The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1920-07-01

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
plness, did he? Then you knew
ABOUT her being here"
Yes, sir. Some ten years ago.
when I was very little girl. met
your son Bryce. He gave me ride
on his Indian pony, and we came here.
SO | remember"
"Well, declare! Ten years ago.
Ell? You've met, Ell? You've met
Bryce since his return to Sequoia, Il
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 three
years; but oh, such wonderful years y
Such wonderful years
1T was mighty fine of you to bring
MOVERS" he announced presently. I'll
appreciate that. l wish l could see|
ypu. You must be 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 to his
chair.
80 you came up here to do lit-i
tie clear thinking" he continued in
bis deliberate, amiable tones do
you come here often2'
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 1 should have resented the
presence of any other person. Miss
Sumner. l resented you-until 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 l
i don't own the Valley of the Giants
any more"
"Indeed. To whom have you sold
ft?"
II do not know Miss Sumner. had
to sell; there was no other way out
of the jam Bryce and were In so
l sacrificed my 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-"
Her courtesy" Shirley echoed
did woman buy the Giants?"
He smiled down at her. why
,, certainly. Who but a woman-aDd a
dear, kind, thoughtful woman-would
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
"Why, 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 on you-there. there, girl!
didn't intend to make you weep. What
a tender heart it 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 ooh, you must not tell
anybody, You mustn't" she cried.
He put his hand on her shoulder as
she knet before him. Good land of
love, girl, what made you do it? Why
should a girl like you give hundred
thousand for my Valley of the Giants?
Were ou"-hesitatingly-"y I'M
cle's agent?'
mo. l bought it myself-with my
own money. My uncle u0eSI KNOW 1
am the new owner You see, he want
ed it-for nothing"
"Ah, yes. l suspected as much
long time ego. Your uncle is the
modern type of business man. Not
very much of an idealst. I'm afraid.
But tell me why you decided to thwart
the plans OF your relative"
II knew it hurt you terribly to sell
your Giants; they were dear to you
for sentimental reasons. understood,
also. why you were forced to sell so
well. | decided the Giants would be
safer in my possession than in my
uncle's. In all probability he would
have logged this valley for the sake
of the clear seventy-two-inch boards
he could get from these trees"
"That does not explain satsfactor
lily, to me, why you took sides with
stranger against your own KIM" John
Cardigan persisted. There must be
deeper and more potent reason.
Miss Shirley Sumner