d his tool and looking up saw her
standing among his trees.

In a second he had dashed across the space between them. "Cinderella,"
he cried, holding her close, "Cinderella, I searched the world over for
you. I hunted day and night but there was no fairy godmother to help
me."

"Perhaps she called me back," Hertha whispered, "I think she called me
back." And then lifting her head and looking into his face that glowed
with love, she gave a sigh of happiness. Her valley of indecision, she
knew now, was passed. Content had come to dwell within her heart.

They talked and laughed and played with each other among the fragrant
trees until the sun rose high above the broad river; then, his arm about
her shoulder, he led her to the great house. On through the orange
groves, where the heavy scented blossoms shone in the deep green leaves,
on along the path by the river bank, the cows munching the blue
hyacinth, on to where the gray moss swayed from the live-oaks. Away from
the cabins and the dark pines, from the circumscribed life, from the
narrow opportunity. Away from the sorrow of the oppressed into the open
spaces of freedom and power.

On the steps of the great house stood old Mr. Merryvale and behind him
Miss Patty, worried that Lee was so late this morning. As Hertha moved
toward them she saw the life that glowed before her, a life filled with
affectionate, reverencing love. She saw herself the favored daughter in
this beautiful old house. She heard the cry of childish laughter
rippling through the rustling trees. Sunshine and gaiety, happy
friendships up and down the river, bright days at home among the orange
trees. Life abundant, limitless in glowing promise.

But as she moved through the sunshine to the broad steps of this stately
home her thoughts went back to the dark pines, the home of her past, and
a throb of pain smote her heart. For on ahead, through the long, happy
years, she saw a black shadow, a shadow of man's making, lying beside
her path.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SHADOW***

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