The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-09-30

IDLY GOD didn't spare you TOT nuch
happiness, did her
A voice, deep, resonant, kindly
spoke few feet away. "Who is itF
Shirley, startled, turned swiftly.
Seated across the little amphltheater
In n lumberjacks easy-chair fashioned
from an old barrel, John Cardigan sat,
his slghtless gaze bent upon her. "Who
Is III" he repeated.
shirley Sumner" she answered.
you do not know me. Mr.. Cardigan
"No," replied he, 81 do not. That
Is a name ! have heard, however. You
are Seth Pennington's niece. Is some
one with your"
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
plness. did hep Then you knew
about her being here"
"Yes, sir. Some ten years ago.
when / was very little girl, l met
your son Bryce. He gave me ride
on his Indian pony, and we came here.
So remember"
"Well, l declared Ten years ago.
eh? You've met, eh? 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 I!
Such wonderful years
1T was mighty fine of you to bring
flowers" he announced presently. 81
appreciate that. wish / could see
you You must be 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 I'm
| his deliberate, amiable tones. "Do
you come here oftenW
"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,"
~ think l should have resented the
presence of any other person. Miss
Sumner l resented you-untll you
spoke"
I'm glad you said that, Mr.. Cardi.
gan. 1t sets me at ease"
81 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,"
~ do not know, Miss Sumner. had
to sell there was no other way out
of the jam Bryce and were in SC
| sacrificed my sentiment for my hoy
However, the new owner has beer
wonderfully kind and thoughtful. She
reorganized that old skid-road so ever
an old blind duffer like me can fine
his way in and out without getting
lost-and she had this easy-chair mad,
for me- / have told Judge Moore whC
represents the unknown owner TO eX
tend my thanks TO his client. Blu
words are so empty, Shirley Sumner
II that new owner could only under
stand how grateful l am-how pro
foundly her courtesy touches me
"Her courtesy?" Shirley echoed
"Did woman buy the Giants?"
He smiled down at her. why
certainly. Who but woman-and I
dear, kind, thoughtful woman--woul'
have thought to have this chair mad
and brought up here for me?"
Fell n long silence between them
then John Cardlgan's trembling han
went cropping out toward the girls
"Why. how stupid of me not 10 hfV
guessed 1t Immediately he sait
"You are the new owner. My dea
child. II the silent prayers of yer
unhappy old man will bring God
blessing on you-there. there, girl
didn't intend TO make you weep. Wha
a tender heart II is, to be sure !"
She took his great toil-worn hant
and her hot tears fell on II, for hi
gentleness, his benignancy, had touch
ed her deeply. "Oh, you must not te
anybody You mustn't" she cried.
He put his hand on her shoulder a
she knelt before him. Good land q
love, girl, what made you do it2 Wh
should a girl like you give hundre
thousand for my Valley of the Giants
Were you"-heslSatingly-"your III
cle's agentT
"No. bought II myself-wlth m
own money. My uncle doesn't know
| am the new owner Iou see he wan