y,
Victor LeCroix.

CHAPTER XIX

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
o