The Shield of Silence

Soul's strength on. Learn, nor count t

w what was to happen. It was th

all the material at hand, and was b

. She was about to smash into the safe joyousness of things as they were! She threatened Nancy's toys. And Mary, alone, took h

mutely in Mary's

lonely; so terrib

or for, Joan had materialized-

le?" asked Mary of that deep knowledge in her busy bra

k her back, back to a dark night-she was peering, aided by

r thin, flat bosom heaved and

ed his perplexity concerning Dor

Joan broke i

ned but did

stood. Martin never spoke openly about his family affairs. Until

" Doris smil

e that you will take mor

d, but I thought you

I do not want you to enjoy

in, delightedly, "Aunt Dorrie is just plain

ned to Joan, not Nancy who

horseback-lead up to it,

ancy drew near. Her k

to Nancy, "after Joan gets her o

zedly, as one thinking his legs have been

ll people, and just when there was so much

started for the West and Joa

he situation, for with i

as Uncle Jed had,

, and gladly entered into all the plans for carryin

id not venture to refer to it in detail; "I thought when the Sisters went away this beautif

head and, standing so in the doorway, besought a

ed, through Father Noble's interpretation, to ignore the stolid indifference of the people; they played for, not with, the shy chi

y, "they will watch the trails for your coming back. They never for

and with greater need for sympathy Joan made ready to demolish Nancy's toys. She came into the living room one

aught her, and she gave the impression, si

in Nancy's affections. As Joan entered the dogs raised their absurd hea

ked Joan, poising herself

ied, bent over the snarl sh

spoke ill-naturedly; "I know it's haunted. If we don't

readle to its duty. The clacking n

ere-that's why she takes to the chapel

er thread and

ke a dear, silly old pioneer?" The lau

y said, fatuously, "to have count

an, but don't be a prig." Joan's words struc

lose to Nancy. "I'm a beast. Isn't it queer to b

se don't talk and act so." Nanc

d." Joan flung herself in a cha

when you've done all the thin

ys be new duties

ung to play with duties-you'll hurt yo

n armful of wood. His bleared eyes clung to

o follow him. She spoke musing

und," she said. "It isn't decent. He ought to be tucked up i

e me afraid!" Nancy came from

ent and drew Nancy's fair head to her

s it? What is

'd be wrecked if I didn't steer well out into the open. And when I get as far as that, I know that I couldn't find my way out even if-if everything let go

speration of helpless youth. No perspectiv

wait until you see the way?" N

is to push off the rocks-then I'll ha

ead back as if s

n Mary came

sheep-was clutched over her thin body; a huge quilted hood-Mar

e announced, "as I came

out to Joan and p

e letter, had power to grip Nancy's

Joan going away! Going away as she had n

ered, and Joan tore open the envelo

Her dream has come true. She

not!" All that Nancy dared to pu

Joan impressed.

Nancy's words

rie shall

breath coming quick, walked from the roo

at its close, and a rift in the sullen clouds showed the gold b

est treasures of thought there. She had been thinking that afternoon of David Martin. How wise he wa

go close to Doris-the physical touch was

have a letter fr

talent. She had inherited enough to take her comfortably through school, had a small income besides, but she would have to work and win her way to the success she promised. Sylvia'

down in that part of the city which Uncle David doesn't like, the place where he says folks

smile. The girl was trying to clear all obstacles

o orders for book covers, alread

d with ammunition and Joa

ten, Aunt

her knee; her hands were tre

what Sy

the east; stars and sunlight on tap from the windows. We are on top of the city and nothing hinders

about the poem which dealt with proving your soul?-how you spouted it. I know that you are gifted, child, but the world doesn't. If we fail, you at least ca

empty-handed-it's the only honest way. Come prepared t

he squareness of this offe

e-the little chapel was fl

rstanding of the girl across the room. She wanted to push her on her way instead of ho

nothing could hold her back-but still the

it isn't-but I can never know until I try. Dearie-I will do just what you say. I will, and I wi

across the room. The sunlight fell full on

our faith in me, darling. G

lt no need of the affectionate human contact; it was more

ature, believing in herself, waited for another in whom she trusted and for whom she held a deep-founded affection. Doris felt her way in silence-relinquishing, loving, fearing, but never blinded. She k

lf speaking as if a third

in the spirit with which Sylvia is meeting it. She

Aunt D

t would be easier for me t

Aunt D

its only true way-the hard, struggling way-it is not because I

Dorrie, I do un

tle Joan, I wish you luck and success, but if you find the chance is not your

Dorrie-though that always seemed good enough. Why"-And here Joan slipped to her feet and danced lightly in the sunny room tossing her hair and swaying gracefully-"wh

the motion as she might a figment loose in the sunlight. It was as