self for the sake of a
line--starve for the love of a rhythm."

Randy had not yet starved for love of a rhythm, but he had lost sleep
during those nights in France, trying to put into words the things that
gripped his soul. There had been beauty as well as horror in those
days. What a world it had been, a world of men--a striving, eager
group, raised for the moment above sordidness, above self----

He had not found verse his medium, although he had drunk eagerly of the
golden cups which others had to offer him. But his prose had gained
because of his belief in beauty of structure and of singing lovely
words. As yet he had nothing to show for his pains, but practice had
given strength to his pen--he felt that some day with the right theme
he might do--wonders----

The trees had again closed in about him. A shadow flitted by--a fox,
unafraid and in search of a belated meal. Randy remembered the days
when he and Becky had thought that there might be wolves in the forest.
He laughed a little, recalling Becky's words. "Sister Loretto has the
feeling that the world is a dark forest, and that I am Red Riding
Hood." Was it that which had brought him back? Was there, indeed, a
Wolf?

When he reached Huntersfield, and the dogs barked, he had feared for
the moment discovery. He was saved, however, by the friendly silence
which followed that first note of alarm. The dogs knew him and
followed him with wagging tails as he skirted the lawn and came at last
to the gate which had closed a few minutes before on Dalton's car. He
saw the Judge go in. Aunt Claudia, Becky--shadowy figures between the
white pillars.

Then, after a moment, a room on the second floor was illumined. The
shade was up and he saw the interior as one sees the scene of a play.
There was the outline of a rose-colored canopy, the gleam of a mirror,
the shine of polished wood, and in the center, Becky in pale blue, with
a candle in her hand.

And as he saw her there, Randolph knew why he had come. To worship at
a shrine. That was where Becky belonged--high above him. The flame of
the candle was a sacred fire.

CHAPTER IV

RAIN AND RANDY'S SOUL

I

Madge came down the next morning dressed for her journey. "Oscar and
Flora are going to take me as far as Washington in their car. They
want you to make a fourth, Georgie."

Dalton was eating alone. Breakfast was served at small tables on the
west terrace. There was a flagged stone s