They see him come running up the road, snapping his cold
fingers, and turning occasional handsprings into the snow-drifts in the
fence corners.
Just before he comes whistling up the path with his face twisted into
all sorts of ugly grimaces to make them laugh, he stops at the gate a
moment. Do they wonder what he always sees across those snowy fields, as
he stands and looks away towards Mars' Nat's cottage and the white
churchyard on the hill?
Ah, Bud and Ivy have not had their awakening; but the little brother and
sister are not the only ones who fail to see more than the surface of
John Jay's nature. Under the bubbles of his gay animal spirits runs the
deep current of a strong purpose, and in these moments he is keeping
silent tryst with a memory. He thinks of his promise, and his heart goes
out to his Reverend George on the other side of the toll-gate.
THE END.
[Illustration: Tollgate (down)]
* * * * * * *
Transcriber's notes:
Page 51 Briar Crook church changed to Brier Crook church for
consistency.
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