The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-10-28
CHAPTER III

1t was afternoon when Darragh
awoke in his bunk. stitf, sore,
eonthsed in mind and battered In
body.
Wier, hearing him astlr. came
How long have you been back!
Did you meet the ladies' with
your fivver?" demanded OAR
fagh, impatlently.
a II got to Five Lakes station
Just as the train came in. The
young ladies were the only pas
setgers who got out. waited to
get their two steamer trunks and
then 1adroye them to Harrod
Place.
where did you say was?'
asked Darragh.
e0ut in tho woods. somewhere.
The last saw OF them, Mrs. Ray
had their, handbags and Jerry
and Tom were shouldering their
trunks"
''I'm going up there right
away;3 interrupted Darragh e%-
I'm a pathetic attempt to spruce
up, he knotted tue rcd bandanNl
Z around his mock and pinched Sal
szar's slouch hat into u peak
you look like one OF Clinch's
buns" remarked Wier with ma
Tive honesty.
tDarragh, chagrined, went to his
bunk, pulled the morocco cuse
from under the pillow, and SHOW
led It into the bosom of his flannel
shirt.
n aThats the main thing any.
sway" he thought. Then, turning
to Wter, he asked. whether Eve
and Stormont had awakened.
It appeared that Trooper Stor-
mont had saddled up and canter-
ed away shortly after sunrise,
leaving word that he must hunt
up his comrade, Trooper LannIs,
lat Ghost Lake.
y "They're coming back this eNe-
ming" added wier. "Hc asked
you to look out for Clinch's step
daughter"
eshe's all right here. Can't you
keep an eye on her, Ralph?"
Every well, sir. But suppose
she takes 1t into her head TO
sDarragh called back, gaily:
She can't: she hasn't any
clothes!" And away lie strobe in
sthe'gorgeous sunshine OF Il magnt-
fieent autumn day. all the clean
and vigorous youth OF him atlre
in anticipation of reunion
which, the letter from his lady
love had TRANSPORTED into n tryst.
For, in that amazing courtshlp
OF a single day, he never dreamed
that he had won the heart OF that
sad, white-fgced, hungry child in
rags-silkep tatters still stained
With the blDod of masscre-the
very solhs of her shoes still
QhaTrel by the embers of her own
home.
Abont half an hour later he came
to his senses with distinct
shock.
Straight ahead OF him on the
Z trail, and coming directly toward
Aifm, moyed a figure IN kntcKers
sand, belted tweed.
Flecked sunlight slanted on the
Strangers cheek and FURNISHED
hair, dappling face and figure
with moving, golden spots.
ss Instantly Darragh knew and
ftpembled.
nut Theodorica Of Esthoniu had
kn9wn him only In his uniform.
AS she came toward him. love.
~ in her 1.-THE and rounded grace,
+ only friendly curiosity gazed at
him from her blue eyes
Suddenly she knew him, went
scarlet 10 her yellow hair. then
white: and tried to speak-but
had 10 control Of the short, rosy
upper lip which only quivered as
he took her hands.
The forest was dead still
around them save for the whisper
4 Of painted leaves Sitting down
from sunlit vault above.
Finally she said in ghost Of
q voice: "My-friend :"
IF you accept his friendship.
"Friendship is to be shared
Ours mlngled-on that day. .
Your share is-as much as pleases
you."
"All you have to give me,
them"
take 1t K. all l have "
Her blue eyes met his with a little
effort. All courage is an effort,
Then that young man dropped
ION his knees at her feet and laid
his. lips to her soft hands.
In trembling silence she stood
for a moment, then slowly sank
= on both knees to face him across
their clasped hands.
So, In the gilded cathedral Of
the woods, pillarcd With silver,
and aSure.domed, the bcthrothal
OF these two was sealed with clasp
and lip
Awed, a little fearful, she look
cd into. her lovers eyes with a
gaze SO tehaste, so oblivious to all
things earthly, that the still
purity Of her face seemed a sncra-
.inent, and he scarcely dared touch
the childish lips she offered.
But when the sacrament OF the
kiss had been accomplished, she
rested one hand on his shoulder
aud rose, and drew him with hcr.
Then his moment came: he
drew the emblazoned case from
" his breast, opened 1t, and, in sill
ence, laid 1t in her hands. The
blaze Of tho Jewels In the sunshine
almost blinded them.
That was his moment.
y Js.Th6 naXk momnnt wac Ouin,