Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1935-03-14
CHAPTER vII-Continued


cular strength is valuable in a vast
place like the academy" He slipped
the key into her hand. II had this
made for you, though know you are
getting the better Of your fears"
Her hand closed over the little key
gratefully. II am much better-much
happier. It's only when / am listen
ing to Mother Martha that l think of
the figures. Even my guardian doesn't
speak of them now, and / think he
does not go near them"
mo, he doesn't"
And the scholars seem less afraid.
They are getting used to the old
place."
1T has become very dear to me-" he
whispered.
Il wish l hadn't heard that report
about my guardian and myself"
Forget It'll"
Bladder Is always doing what he
shouldn't debut not what he should.
l don't suppose he even burned the
old tree"
Il think he did. 1t was there the
first time went back to the belfry:
the next 1t was gonel"
I'm gladl 1t made me lonesome
thinking Of that dreary little tree up
there. believe I'll wear this key
around my neck-under my dress. Be
sure you remember to put the original
back"
When they returned home they
found Balder burning leaves on the
other side of the garden from the pine
grove.
Don't speak to him about talking
OF your engagement, Berenice," Janet
cautioned her. "Don't get his Ill will"
Berenice promised to say nothing.
Wilton, when he had put the car
away, proposed walk around the
lake, eff you are not tired with all
the excitement of the day"
She glanced back several times at
the figure of Balder seen across the
smoke and flame of the burning
leaves.
Hes watching us. He pretends he
isn't watching us. but he is-as he
losses the leaves, he's watchingw
What Of It? He cannot harm u.s.
I'm not SO sure. He has a queer
sort Of fidelity to my guardian. He
may resent"
She broke of. blushing. She had
come too near to utterlng a secret
hope. Wilton, looking tenderly at her,
saw In the signals Of that rising color
a prophecy of his own ultimate happi-
ness-the fulhllment Of his dearest
wish
They stood where a little beach Of
crisp white sand received the low MUIR
muir and caress Of the lake at its end
less tapping and stirring; a wood. a
tangle Of small blrches and naples.
stretched back from the banks and in
vited them to enter. A little, smooth
path of white sand serpentined through
the wood, its edges fern bordered; this
they took until the fairy blrches re-
ceived them into their company, and
ringed them from observation. The
girl paused then with a sigh of relief.
took Off her knitted cap, and let her
hair blow In the wind.
"Your hair is as yellow as the birch
leaves. You are not afraid now"
"Now
"Berenice. never meant to tell
you so soon-but, my dear"
He paused. unable to meet her eyes
or to utter the wild words OF worshlp
and alteration he had so often re-
hearsed in the lonely watches OF the
night-nOv they had fed from him as
dreams fee. What was real was his
stammerlng, his inability to tell her
that she had become his inclosed
world OF glory and enchantment.
"Wilton-it isn't too soon. Here
everything has to come quickly"
"For the danger-the fearr
The spirit OF her eyes was one OF
intense demand and challenges II
she sought the refuge of his arms for
more than the bright validities Of love.
TO know you love me keeps the