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<v Speaker 1>Chapter thirty of Cloudy Jewel. This is a LibriVox recording.

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<v Speaker 1>All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more

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<v Speaker 1>information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording

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<v Speaker 1>by Jenny Lundack Cloudy Jewel by Grace livingstone Hill, chapter thirty.

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<v Speaker 1>But matters came to a climax with Howard Letchworth before

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<v Speaker 1>Allison had any opportunity to do any fixing. The next

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<v Speaker 1>day was class day, and there were big doings at

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<v Speaker 1>the college. Howard kept out of the way, for it

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<v Speaker 1>was a day on which he had counted much, and

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<v Speaker 1>during the winter once or twice he and Leslie had

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<v Speaker 1>talked of it as a matter of course that they

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<v Speaker 1>would be around together. His class day had seemed then

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<v Speaker 1>to be of so much much importance to her, and

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<v Speaker 1>now now she was going to attend it in Clive

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<v Speaker 1>Terence's company. Terence had told him so, and there seemed

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<v Speaker 1>no reason to doubt his word. She went everywhere with him,

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<v Speaker 1>and he was their guest. Why shouldn't she so. Howard

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<v Speaker 1>went glumly about his duties, keeping as much as possible

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<v Speaker 1>out of everyone's way. If he had not been a

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<v Speaker 1>part of the order of exercises and a moving spirit

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<v Speaker 1>of the day. As it were, he would certainly have

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<v Speaker 1>made up an excuse to absent himself. As it was.

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<v Speaker 1>He meditated trying to get some one else to take

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<v Speaker 1>his place, and was on his way to arrange it

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<v Speaker 1>just before the hour for the afternoon exercises to begin,

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<v Speaker 1>when suddenly he saw coming up the wide asphalt walk

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<v Speaker 1>of the campus young Terence and the girl who had

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<v Speaker 1>come to be known among them as the freshman vamp.

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<v Speaker 1>His eyes hastily scanned the groups about and searched the

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<v Speaker 1>walk as far as he could see it, but nowhere

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<v Speaker 1>could he discover Leslie. With a sudden impulse, he dashed

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<v Speaker 1>over to Julia Cloud, and, forgetful of much of his

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<v Speaker 1>late estrangement, spoke with much of his old eagerness, albeit

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<v Speaker 1>trying his best to appear careless and matter of fact,

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<v Speaker 1>isn't Leslie hereabouts somewhere? Miss Cloud? I believe? I promised

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<v Speaker 1>to show her the ivy that our class is to plant.

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<v Speaker 1>It was the first excuse he could think of, But

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<v Speaker 1>Julia Cloud was full of sympathy and understanding, and only

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<v Speaker 1>too glad to hear the old ring of friendliness in

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<v Speaker 1>his voice. She lowered her tone and spoke confidentially. She

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<v Speaker 1>wouldn't come, Howard. I don't just know what has taken her,

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<v Speaker 1>she said, She would rather stay at home. Is she

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<v Speaker 1>down there now? Julia Cloud nodded. Perhaps you I will,

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<v Speaker 1>he said, and was off like a dash. On his

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<v Speaker 1>way down the campus, he thrust some papers into a

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<v Speaker 1>classmate's hands. If I don't get back in time, give

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<v Speaker 1>those to Halstead and tell him to look out for things.

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<v Speaker 1>I'm called away. Never in all his running days had

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<v Speaker 1>he run as he did that day. He made the

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<v Speaker 1>station in four minutes when it usually took him six,

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<v Speaker 1>and was at the Cloud villa in two more, all

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<v Speaker 1>out of breath but radiant. Something jubilant had been let

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<v Speaker 1>loose in his heart by the smile in Julia Cloud's eyes.

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<v Speaker 1>Utterly unreasonable, of course, but still it had come, and

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<v Speaker 1>he was entertaining it royally. It was rather disheartening to

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<v Speaker 1>find the front door locked and only Cherry to respond

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<v Speaker 1>to his No, isn't miss Leslie here? He asked, a

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<v Speaker 1>blank look coming into his eyes. As Cherry appeared, miss

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<v Speaker 1>Leslie done just skittered across the backyard with a paddle

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<v Speaker 1>in her hand. I reckon, she's gone to the creek,

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<v Speaker 1>missus Jewles. She'll be powerful upset if she comes back

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<v Speaker 1>and finds out she don't like. Miss Leslie go down

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<v Speaker 1>to them canoes all by her lonesome. It's all right, Cherry,

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<v Speaker 1>said Robert, cheering up. I'll go down and find her.

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<v Speaker 1>Got an extra paddle anywhere? Or did she take them both? No, sir,

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<v Speaker 1>she only took to one. Here's the other. I reckon.

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<v Speaker 1>She'll be right glad to see you, Master Howard. We

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<v Speaker 1>all has missed you, mighty powerful lot. That there, little

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<v Speaker 1>fish eyed lady man? What is visitin' us? Ain't no

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<v Speaker 1>kind of subs to two tall for you? Howard beamed

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<v Speaker 1>on her silently and was off like a shot for

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<v Speaker 1>forgetful of the chimes on the clock of the College,

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<v Speaker 1>which were now striking the hour at which he was

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<v Speaker 1>to have led the procession down the ivy walk to

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<v Speaker 1>the scene of festivities. Over two fences across lots, down

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<v Speaker 1>a steep rocky hill, and he was at the little

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<v Speaker 1>landing where the cloud canoe usually anchored. But Leslie and

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<v Speaker 1>her boat were gone. No glimpse of bright hair either

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<v Speaker 1>up or down the stream gave hint of which she

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<v Speaker 1>had taken. No ripple in the water even to show

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<v Speaker 1>where she had passed, But he knew pretty well her

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<v Speaker 1>favorite haunts up stream, where the hemlocks bowed and bent

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<v Speaker 1>to the water and made dark shadows under which to slip.

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<v Speaker 1>The silence and the beauty called her as they had

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<v Speaker 1>always called him. He was sure he would find her there,

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<v Speaker 1>rather than down stream, where the crowds of inn people

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<v Speaker 1>played around, and the tennis courts over flowed into canoes

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<v Speaker 1>and dawdled about with ukuleles and cameras. He looked about

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<v Speaker 1>for a means of transport. There was only one canoe,

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<v Speaker 1>well chained to its rest. He examined the padlock for

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<v Speaker 1>a moment, then put forth his strong young arm and

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<v Speaker 1>jerked up the rest from its firm setting in the earth.

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<v Speaker 1>It was the work of a second to shoot the

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<v Speaker 1>boat into the water, fling the chains, boat, rest and

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<v Speaker 1>all into the bow and spring. After long, strong, steady strokes,

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<v Speaker 1>and he shot out into the stream and away up

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<v Speaker 1>beyond the willows, around the turn where the chestnut grove

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<v Speaker 1>bloomed in good promise for the autumn, Beyond the railroad

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<v Speaker 1>bridge and the rocks passed the first dipping hemlocks around

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<v Speaker 1>the curve below the old camp where they had had

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<v Speaker 1>so many delightful picnics, and watched the sunset from the

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<v Speaker 1>rocks and on up above the rapids. The current was

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<v Speaker 1>swift to day. He wondered if Leslie had been able

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<v Speaker 1>to pass them all alone. Yet somehow he felt she had,

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<v Speaker 1>and he would find her up in the quiet haven,

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<v Speaker 1>where few ever came, and where she would be undisturbed.

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<v Speaker 1>Paddling Indian, he came around the curve silently and was

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<v Speaker 1>almost upon her, but was unprepared for the little huddled

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<v Speaker 1>figure down in the bottom of the boat, one hand

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<v Speaker 1>grasping the paddle, which was wedged between some stones in

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<v Speaker 1>the shallow stream bed to anchor the frail bark, the

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<v Speaker 1>other arm curved about as a pillow for the face,

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<v Speaker 1>which was hidden with only the bright hair gleaming in

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<v Speaker 1>the stray rays of sunshine that crept through the young

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<v Speaker 1>leaves overhead. Leslie, little girl, my darling, What is the matter?

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<v Speaker 1>He scarcely knew what he was saying, so anxiously he

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<v Speaker 1>watched her. Was she hurt or in trouble? And if so,

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<v Speaker 1>what was the trouble? Did the vapid little guest and

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<v Speaker 1>the freshman vamp have anything to do with it? Somehow

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<v Speaker 1>he forgot all about himself now and his own grievance.

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<v Speaker 1>He only wanted to comfort her, whom he loved, and

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<v Speaker 1>it never entered his head that just at that moment,

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<v Speaker 1>the anxious Halstead was inquiring of everyone, haven't you seen Letchworth?

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<v Speaker 1>Class Dale'll be a mess without him? Something must have

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<v Speaker 1>happened to him. Leslie lifted a tear stained face in

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<v Speaker 1>startled amaze his voice. Those precious words. Leslie heard them,

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<v Speaker 1>even if he took no cognizance of them himself. I you, well,

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<v Speaker 1>you ought to know, burst forth, Leslie. And then down

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<v Speaker 1>went the bright head once more, and the slender shoulders

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<v Speaker 1>shook with long suppressed sobs. It certainly was a good

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<v Speaker 1>thing that the creek was shallow at that point, and

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<v Speaker 1>the canoes quite used to all sorts of conditions. Howard

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<v Speaker 1>Letchworth waited for no invitation. He arose and stepped into

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<v Speaker 1>Leslie's boat, pinioned his own with a dexterous paddle, and

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<v Speaker 1>gave attention to comforting the princess. It somehow needed no

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<v Speaker 1>words for a while, until at last, Leslie lifted a

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<v Speaker 1>woebegone face that already looked half appeased, and inquired, sobbily,

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<v Speaker 1>what what made you act so perfectly horrid all this time? Why? Uh?

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<v Speaker 1>I began Howard, lamely, wondering, now just why he had?

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<v Speaker 1>Why you see, Leslie, you had company and company that? Now, Howard,

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<v Speaker 1>you weren't jealous of that little excuse for a man,

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<v Speaker 1>were you? Howard colored guiltily. Why you see, Leslie, you

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<v Speaker 1>are so far above me? Oh? I was? Was I? Well?

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<v Speaker 1>If I was above you, where did you think that

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<v Speaker 1>other ridiculous little simp belonged? I should like to know?

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<v Speaker 1>Not with me, I hope, But you see, Leslie, somehow

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<v Speaker 1>the great question that had loomed between them these weeks

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<v Speaker 1>dwarfed and shriveled when he tried to explain it to Leslie. Well,

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<v Speaker 1>well I've just found out you are very rich. Well,

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<v Speaker 1>well I'm poor. But I thought you just said you

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<v Speaker 1>loved me, flashed Leslie indignantly. If you do, I don't

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<v Speaker 1>see what rich and poor matter. It'll all belong to

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<v Speaker 1>us both, won't it. I should hope not, said the

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<v Speaker 1>young man, drawing himself up as much as was consistent

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<v Speaker 1>with life in a canoe. I would never let my

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<v Speaker 1>wife support me. Well, perhaps you might be able to

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<v Speaker 1>make enough to support yourself, twinkled Leslie, with mischief in

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<v Speaker 1>a dimple near her mouth. Leslie, now you're making fun.

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<v Speaker 1>I mean this, Well, what do you want me to

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<v Speaker 1>do about it? Give away my money? Of course not.

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<v Speaker 1>I was a cat and all that, But somehow it

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<v Speaker 1>seemed as though I hadn't any business to be coming

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<v Speaker 1>around you when you were young and with plenty of

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<v Speaker 1>chances of men worth more than I more? What more money, Leslie?

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<v Speaker 1>This is a serious matter with me. Well it is

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<v Speaker 1>with me too, said Leslie suddenly grave. You certainly have

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<v Speaker 1>made me most unhappy for about three weeks. But I'm

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<v Speaker 1>beginning to think you don't love me. After all? What

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<v Speaker 1>is money between people who love each other? Only something

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<v Speaker 1>that they can have a good time spending for others,

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<v Speaker 1>isn't it? And suppose I should say I wouldn't let

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<v Speaker 1>you support me. I guess, after all, if you think

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<v Speaker 1>so much of money, you don't really care, Leslie. Their

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<v Speaker 1>eyes met, and his suddenly fell before her steady beautiful gaze. Well, then,

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<v Speaker 1>Howard letchworth, if you are so awfully proud that you

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<v Speaker 1>have to be the richest. I'll throw away or give

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<v Speaker 1>away all my money and be up. So there, then

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<v Speaker 1>will you be satisfied? What's money without the one you love? Anyway?

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<v Speaker 1>I see, Leslie, I was a fool, you darling, wonderful princess. No,

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<v Speaker 1>keep your money and I'll try to make some more,

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<v Speaker 1>and we'll have a wonderful time helping others with it.

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<v Speaker 1>I suppose I knew I was a fool all the time,

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<v Speaker 1>only I wanted to be told so, because you see

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<v Speaker 1>that fellow told me you and he had been set

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<v Speaker 1>apart for each other by your parents. A sudden lurch

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<v Speaker 1>of the canoe roused him to look at Leslie's face.

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<v Speaker 1>Oh that little liar, Yes he is. He is the meanest, conceitedest,

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<v Speaker 1>most disagreeable little snob there there. We'll spare him, laughed, Howard,

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<v Speaker 1>I see I was wrong again. Only Leslie, little princess,

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<v Speaker 1>there's one thing you must own, his true You're very

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<v Speaker 1>young yet, and you may change now. I like that,

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<v Speaker 1>cried Leslie. You don't even think I have the stability

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<v Speaker 1>to be true to you. Well, if I'm as weak

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<v Speaker 1>looking as that, you better go and find some one else.

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<v Speaker 1>But he stopped her words with his face against her

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<v Speaker 1>lips and his arms about her, And at last she

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<v Speaker 1>nestled against his shoulder and was at peace. Chiming out

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<v Speaker 1>Above the notes of the wood robin and the thrush,

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<v Speaker 1>there came the faint and distant notes of the quarter

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<v Speaker 1>hour striking on the college library. It was Leslie who

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<v Speaker 1>heard it. Howard was still too far up in the

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<v Speaker 1>heights to think of earthly duties. Yet, awhile, Howard, isn't

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<v Speaker 1>this your class day? And haven't you a pardon the exercises?

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<v Speaker 1>Why aren't you there? He turned, with star tardled eyes

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<v Speaker 1>and rising color. I couldn't stay, Leslie. I was too miserable.

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<v Speaker 1>I had to come after you. You promised to be

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<v Speaker 1>with me to day, you know. But your class poem, Howard, quick,

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<v Speaker 1>it must be almost time to read it. He took

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<v Speaker 1>out his watch. Great Scott, I didn't know the time

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<v Speaker 1>had gone like that. Leslie's fingers were already at work

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<v Speaker 1>with the other canoe, tying its chain to the seat

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<v Speaker 1>of her own. Now she turned and picked up her paddle,

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<v Speaker 1>swiftly handing Howard the other one. Go for all you're worth,

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<v Speaker 1>You mustn't fail on this day anyway. Beat it with

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<v Speaker 1>all your might. It's too late, said the man, reluctantly,

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<v Speaker 1>taking the paddle and moving to his right position. It's

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<v Speaker 1>not too late. It shan't be too late. Paddle, I say,

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<v Speaker 1>now one and two and and they settled to a

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<v Speaker 1>rhythmic stroke. It was so wonderful back there, Leslie, said

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<v Speaker 1>Howard wistfully. We oughtn't to let anything interfere with this

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<v Speaker 1>first hour together. This isn't interfering, said Leslie. Practically, it's

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<v Speaker 1>just duty, and that never interferes here. We'll land over

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<v Speaker 1>there and you beat it up the hill. I'll padlock

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<v Speaker 1>the boats by that old tree and follow. But don't

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<v Speaker 1>you dare wait for me. I'll be there to hear

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<v Speaker 1>the first word, and they'll have waited for you, I know,

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<v Speaker 1>a little to the right there. Now step out and

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<v Speaker 1>beat it. He obeyed her, and presently came panting to

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<v Speaker 1>the audience room with a fine color and a great

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<v Speaker 1>light in his eyes. Just as Halstead was slipping down

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<v Speaker 1>to inquire of Allison where the thunder is? Letchworth seen

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<v Speaker 1>him anywhere? Heavens man, hasn't he showed up yet? Asked

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<v Speaker 1>Allison star, where could he be? Julia Cloud beside him,

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<v Speaker 1>leaned over and quietly drew their attention to the figure

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<v Speaker 1>hastening up the aisle. Halstead hurried back to the platform,

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<v Speaker 1>and Allison, relieved, settled once more in his seat. But

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<v Speaker 1>Julia Cloud rested, not in satisfaction until another figure breathlessly

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<v Speaker 1>slipped in with eyes for none but the speaker. Then

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<v Speaker 1>into the eyes of Julia Cloud there came a vision

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<v Speaker 1>as comes to one who watching the glorious setting of

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<v Speaker 1>the sun, sees not the regretful close of the day

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<v Speaker 1>that is past, but the golden promise of the day

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<v Speaker 1>that is to come. End of Chapter thirty recording by

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<v Speaker 1>Jenny Lundak, South Padre Island, Texas. End of Cloudy Jewel

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<v Speaker 1>by Grace Living Kingston Hill,