The Dolores star., 1921-03-25

|
ibly "God didn't spare you for much
happiness. did he?"
A voice, deep, resonant. kindly,
spoke few feet away. "who is 1T"
Shirley. startled. turned swiftly.
Seated across the little amphitheater
in lumberjack's easy-chair fashioned
from an old barrel. John Cardigan sat.
his sightless gaze bent upon her. "Who
Is itf" he repeated.
Shirley Sumner" she answered.
You do not know me, Mr.. Cardigan"
No" replied he. II do not That
is II name ! have heard. however. You
are Seth Pennington's niece. Is some
one with your"
~ am quite alone. Mr. Cardigan
And why did you come here alone"
he queried.
II wanted to think"
You mean you wanted to think
clearly. my dear. All, yes. this Is the
place for thoughts" He was silent
Il 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
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"
We'll. ] declare! Ten years ago.
eh? You've met, eh? You've met
Bryce since his return to Sequoia, /
believe. He's quite 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 Shlr-
ley Sumner. God didn't give her
much time for happiness-Just three
! years; but oh, such wonderful years!
Such wonderful years,
at was mighty fine of you to bring
flowers" he announced presently. II
appreciate that. l wish l could see
/ you. You must be dear, nice. thought
full 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.
so you came up here to do lit
tie clear thinking" he continued in
| his deliberate, amiable tones. "Do
you come here oftenf'
This is the third time in ten years."
she answered. Il feel that l have
no business to intrude here. This is
! Nnur shrIna and shnuia mot
profane It,"
"I think 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"
Il hadn't been up here for nearly
two years until recently. You see
1 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 jnm Bryce and l 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-char made
for me. ! have told Judge Moore. who
represents the unknown owner, 10 ex-
tend my thanks to his client. But
words are so empty, Shirley Sumner.
If that new owner could only under
stand how grateful / a:n-how pro-
fouEdly her courtesy touches me"
"Ier courtesy?" Shirley echoed
did woman buy the Giants?"
He smiled down at her. "Why,
certainly. Who but woman-and
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 1t immediately" he said.
"You are the new owner. My dear
child, II the silent prayers of very
unhappy old man will bring Gods
blessing on you-there. there girl,
didn't intend to make you weep. What
tender heart it Is, to be sure!'
She took his great tollworn hand,
and her hot tears fell on 1t, for his
gentleness. his benignancy. had touch
ed her deeply. "Oh. you must not tell
anybody You mustn't" she cried.
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 give a hundred
thousand for my Valley Of the Giants?
We're you"-hesitatingly-"your un-
cle's agentT'
mo. bought It myself-with my
own money. My uncle doesn't know
am the new owner. You see. he want
ed it--for nothing"