“Yes,” he pursued. “So it was. I’ve been there. I must look into it again. It’s one more place. You were born and raised there, you say? Lived there some time? Wait! Did you ever happen to see the mate to this, in curiosity shops, say, or among relics of the old-timers?”
Thereupon he unsnapped a small protective leather case and passed me the half of a silver coin, pierced as if it once had been strung.
“An old half dollar?” I hazarded.
“Yes. If you’ve aviator’s eyes you can read the lettering around the rim, young man.”
So I could. “God Be With You——” was the legend, unfinished as if cut short. He was gazing anxiously at me, his lips a-tremble. I turned the piece over and passed it back.
“No,” said I; “I never happened to see the other half. A keepsake?”
His face set sternly. He restored the half coin to its case.
“A keepsake. You are married, young man?”
“Not yet.”
“Don’t,” he barked. “Don’t. Pray God you may be spared that.”