CHAPTER XXXIV
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Valancyhadtwowonderfulmomentsthatspring.
Oneday,cominghomethroughthewoods,withherarmsfulloftrailingarbutusandcreepingspruce,shemetamanwhosheknewmustbeAllanTierney.AllanTierney,thecelebratedpainterofbeautifulwomen.HelivedinNewYorkinwinter,butheownedanislandcottageatthenorthernendofMistawistowhichhealwayscametheminutetheicewasoutofthelake.Hewasreputedtobealonely,eccentricman.Heneverflatteredhissitters.Therewasnoneedto,forhewouldnotpaintanyonewhorequiredflattery.TobepaintedbyAllanTierneywasallthecachetofbeautyawomancoulddesire.Valancyhadheardsomuchabouthimthatshecouldn’thelpturningherheadbackoverhershoulderforanothershy,curiouslookathim.Ashaftofpalespringsunlightfellthroughagreatpineathwartherbareblackheadandherslantedeyes.Sheworeapalegreensweaterandhadboundafilletoflinn?avineaboutherhair.Thefeatheryfountainoftrailingspruceoverflowedherarmsandfellaroundher.AllanTierney’seyeslightedup.
“I’vehadacaller,”saidBarneythenextafternoon,whenValancyhadreturnedfromanotherflowerquest.
“Who?”Valancywassurprisedbutin
