The Man Thou Gavest

, he felt like a man in a quicksand. Every thought and motion

son was left free to act as he chose, there had evidently been an agreement between him and William Truedale as to the carrying out of certain affairs and, what was more startling and embarrassi

being dissatisfied with the distribution of the fortune, he had been relieved to know that he was responsible for only a small part of it;

at genial and warm-hearted man, shrinking always behind so stern an

t of his prescription keenly, "and you've made good in a few weeks. You'r

of the sheriff-"but he probably showed another side to you. He has a positive r

alth reports were eulo

poor wretches know it, is sublime; and yet he is the safest man I know. The law, he often

e and direct as a child and as wise as a judge ought to be. I wouldn't send some

at a sense of shame overpowered him. Lynda had somewhat opened Truedale's eyes, but Lynda's love and compassion unconsciously coloured the picture she drew. Here was a hard-

fference and false pride seemed so despicable and egotistical-his re

his own self-respect or hope to hold that of others, he must, to the exclusion

enough to perceive in death-when it is too late! Truedale's faith in me, when I gave him so little to go by, is both flattering and touching. He knew he could trust me-and that knowledge is the best thing he bequeathed to me. But I expect you to do your part, boy, and by so doing to justify much that might, otherwise, be q

n to Pine Cone for a few days. I could start at

wide gesture that disposed of hope and fear, l

Besides there are men to see: architects, builders, etc. The wishes of your uncle were most explicit. The building, you recall,

ttle Nella-Rose. Unless he was ready to lay bare his private reasons, Truedale saw he m

work. I want you to know that as far as I can I mean-too late,

Truedale, that if he had taken you more into his confidence, he might have eased life for us a

ing was walking toward the door; "well, a

men. With this knowledge other and more blighting convictions held part. In his defiance and egotism he had muddled things in a desperate way. In the cold, clear light of conventional relations the past few weeks, shorn of the glamour cast by his romantic love and supposed contempt for social restrictions, stood forth startlingly significant. At the moment Truedale could not conceive how he had ever been

st intention of some day living his own life in his own way, were to cost hi

e was prepared to undertake the burden his uncle's belief in him entailed, so he was prepa

n and expect them, in the first moment of shock, to open their hearts and understand him. He almost laugh

ment for Nella-Rose. They would certainly understand why, in the stress and strain of recent events, he had not intruded his startling news before. He would neither ask nor expect sympathy

entions he had spurned so madly-he would bring her to his people and leave to her sweet

-Rose. He phrased it simply, as to a little child. He reminded her of the old story

happy in the little log house. But you must come with me-your husband. Come down the Big Road, letting me lead you, and you must

ed his letter he sealed it, addressed it, and putting it in an envelope with a short note of explanation to Jim

aid its hold upon Pine Cone, he felt sure. So while he waited he plunged eagerly into each day's work and with delight saw how everything seemed to

im than now when he realized the hurt he must cause them. There were moments when he felt that he could not bear the eyes of Lynda-those friendly, trusting eyes. Would she ever be able, in the years to come, to forgive and forget? And Brace-how could that frank, direct nat

t the close of an exhausting day when

was going to start South on the morrow, whether a letter came or not. He had steeled himself for the crucial hour with his friends; had already, in his imagination, bidden farewell to the relations that

as they crossed the hall afterward,

you, Con? The maid laid the

vacant chair, singing "To-morrow's Song" in that sw

Truedale carried them all into the library where Brace sat comfortably puffing away before the fire; and Lynda, some designs for interior decoration spread out before her

uld ever be indifferent to a possible offer to tutor, I would have laughed at

ssion, and outlined this for me"-she waved her hand around the room-"I'd have called the janitor to put out an

and furnishing of the hospital. I told him to choose his man and he prefers you if I have no objection. Objec

hose broad, clean spaces! How I shall see Uncle William in ev

nd an enclosed letter fell out, bearing t

edale's chair; he turned the light on and, while his face

dently been sorely perplexed as to the pro

oc McPherson, not kno

uation, his words ran on almost unbroken an

l me that Nella-Rose had married Burke Lawson and run to safer parts and when I got over the shock I was certainly thankful for being a sheriff ain't all it might be when your ideas of justice and liking gets crossed. I didn't ask any more questions. Peter was sober-he only lies when he's drunk and not having any wish to rouse Marg I just come away and burned the letter what you sent. But I've done some thinking on my own 'count since your letter came and I reckon I've studied the thing clear on circumstantial evidence which is what I mostly have to go on in the sticks. I certainly done you a black insult that day I came upon you and Nella-Rose. I didn't let on, and I never will, about her being to my place, but no wonder the poor child was terrible upset when I came in. She had come to me, so I study out, and found you-stark

call to overlook in another-your welco

WH

er

ning-false, ridiculously false of course, but none the less designed as an explanation and excuse. Then the non-essentials

Kendall asked from

Dead t

easier when you

oubt

f a nap," Lyn

; but that she had gone from his love and faith into the arms of another man was incredible. No; she was safe, probably in hiding; she would write him. She had the address-she was keen and quick, even though she was helpless to cope with the lawlessness of her mountain environment. Truedale saw the necessity of caution, not for himself, but for Nella-Rose. He could not go, unaided, to search for her. Evidently there had been wild doings after he left; no one but White and Nella-Rose knew of his actual existence-he must utilize

imself unmercifully in the still room where his two frie

ove his purpose. And then, like a sweet fragrance or a spirit touch, his love pleaded for him. He had been weak, but not vicious. The unfettered life had clouded his reason, and his senses had played him false, but love was untarni

pted, in the fullest sense, his people and his people's code-how would he st

dream?" Lynda touched

mighty

n your mind. They say once you have put a d

dark, sorrowful

ugh, "but it was the kind that eludes-words. The creeping, eating impre

dale, for the firelight had betrayed the truth. Truedale had not been

forward and threw his entir