The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1937-05-06

and 20 back to bed nov and let NJ
tell the rest"
'"The treei Can't We Night -
tree for one little minute7." beseo0
Tommy.
Father has not come. Tommy.
better wait until morning, II wU
be still dark enough when you ~
up" said grandmother. "EN b
getting ready to drive over to The
station for him now - the branch
road train is due at twelve"
"Then I will 60 with Ell az far
as the inn," said VIII barrow, who.
having finished the coffee with
which Hepsy had supplied him.
came into the sitting-room.
why not stay here with us?" said
grandmother; 'you must be worn
out by such an experience"
II shall need to sleep later in the
morning than you people r likely
to-" he said quietly, and grandmoth-
er, noticing that Eleanor did not
indorse the invitation, failed to press
ii.
"Please 90 to bed at once, or you
will have a breakdown" barrow
said to Eleanor, as, after one long
look, he he~sitated, turned and
walked down the hall and into the
night without a handgrasp or a
backward glance.
AS the door closed Eleanor re-
turned to the room where the old
people were waiting, n on either
side Of the fire, trying hard to SUBJ
due the questioning eagerness Of
their looks. 81 wish that The
Stranger was here" she said SIM
ply, unconsciously missing the sense
Of strength that had surrounded her
in his presence. her WEAKNESS show
ing in her voice the while.
"It is good for Emery that he
has not travelled alone" said grand
mother, trying to keep the tremu-
lousness from her voice.
There was a telegram for me,
Tommy said, may I have it," Flea
nor d.. Grandfather took
it from his pocketbook and gave it
to her.
ut has not been opened" and
Eleanor looked from one to
the other.
Then grandmother laughed ner-
vously, 1.-THE truth is that the boy
from the inn repeated the message
about Emery's coming at twelve, as
he saw it being written, so that
there was no need for opening the
telegram"
Eleanor cut the top of the envel-
ope with elaboration, and spread
ing the sheet held it toward the
freight, the oil lamp, unused to
such long hours of service, having
gradually succumbed.
ASK them not to wait up for
me-" she read holding up the paper.
1.-THE boy didn't say that" said
grandfather, but we are not very
tired"
Then for my sake will you both
60 to bed?" Eleanor asked, with
a tone of pleading in her voice more
impressive than any dramatic en-
phasis. 1.-THE Stranger will surely
understand that at last I must e
Emery alone and when he is not
busy, here in his fathers house mid
way between Christmas Eve and
morning."
Grandmother, who was looking
steadily at Eleanor, felt all the mis-
givings that had held her for the
last few hours sleaze away. She
knew then that it was not her
daughter-in-law who had anything
to explain, but who would ask for
explanation. Helping grandfather to
his feet she turned to Eleanor and
placed a hand, that would tremble
in spite of effort, upon her firm
young shoulders. Locking up to
Eleanor's slim height from her
lesser one that was beginning to
stoop earthward. she said gently:
81 understand also, my daughter,
/ know the change that has come
and you may trust me. Say what
you must, and say it plainly, but oh!
remember that Emery is my son,
my only son!"
1t was not until she had gone to
bed, and was listening to grand
fathers quiet breathing from her
own sleepless pillow that grand
mother realized that when she had
left Eleanor the young woman was
still clad in the hat and fur eeat
in which she had returned.
ITO RE GlNTINIrr0I y.