Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-13
THE, VlCARI0N BY Gardner Hunting

Copyright. 1923. BY Public Ledger

greeted her Lamplight glowed. far
back there beyond the dark, shaggy
trunks and the deep overhang Of a
roof. Voices were calling. Radley
was climbing from the car; he fetch
ed up hand to her.
Relief Brainard came running TO
them, crying out thankfulness, mar
Yelling at their escape, urging them in,
trying to tell them Of the condition of
Carol and John, bemoaning useless
telephone, praising young Masters, Sob
bling with relief and exhaustion.
And presently Phyllis stood beside
the bed in which her brother lay. with
the man Van Wrinkle sitting watchfully
beside him. The bandage they had put
around the boys head was already
stained through with blood; below It
his face was so still and white that she
thought at first he was dead. She
dropped down beside him with moan,
calling his name. But Van Wrinkle
stood up quickly and leaned against
the headboard of the bed--with move
ment at once Of approaching her and
holding aloof
Hes asleep" he said, looking down
at John. Il wouldn't wake him up; it
will cure 'mcst anything, sleep WILL"
Phyllis drew back her hands. On
her knees. she looked at the young
face as if she had not seen it for
hardening lines deepened-or soft
ened? What masks the faces are
which we think we read! How we
try to look through then-how We
try to see in them the things we
want to think belong to the moment
in which we look AS II the thing
of the moment were more at most
than a single chisel-stroke Of the por-
trait We try to see.
In truth, he was only still and white,
and young and tired and hurt. But
he was not boy any more-not the
little boy of whom she had been so
tender. Grown up. Carol had said!
Grown up, to the ability-and to the
right-to take care of hin1selfl With
a right even to his own hurts! And
a right TO sleep them away, untouched
and unobserved.
The girl rose to her feet, glanced
at the man by the head Of the bed
and went out. de followed her. IN
the screened porch Phyllis found
Carol In a hammock, covered with
an Indian rug. The younger girl was
awake, and put out hand as Phyllis
stood beside her.
"Pyhl!" she said. you're such a
peach! You're always the one We
find when we have to find some
hody!'
Her slender fingers gripped Phyllis
hand.
ITO think that had the nerve to
try to tell you'll" she went on. 81 talked
about playing my own cardS-but I
think I'd have died tonight If hadn't
known you were sticking around.
You're not bit picturesque, Phyl,
because you don't go in for q pose.
You just-stick around"
Her hand dropped and she closed
her eyes. Phyllis stood breathless.
But it was scarcely moment before
Carol was asleep. AS If her mind were
set at rest by what she had said.
Phyllis found her way to the steps
where Van Wrinkle stood. She leaned
against the rustic pillar.
rs she asleep, too?" asked the man.
"Yes-now she is"
Lucky children!" Van Wrinkle said.
cts always open to them-the great
Empire of Silence!"
He was quiet moment; then he
turned toward her.
May say good-by to you now?"
he asked.
Goodbye" she repeated. startled.
YES" he answered. I've found
out where I belong"
He hesitated, then went on.
Il have learned" he said, that
wandered away-from a place where
shouldn't have stayed-from some
thing I had to do. needn't tell you
men sometimes have, unbeautiful, I'M
welcome, undramatic. But I've a no.
ton that If I go back to 1t, shall
fiad-What I've IoSt!"
He paused again. 1t seemed PAIN
full recital to him-and he did not
seem to have any notion Of clearing
himself in her eyes.
That's why" he continued pres
emily, that's why I envy the young
sters who can drop of so easily to
sleep. I can't. Did you ever hear any
one PROFOUND the theory that it is not
the body that sleeps?"
Breathless she stared into his eyes.
And once more he looked back into
hers. And it ives as if she we're look
ing through windows that gave no
prospsct-mere panes, which bafned
vision because there was nothing be-
yond!
IT say" said Van Wrinkle, that I've
found out where belong. But the
Vicarion didn't show me. It merely
showed me that am not q footloose
young man, who simply came out here
a year ago and fell in love with q
girl-who forgot me. It is only an
incident that I was found hurt and
off my head one night after that last
dance with you-by the man Homer
they intended to make me
ransom myself. But when they found
that I'd lost my memory. they
couldn't do anything with me, Of
course, so they conceived the little Joke
OF taking me out and burying me I'M
the sand. so that I might burst upon
an astonished world as Rip Van VIM
kle.' don't know what had happened.
But I've a notion that Providence may
have undertaken to illustrate to us
what an empty thing the mere body Of
D man can be!'
He looked up at her, but did not
smile.
I've been neutrality-suspicious. But
couldn't help overhearing what Carol
said to you just now. I've been think
ing some or the things that Carol has
about you. I've watched you till
begin to understand--What to do to
ind myself"
He stopped. and she saw that he had
his cap in his hands.
"Ciood-by, them" he said.
She stretched out her hands to him.
he did not touch them. He simply
urned and started down the steps.
But aren't you-arent you going to
ct me know-who you are?" she cried.
Why should I?'' he returned. "It's
not that that matters. When T see
Tou again-it will be time enough
when I see YOU"
He said good-by again, walked down
he low steps and on through the dark
arches OF the trees. Suddenly his figure
vas gonel
Then he was not traitor-nor arv.
hing else that was false. What was he
that was real? A slow chill crept
,Ver ner. HIS going waS--more gi1ostly
han his Coming had haagR uy1,S% 49,