VALLEY

i88RAINBOW VALLEYments or entreaties could move him. DisappointedJem, who did not care for the long dark walk to FourWinds Point alone, retreated to his museum in thegarret and buried himself in a book. He soon forgothis disappointment, revelling with the heroes of oldromance, and pausing occasionally to picture himselfa famous general, leading his troops to victory on somegreat battlefield.Walter sat at his window until bedtime. Di creptin, hoping to be told what was wrong, but Walter couldnot talk of it, even to Di. Talking of it seemed togive it a reality from which he shrank. It was tortureenough to think of The it. crisp, withered leavesrustled on the maple trees outside his window. Theglow of rose and flame had died out of the hollow,silvery sky, and the full moon was rising gloriouslyover Rainbow Valley. Afar off, a ruddy wood firewas painting a page of glory on the horizon beyondthe hills.It was a sharp, clear evening when far-awaysounds were heard distinctly. A fox was barkingacross the pond; an engine was puffing down at theGlen station; a blue jay was screaming madly inmaple grove; there was laughtertheover on the manselawn. How could people laugh? How could foxesand blue jays and engines behave as ifnothing weregoing to happen on the morrow ?"Oh, I wish it was over," groaned Walter.He slept verylittle that night and had hard workchoking down his porridge in the morning. Susan was