The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1937-05-20
CHAPTER X~II-Continued

Left to herself, Eleanor shivered
IN spite Of her heavy coat and once
more drew close to the fire. Hepsy
came in, stupid with sleep, and said
that she had left food for MIR.
Emery's supper in the hot closet
over the stove. Then Eleanor re.
membered nothing, until the tall
clock struck one, and she started
up to see if it was the hour or the
hall. She had been asleep.
1t was half past one o'clock and
Christmas morning. The grating Of
wheels on the frozen ground told
her that Emery was coming, but
not with Eli, for the hoof beats that
turned the angle at the gate were
those Of a pair Of horses of higher
mettle than sedate old Whiteface.
Next, Vance's voice sounded clear
and sharp from the porch as he
wished his driver goodnight"
Checking the impulse to get out
of sight and obliterate herself, now
that she was sure of his safe re.
turn, Eleanor went to the door and
opened it at the moment that his
hand was upon the knob. The
Stranger entered first and with q
silent greeting passed into the fire
lit room beyond. The only words
spoken were from Vance.
Eleanor! Here? Thank God!'
The light in the hall was dim
but it did not account for the cling.
ing way in which his eyes first
rested on her or the agony Of sud.
den relief in his voice. He had
opened his arms in spontaneous ex.
preston as he cried out, but quickly
dropped them to his side, his habit.
ual suppression of emotion dominat.
ing him.
you are very Late she said
quietly, II see that you missed Eli,
who went for you"
did you get my telegram"
eyes, Emery"
"At what time?"
"On our arrival at about half past
eleven"
Where is barrow? I must see
him."
"At the inn. At my request he
drove over with Eli. You and the
Doctor would better have your sup.
per, Emery, before we 60 into ex-
plantations"
II need rest not food, my child"
the Doctor answered. and the touch
Of his hand upon hers. as she guided
him to the east chamber, banished
all her fears.
Eleanor returning went to the
kitchen and Emery's feet led him
instinctively to the dining room.
Eleanor brought the food and
spread it before him silently. He
ate from mere brute hunger, moi
realizing what, until his eye fell on
q plate Of cookies that Hepsy had
cut in the shape Of horses for the
children. Back again to youth he
few, to the days when he had made
q ceremony Of eating the cakes
made by that same cutter, leg by
leg. leaving the head with its cur
rant eye as the last delicious morsel.
Presently he took a cake and un.
consciously lived out his memory
while Eleanor watched him In hall
pitiful amazement.
The freshly fed fire in the living.
room drew him to it. Over the
mantel shelf was his own portrait
at eight years, Tommy's age. Stiffly
painted as 1t was, there was more
than a passing resemblance. DID
he hope that his boy would follow
him, at least to keep in repair the
financial structure he was struggling
80 desperately to build!
Mol He hurled the thought sc
hard that he almost expected te
hear something break within the
room. Never would he condemn
his flesh and blood to the slavery
Of such competition as that with
which he struggled.
'sThen why condemn yoursefl
Since you know the truth. the truth
should make you free!"
Ths Strangers voice sounded Al
close 70 lin o. It had the afternoon
bs1sgas II ne q %ysa mere pow