Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-04-08
CHAPTER XVIII.

Poor dear!" she murnured audi-
bly, God didn't spare you for much
happiness. did he?"
A voice. deep. resonant. kindly,
spoke a few feet away. who Is itF'
Shirley, startled turned swiftly.
Seated across the little amphitheater
] in a j,rmberjack's easy-chair fash
toned from an old barrel, John Car
digan sat. his sightless gaze bent
upon her. "Who is IT," he repeated.
| SHIRLEY Sumner" she answered
you do not know me, Mr.. Cardi-
gan"
No. replied he II do not. That
is name l have heard, however.
You are Seth Pennington's niece. is
some one with you?"
81 am quite alone. Mr.. CARDIGAN.
And why did you come here
alone?" he queried. '.
IL wanted to think
You mean you wanted to think
clearly. my dear. All, yes, this is the
place for thoughts" He was silent
moment. Then: You were think
ing aloud, Miss Shirley Sumner. /
heard you. You said: Poor dear,
God didn't spare you for much hap
piness. did he?' Then you knew
about her being here?" :.
| Yes, sir. Some ten years ago,
when l was very little girl, l met
Your son Bryce. He gave me ride
on his Indian pony. and we came
| here. Sol remember"
wei, declare! Ten years ago,
Ell? You've met Ell? You've met
Bryce since his return to Sequoia. l
| believe. He's quite fellow now"
He Is indeed
John Cardigan nodded sagely. 80
that's why you thought aloud" he
/ remarked impersonally. Bryce told
you about her. You are right. Miss
! Shirley Sumner. God didn't give
her much time for happiness-just
three years: but oh, such wonderful
years. Such wonderful years!
1T was mighty fine Of you to bring
flowers, he announced presently. Il
appreciate that. l wish. could see
| you. You must be- dear, nice,
thoughtful girl Won't you sit down
! and talk to me-"
I Shouid pc Sldu ", SHS dhS " SA S>A
and seated herself on the brown car
pet of redwood twigs close to his
chair.
$50 you came up here to do a little
clear thinking" he continued in his
deliberate, amiable tones. "Do you
/ come here ofter?"
This is the third time in ten
! years." she answered. Il feel that
!! have no business to intrude here
This is your shrine and strangers
should not profane it,"
Il think should have resented the
presence of any other person. Miss
! Sumner. l resented you-untn you
| spoke"
I'm glad you said that, Mr.. Cardi-
| gan. 1t sets me at ease
/ Il hadn't been up here for nearly
two years until recently. You see
| Il don't own the Valley of the
Giants any more
Indeed. To whom have you sold
it?"
! Il do not know. Miss Sumner.
had to sell: there was on other way
out of the jam Bryce and l were in;
so i sacrificed my sentiment for my
/, boy. However, the new owner has
been wonderfully kind and thought
full. She, reorganized that old skid
road 80 even an old blind duffer like
me can find his way in and out with
4 out getting lost--and she had this
easy chair made for me. have told
Judge Moore, who represents the I'M
] known owner, to extend my thanks
! to his client. But words are sc
empty, Shirley Sumner. II that new
owner could only understand how
grateful 1 am-how profoundly her
courtesy touches me"
! Her courtesy?"f Shirley echoed
Did a woman buy the .Giants.":
He smiled down at her. Why
certainly. Who but woman-and a
dear, kind, thoughtful woman--woul,
have thought to have this chair
made and brought up here for me-?
: Fell a long. silence between them
then John Cardlgans trembling hand
went cropping out toward the girls
w by, how stupid OF me not to have
| guessed it immediately! he, said
You are the new owner. My dear
child. if the silent prayers of a very
/ unhappy old man will bring Gods
! blessing OH vou--there, there, girl!
4 didn't intend to make you weep
What tender heart it Is, to be sure!
She took his great toll worn hand
and her hot tears fell on 1t. for his
gentleness. his benignancy had touch
! ed her deeply. "Oh. YOU must not
| tell anybodv! You mustn't" she
cried. w.
He put his hand. on her shoulder as
she knelt before. him. Good land
of love, girl, what made you do 1t?
! Why should a girl like you.fgive a
| hundred thousand for my Valley OF
the Giants? Were vou'-hesitating-
ly-"your uncIe's agent?"
| No, I bought 1t myself-with my
own money. My uncle doesn't know
1 am. the new owner You see. ne
wanted it-for nothing"
"Ah, yes. I suspected as much Q
long time ago. Your uncle is the
modern type of business man. No
very much Of an idealist, I'm afraid
But tell me why you decided t.
thwart the plans Of your relative"
Il knew 1t hurt you terribly to sci
your Giants; they were dear to yot
for sentimental reasons. understood
also, why you were forced to sell; sc
! : rel! 7 decided the Giants would h.
| safer in nv possession than in my