New Britain herald., 1924-02-09
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY


 white faced. Then in silence h' swung on his heel and went of through the trees Six paces he haC taken when he came face to face witt an elderly, grave-faced gentleman 1T the clerkly attire Of 8 churchman who was pacing slowly reading in { book. The parson raised his eyes They were long-shaped blue eyes like Nsnoy's. but kindlier in their glance
 Why, Randall" he hailed the hoS who was almost hurting into him being half blinded by his unshed tears,
 The youth commanded himself.
 Give you good morning. Mfr. syl- ssster. l but came to Sa! goodbye .'
 Why, yes, my boy. Your father told me
 Through the trees came the girls teasing voice.
 You are detaininC the gentleman father. and he is in haste He is off 10 conquer the world
 Mir. Sylvester raised his heavy gray eyebrows q little; the shadow of a smile lowered about the corners of lis kindly mouth, his eyes looked a question, humorously.
 Randall shrugged, Nancy is gay at my departure, sir
 "Tush, tush!" The parsou turned, took his arm affcctionately, and moved along with him toward the house. "A mask on her concern" he murmured. "Women are like that, It takes deal Of learning to under stand woman; and l doubt, in the end if the time is well spent. But I'll answer for it that sheIl have a warm welcome for you on your re- turn. whether you've conquered the world or not. So shall we all, my boy. You go to serve in a great cause. God bring you safely home again
 But Randall took no comfort. and parted from Mr. SylNe ester rowing in his heart that he would return no more betide what might.
 Very carly next morning, before the village was astir, Randal rode forth upon the conquest ot the world, fortified by toleraby heavy purse. and that brand-ncw sword--the gifts which had accompanied his fathers blessing. As he rode along the wall above which the cherry bossome haunted. toward the gray rcctory that fronted immediately upon the road lattice was pushed open over. head. and the head and shoulders of Nancy were protruded.
 Randall" she softly called him, as he came abreast
 He reined in hts horgc aud looked UP. His rapcour melted instantly.
 Nan" His whole soul was in his utterance of the name.
 T am sorry 1 laughed, Randall, dear l wasn't really gay. ] have cried since. 1 have stayed awake all night not 10 miss you now" This vas hardly true but it is very likely she believed it. "f wantrd to gay goodhyc and God keep you, Ran 5lal. dear. and and come bark to me soon again.
 "Nan!" he cried again. Y was all that he could gay: but he said if with singular eluqusnce.
 Something slapped softly down nron the vithers of his horse, Hts hand shot out Co clutch ii ere fl fell thence. and he found himself holding a little tasselled glove.
 There was 9 little scream from sbose. My glo,e.' she cried. Eve dropped if. landal, pleasc." She was leaning far out. reaching down a beseechinE hand. But she was still too far above him to render possibe fhe gloves return. Resides this time she did not deccive him with her comedy.
 "T'H wear # as fator 'il ' come to claim the hand t has covered" he told her in sort of cNaitation. He kissed the glove. bowed low. covered himself with a flourish, and touched the horse with his spurs.
 As he rode away her voice hOsted after him. faintiy mocking. yet with a choking qUaver that betrayed her secret tears.
 Don't forget 70 bring ths world back with you"
 And that was the last of her voice that he had ever heard.
 Five years passed before the day when next he came 10 Potheridge. Again the cherry trees were In bios som: again he saw the gray wall Of the rect torv orchard. ss he rode for- ward with high beating heart. Isckey 'trottinE al his heels.
 The elder Holies. who had removed himself permanently Co London shortly after his sons going 10 Monk. had been dead these tWo years. IT RandsI had not sccomplisheJ 9 his proud boast or cou4uerinE the uotld. af Ieast he had won himself an im- portant place in u Gne position iu the army. that should be stepping stane to greater things He vas the zounEest colonel in tfe sartice. thanks 10 his orn talents ss ueH ss to Monks fsvor-for Monk could never had So favored him had be not been worthy. and SO proved himself . man of mark. of whom drai uss expected by. all vino knsw him. Al this he now bore written plainly upon him: his air of authority. his rich dress, the handsome furniture of his splendid horse: the servsnt following: ziI advertised the man Of c0nsezuencs. i 4 nd he wac proud Of tt a1 for the =nke Of her who had been his in- ,piratiop. From his hesrt Ee bsnked God for these things. sfrce l ,s might o1ier tfer to her.