After the funeral, Shawn appeared as one upon whom had fallen a great
and strange sorrow. He felt as though some dark curtain had suddenly
been lowered between him and all prospects of future happiness. There
now seemed a lingering consciousness which separated him from his old
individuality; something that awakened a flame of anguish within his
heart and sent a tingling rush of blood to his cheek, but Mrs. Alden
came, with her gracious and charitable heart and sought to soothe the
troubled spirit, and her words fell as a blessed benediction into his
soul.
"I'm going to Old Meadows, Mrs. Alden, and there bid farewell to every
hope and joy that I have in this world."
He rode his horse slowly through the old orchard again, where he and
Doctor Hissong had driven that winter morning, but what a change had now
come into his heart. He heard the guineas call again, but every sound
was teeming with sadness.
[Illustration: Lallite ran up to Shawn, giving him both her hands.]
Horton took his horse at the gate, and Major LeCroix met him at the
porch, and his voice had the old-time ring of welcome. "Horton, call
Lally; Shawn has come."
Shawn went into the old family room, Doctor Hissong's will in his hand.
Lallite came down the stairs and ran up to Shawn, giving him both her
hands. Her eyes were beaming the joy of his return, but Shawn stood with
downcast gaze and trembling limbs.
"Lally, here is Doctor Hissong's will. It is fair and just that you read
it, and afterward, I am willing to release you from any obligation."
With a frightened glance, the beautiful girl began to read the will.
Shawn leaned against the old piano and buried his face in his hands.
Presently he felt two soft arms steal about his neck and a gentle voice
saying, "Shawn, would it be the nobler course of a love that should
change or turn against one, who was in no way responsible for the
conditions of birth; to turn against one who has raised himself above
every stigma by his high principle and courage, by tenderness and
unselfishness? No, Shawn, some better spirit guides me, and no matter
what the world may say, I can face it as the woman who loves you, and
that love shall shed its light in such radiance that all the shadows
will flee away."
"Oh, Lally," said Shawn, as he caught her in his arms, "Through all of
this darkness you have been my guiding star. I will start in at the old
office next month." And above the softened glow of the mussel-pearl in
the pin on her breast, two pairs of eyes beamed with the love which
never grows dim with advancing years.
END.
Shawn of Skarrow
By JAMES TANDY ELLIS
Author of
"Sprigs O' Mint," "Kentucky Stories," "Awhile in the Mountains," Etc.
The author of this story of northern Kentucky was born in Carroll
County, Kentucky, on the beautiful Ohio river, where the scene of the
book is laid. He is well known all over his native state, as a writer, a
prince of story tellers, a public speaker and an accomplished musician.
His genial nature is shown not only in his writings, but in all of his
general life, and the characters which he gives us in "Shawn of
Skarrow," put us in closer touch with the simple beauty of men and women
as seen and known through a wholesome and cheerful mind.
Mr. Ellis is the author of a number of books dealing with Kentucky
character and life. His writings are true in their coloring, and carry
with them a delicious "flavor of the soil."
Illustrated Price, $1.00 net
AT ALL BOOKSELLERS OR SENT ON RECEIPT OF PRICE BY
The C. M. CLARK PUBLISHING CO.
Boston Massachusetts
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| Transcriber's Note: |
| |
| Page 18 'Oh sing your praise changed to "Oh sing your praise |
| Page 25 sayin', Ba'r changed to sayin', 'Ba'r |
| Page 32 A mussell, my changed to A mussel, my |
| Page 47 jes'' stracted changed to jes' 'stracted |
| Page 71 he was lead into changed to he was led into |
| Page 75 said Joel 'I am changed to said Joel. 'I am |
| Page 96 of burgoo dipping changed to of burgoo, dipping |
| Page 98 '"The bright moon changed to "'The bright moon |
| Page 114 atmoshpere and nothingness changed to atmosphere and |
| nothingness |
| Page 126 in illustration caption, Cabin of the American changed |
| to Cabin of the America |
| Page 131 now that the had changed to now that he had |
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