Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-02-04
CHAPTER x.
The Return Of the Shadow.

The Return Of the Shadow.
l woke with heavy heart the next
morning, for, knew that Jim would
be home before long. and that 1t would
be day of trouble But how much
trouble that day was to bring. or how
far 1t would alter the lives Of all
Of us, was more than | had ever
thought in my darkest moments.
/ had to get up early that morning. for
it was just the first flush of the lamb
Ing, and my father and l were out
on the moors as soon as it was fairly
light. AS l came out into the passage
wind struck upon my face, and there
was the house-door wide open and
the gray light drawing another door
upon the inner wall. And when ]
looked again, there was Edie's room
open also, and De Laps too, and ]
saw in flash what that giving Of
presents meant upon the evening be-
fore. 1t was leave-taking, and they
were gone.
My heart was bitter against Cousin
Edie as l stood looking into her room
lO lIlluh lLdt lOI ilC SANE Vi q HCW"
conner she could leave us all without
one kindly word or as much as q
handshake. And he. too! l was angry
and hurt and sore, and l went out
into the open without word to my
father, and climbed up on to the
moors to cool my flushed face.
When / got up to Corriemuir
caught my last glimpse of Cousin
Edie. The little cutter still lay where
she had anchored, but a row-boat was
pulling out to her from the shore. In
| the stern l saw f1utter of red, and
I knew that 1t came from her shawl
I watched the boat reach the yacht,
and the folk climb on to her deck
Then the anchor came up, the white
| wings spread once more, and away
she dipped right out to sea. ! still
saw that little red spot on the deck
and De Lapp standing beside her
| They could see me also, for l was out
lined against the sky. AID they both
| waved their hands for long time
but gave 1t up ut last when they found
that would give them no answer.
stood with my arms folded, feeling
as glum as ever I did in my life, until
their cutter was only square. flick
ering patch of white among the mistt
Of the morning. 1t was breakfast
time. and the porridge upon the table
before l got back, but I had no hear
for the food.
There's letter here from him.
said my father. pointing to note fold
ed up on the table. ut was In hi
room. Maybe you would read It t
u.s."
1t was addressed, in big letters, t,
"The Good People of West Inch," ant
this was the note which lies befor,
me, all stained and faded, as l write
My Friends: I didn't thought to hav
left you 20 suddenly. but the matter WA
In other hands than mine. Duty an
honor have called me back to my oil,
comrades. This you will doubtless un
derstand before many days are passed
and II may be that In some more peace
full time you will sec US again at Yves
Inch. Meanwhile accept the ASSURANCE
of my affection. and believe me that
shall never forget the quiet month
which spent with you at the time wheI
my life would have been worth . weel
at the utmost had | been taken by tn
Allies But tho reason Of this you ma,
also learn some day.
| Yours,
BONAVENTURE DE LISSAC.
Colonel des voltigeurs de la Garde. .
aide de-camp de 8. NJ. IEmpereur Ma
| poleon.
I whistled when I came to thes
words, written under his name; 70
though had long made up my min
that our lodger could be none othe
than one of those wonderful soldier
of whom we had heard so much. VIII
had forced their way into every car
ital Of Europe. save only our owr
still l had little thought that our roo
covered Napoleon's own aide-de-cam
and a colonel of his Guard.