Bradford Academy - Chimes Yearbook (Haverhill, MA)

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96 THE CHIMES Oh, Grace ! You know I care-and yet that is not the word to use. I care so muoh I cannot begin to tell you how I feel about it, but my proof that I 'care,' as you call it, is that you shall never go alone. Give up the idea, Grace, and make me happy. Say you will. Her eyes filled with tears. No, we will talk no more of the matter tonight, but I am determined, and I must tell you now that you cannot think of going with me. It would be impossible for me to accomplish the work I am undertaking and yet be with you. Tlren, too, what would the world say? You must see it is quite impossible. I shall be gone three or four years, but when I come back, then if you still feel the same-perhaps-but here we are at the door. I am very tiredl Good-night, and I appreciate your kindness far more than you can realize. Good-night, he murmured, as he lifted her .fingers to his lips and kissed them. 'tGood-night, and may heaven guard you. The sun had just dropped down behind the topmost peak of the Molino mountain range. It was the twilight hour and the streets were deserted. Occasionally someone came out of a house and loitered about the door for a few minutes, but for the most part no signs of life were visible. The little town of Popayan was quiet after its day's Work. The heat of the noon-time was over and the earth was reviving in the evening shadows. The door of one of the low houses opened and a girl came out upon the veranda. Her dark hair caught for a second the last dying radiance of the sun, and her face, lighted by the reflection from the summer sky, was very beautiful. Seating herself on the steps, she leaned back against the pillar of the veranda and looked across at the wood-covered mountains opposite her. Her hands lay idly in her lap and her whole attitude showed complete fatigue. Three years ago tonight, she mused, I was leaving New York for South America. How far away that time seems. Three years! No, three hundred years. And yet tonight I can seem to hear their voices, see them and mingle with them as of old, the loved ones at home. They are rising from the table and gathering before the open tire, Uncle and Aunt and the children. Possibly

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NINETEEN THREE 95 your duty to them! But what nonsense-you are fooling, and I have taken you seriouslyf' You know I am not foolingg far from that, Raynor. There is no reason why I should not go. I have no parents, no one who needs me, and I am sure I could do something there. When I have talked about having a goal in view, a purpose in life, it has been an ideal, but now I see my way clear to make it a reality. I-ler eyes shone with enthusiasm, and as Raynor Waldo watched her he knew she was deeply sincere. But Grace, think! he pleaded, what it all means. I can hardly understand it yet myselff' Yes, that is the reason I told you it was to be a secret, because very few would understand. What do these people whose lives are bound up in society scandals and the latest fads know or care of the way people in foreign lands live and die? Many will condemn me and think I am a fanatic, or slightly unbalanced, perhaps, but what of that? I shall L. Yes, yes, broke in Raynor, but do you realize the dangers? There is one thing I shall insist upon-if you go, I go too. He rose and stepped to the window. It is raining. May I order the carriage and see you home? Yes, and at once, please. I did not realize it was getting so late. I will be ready in a moment. She hastily bade her hostess good-night and withdrew. For a few moments Grace and her escort drove on in silence. Only the pattering of the rain on the carriage roof or the splashing of the horses' hoofs disturbed the quiet. After a few seconds of thought Raynor turned toward her, and in a voice which was almost a command, he began, 'fGrace, I beg of you to stop and consider. If you finally insist upon going, then remember I shall go too, but I want you to fully realize what you are doing. Yes, Raynor, I do realize it all. Iam no longer a child, and I have weighed the whole matter carefully, but, she hesitated a moment and her voice trembled, I had not thought you cared as much-as much as this.

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NINETEEN THREE 97 they are speaking of me, and wondering whether I am happy. Happy? Yes, I have been very happy in the midst of all this sorrow. The night of Mrs. Errington's reception-oh, how far away it seems. Raynor-the way he looked at me-his voice-it all comes over me tonight. Three years! I wonder if I have changed. She. shivered slightly and then rose from the steps. It was dark and the air was cool after the heat of the day. The mountains were black and sombre. She stood gazing into their depths for a moment and then turned to enter the house. CJ Oh, Miss Gracia, here is a letter for you. The mail has just arrived from Bogota! called the peon, and Grace turned eagerly to receive the welcome missive. ff From Raynor! she exclaimed. Ahl it has come like a message of cheer and courage, at a time when I needed it most. She hastily tore open the envelope and read it through. Come home, it said. I have waited three long years, and if you do n't return now I shall come after you. I am in earnest, dear, I shall comef' The letter dropped from her fingers, and she buried her head in her hands and sobbed. He cares, he cares, even now! Oh, I am so happy, so happy. And it shall be as he wishes. I will go. I believe I have accomplished much since I have been here. The doctors have told me I have done more good'than I, myself, can realize, and I know the lepers love me, but I believe I have done my duty and I am going home. Going home -how sweet it sounds. When? In a month? a week? tomorrow? Yes, it shall be tomorrow. I can wait no longer-tomorrow. A step sounded on the veranda. Miss Gracial Miss Gracia! There is a courier here. He would speak with you. Will you admit him? Yes, Francisco, just a moment-there-I am ready, you may bid him enter. The courier, a fine looking Spaniard, entered and bowed respectfully. Miss Gracia, will you come at once to Purifacto? Lionel is dying, and he begs that you will help him to enter into your heaven. I-Ie will talk of