Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1923-02-10

LET me present Senior Mesos
Pecuento," he said gently.
} was we'll for Father Hillaire's peace
OF mind that he could not see the
look OF sudden Joy that flashed be-
! tween them.
Mr.. Velantrie!" mimicked the girl
with a laugh, ITS been long since
we met in the PADRES garden"
: HAS it?" said the man eagerly
J and simply, and Val blushed.
Hasn't it?" she asked honestly
) 'Lord-yes." said Velantrie. softly.
For a moment they were silent
looking at each other with the age
old wonder that comes once In every
J life. Then the man thought quick
ly and sharply OF the Church door
and the woman-and became on the
instant the Indifferent, smiling
stranger.
Val saw the change and became
grave herself.
! Velantrie turned TO the rider be-
side him, a slim, good docking youth,
scarce more than boy, and waved
an eloquent hand.
! Let me present Senior Mesos Pc
cuento." he said gently, "of down
Arguenta way. bound for the Mis-
sion to work for Father Hillaire and
incidentally, for wedlock in the
chapel"
Val Harmon bmshed again. hut |
the look she flashed Velantrie was
eloquent of gratitude and gladness
and admiration for so successful a
quest
They spoke for a few moments
more, but the spontaneity was gone
from their meeting. and presently
the strangers rode into the Antelope
10 emerge to the sight or the distant
Mission cleaning palely in the light,
while Val Harmon touched Redcloud
and went on toward the south.
Velantrie. strong on the bit OF his
own desires, went straight TO his
destination.
II think. padre" he said. 'that
shall come hut little more to this
country. Perhaps no more"
The old man looked at him keenly.
Why" he asked simply.
Because It is not well that
should"
Father Hillaire sighed
No" he said sadly, 'it is not ,
we'll" :
This whites a good horse" We !
lantrie said. ''but l miss The Comet :
laid UP with a sprained tendon" :,
He rode straight back the way he :
had come and he was deep in =
thought as he neared the fringes OF 7
the Little Antelope. Thought that
Val Harmon. Velantrie q.
had known many women, but none .
or them had come into his life for >
more than a fleeing touch He was. ..
as he had told Father Hinairc. a ~
man who mastered himself. He had 90
ridden away from much that a
weaker man would have stayed for.
Therefore he struck the big white
horse with heel and rode through
the shallow water-and there, com
ing slowly along, slouched gracefully
in her saddle, as II she idled on
way she was used to making at
speed, was the girl herself Val Han To-
non for the first time in her life de :,
llberately waiting to cross trails with
a man, and as unconscious OF the ~
fact as any childl
At the fringe OF the little stream cl
they met face to face again. and the r,
shadow OF the poplars played over
their young faces where the eager o.
light leaped helplessly 81
They drew up by common consent p
and sat still for a moment smiling at
each other like two chndren-Val. 81
the pride OF Paradise and Velantrie. ei
sometime OF the Border!" o.
II want TO thank you" said the IN
girl simply at last" you have
brought life TO Maria. know"
And pleasure to myself" an i'
swered the man. 'Tor it has given p
me great pleasure 10 do your will. II ~
is a gentle win and kindly" u
Father Hillaire. too. Will be full
OF joy over the erring sheep brought $
back 10 his fold. for he had grieved Il
with and over Maria a deal. Where =,
did you find Mesos?" ~
Not far from his native heath. at
He was hiding among the jacals. II -.
was no great thing to find him" -
But how did you make him 70
Gomez asked the girl wonderingIy. ~
Velantrie smiled.
He did not tell her that among the -
pooi heAlCdHS across uhe une the 70
name OF Velantrie was magic, thatl.o
In many an humble hut Il bore a
sound OF deliverer." that Il carried
hope as well as fear. and that its
owner had merely to speek and his y"
words, running afar among thel -
poems, were like riatas creeping on ~
he ground to bring back the thing IN
hey sought. W.
Continued i'm Our Next Issue.) ui
- dc