Connecticut western news., 1920-07-29


 slaves. The Major has been one of those who has heroically fought in the Revolution, and to whom the Southern beauty out of patriotic gratitude has given her hand, brave ly following him into the Kentucky wilderness. Unfortunately, although neither of the pair confess 1t, the mar riage has been an uncongenial one Both, however, are too noble minded to do otherwise than be true to the union that holds them together. Yet there Is q scar of disappointment be- meath the surface, and Tn the woman's heart a weariness and longing that nothing satisfies. During John Gray's visits to her niece Mrs. FaIconer has become deeply interested in the young schoolmaster, who Is about her own age and whose tastes she shares Be tween them companionship has sprung up which each honestly mis- takes for friendship.
 Amy's attraction for the man has heen an untutored impulse of the senses; but Jessica Falconer's power over him is one of deep spiritual in- spiration.
 When he awakens to the discovery that in reality 1t is Mrs. Falconer whom he loves his reverence for her, her purity, and her loyalty to her hus- band all bind him to silence. She also loves him but is In honor bound to give him no sign, and hence with their love unspoken he goes East ostensibly 1 to recover the legacy he expects to inherit, but determined never to return. The lawsuit for his property goes against him and he is cast into jail for debt, from which ignominy the ef- proud man and wishing to pay this 1 debt of gratitude he proposes to marry the daughter of the family that has befriended him. Before the marriage, however, he tells his future bride quite frankly that he loves someone else who is not free, and it Is with this knowl- edge that she accepts him. While the wedding is in preparation a letter comes to him from Mrs. Falconer an- nouncing the death of her husband, and in the silent hope that his fiancee will give him his liberty he aoquaints her with the change in his prospects. | We gather from the text that the girl is unwilling to give him up, and as he is too honorable to demand his free dom he carries out his pledge.
 All ignorant of this turn of events Mrs. Falconer in the meantime is so sure of his love that she erects in distant Kentucky a stately mansion modelled after the home of her early youth. She is still in the thirties and beautiful, and deluded into the belief that at last her dreams are to be full filled she makes ready for her mar riage. A paper telling of Johns union with someone else rudely destroys her paradise. Twice she has missed the prize of happiness. The intense joys of womanhood she Is never to know. q shall go softly all my days" she murmurs.
 N Time sweeps on but her beauty does not fade. She becomes the great lady of the Southern settlement and at her home Aaron Burr and many another famous American Is entertained. More than one man lays his fortune at her feet and goes away disappointed.
 There are women who never experi- ence the heights and the depths of life. Gazing deep into their eyes we are reminded of the light of dim churches-They are the women who have missed happiness and who know 1t; but having failed of affection give themselves to duty. It was into the company of these quieter pilgrims that she had passed"
 One day long afterward when she Is alone fin her garden she sees coming toward her a magnificent young fellow at tbe brink of manhood. He lifts his hat with courtly gesture. 'T ana John Gray, the son of your old friend and my father sends me to yoz to stay If you will let me. And he desires me to deliver this letter"
 ''Jdhn Grayr' she cried. "You John Gray! You! Take off your hat"
 For a moment she looked at his forehead and his hair; her eyes be- came blinded with tears. She threw her eaaDs around his neck with a sob and covered his face with kisses.
 Alone in the solitude of her bedroom she reads the letter.
 John tells her that he loves her, that he Ihas always loved her; and that it is the fire of this love that through the years has kept his ideals aGlow.
 Many a time this candle has gone out; but. as quickly as I could snatch any .tprch-wlth your sacred name on mS HpsAit has been relighted." sff," he adds, 1 have kept unbroken faith with any of mine, thank you And thank Godw
 Thus ends the novel.
 Copyright 1919, by the Post Publishing CO
 GTires Boston PosD. Condensed from
 &phe Choir Invisible" by James Lane
 Allen Copyright, 1897. by The Macmh- ! ..ia1r. Gnr,nr,nn.. IIsna hN nermission of