Shadow Mountain. Coolidge Dane

down into the Great Valley; and, glancing up at the sun, he turned around slowly and rumbled back into town. Shadow Mountain rose before them; it towered above the valley like a brooding image of hate but as he smiled farewell at the sad-eyed Virginia something moved him to take her hand.

      “Good-by,” he said, “you’ll be gone when I come back. But if you get into trouble–let me know.”

      He gave her hand a squeeze and Virginia looked at him sharply, then she let her dark lashes droop.

      “I’m in trouble now,” she said at last. “What good did it do to tell you?”

      He winced and shrugged his shoulders, then gazed at her again with a challenge in his eyes.

      “If you’d trust memore,” he said very slowly, “perhaps I’d trust you more. What is it you want me to do?”

      “I want you to answer me–yes or no. Shall I keep my stock, or sell it?”

      “You keep it,” he answered, and avoided her eye until she climbed out and entered the house.