decided the Giants would be
'afer in my possession than in my
lncle's In all probability he would
lave logged this valley for the sake |
" the clear seyenty-two-inch boards
he could get from these trees"
THAT does not explain satisfactor
ly. 10 me. Why you took sides with a
stranger against your own kin" John
1ardigan persisted There must be
deeper and more potent reason
Hiss shirley sumner"
"Well. Shirley made answer, glad 4
le could not see the flush of confusion
nd embarrassment that crimsoned
ler cheek. when came to SeQuoia
ast May your son and I met. quite
accidentally The stage 10 Sequo.a
.ad already gone. and he was gracious
noueh 70 invite me % make the jour
- bis car Then We recalled bav
az met IS children, and presently
athersd from his conversation that he
nd his John-partner. az he called you.