River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-02-19

1t was the bitterest moment of life
which had had IFS full share of sorrow.
Lucy answered:
"Tell Esther to keep the money. |
can live without it. But, Mrs. Norman,
Esther's husband, my dear cousin
Harry, would have been poor man
had it not been for my money, Igave
it to him to help him along. Esther's
charge of usury is cruel and unjust. L
never cared for money, and what Harry
thought l do not know"
Mrs. Norman rose, and extended
trembling hand to Lucy.
"D0 not blame ME Esther made me
come: but it is the hardest trial of a
| life which has had many"
Lucy took the withered old hand IN
kindly clasp.
know il must be 50. | believe you
are as sorry as | am. The hardest thing
| 20 bear Is that the wound comes from
Esther. II isn't the money. it's the break
ing up of the dear old ties, for | can
never forgive Esther for charging me-
az innocent as a babe in the affair
with usury."
Lacy set herself to work to find out
what resources she could fall back up
on. Now that her outside income was
cut off she would have to give up the
charities which had become a part of
her daily life, unless something was
speedily done, She set to work in earn
est to make her land produce golden
harvest the choicest fruits were sent to
market-the rest were transformed in
to some.temptlng shape and sent away.
Every morning brought its demands
for persistent industry and brought her
a rich reward; not alone in money, but
in bright eyes and rosy cheeks, and a
1.-THE suppleness of figure. Lucy was
interesting at fifteen-at twice that age
she was positively pretty
Tie change at Trevor Hall was the
subject of much comment, and, occur
ing So soon after MIR. Trevor's death,
many shrewd surmises were made. But
the ones most interested made no sign,
and it remained conjecture.
Esther and Lucy rarely met and when
they did it was as strangers.
Lucy's spirit was gentle one, but
the deep sense of injury in having the
most unselfsh act of her life thus re-
warded reused her indignation. She
secretly longed for the children's pres
euce in her home, but she fought
against the feeling.
About two years after young Mr.. Ire
vors death, gentleman called at the
Hall and sent up his card.
Lucy went into the parlor, expecting
to see some mature dealer in farm pro-
duCe
Her cheeks were rosy from exertioA,
and some stray locks had escaped from
her smoothly-brushed brown uair, and
curled tendril-like around her white
forehead.
i gentleman rose as she entered, and
introduced himself as Vincent Reynolds,
the former friend and legal adviser OF
her cousin, Mr.. Henry Trevor.
Lucy requested him to be seated, Sc
cretly wondering that he should call
upon her. He did not leave her long
in ignorance.
"Miss Trevor" he said, my errand
to-day is probably an unnecessary one;
but III accordance with my dear friends
wish [ am here. Years ago he left with
me package to be opened two years
after his death. 1t was unsealed yester.
day, and proved to be a legal document
which secured to his cousin, Miss Lucy
Trevor, the sum of ten thousand
pounds, in payment of borrowed money
for which she had no security. An &C
complnying note says that his dear
wife has no doubt fulfilled his wishes in
the matter; but to guard against accident,
he wishes me to see if all is right at the
specified time. have come to see you
this morning to ask for information"
Lucy Trevor rose agitatedly,
81 beg that you will let this matter
rest cannot give you an answer"
Vincent Reynolds rose also.
81 am sorry to disobey YOU, Miss
Trevor, but | must know the truth. If
you do not tell me, Il must go to Mrs.
Trevor for information. l am as much
bound by Mr.. Trevor's letter as though
he were my living client and had given
me verbal instructions.
Lucy made one more effort.
81 do not need the money, Mr.. Rey-
nolda. and l will be very grateful if you
will say no more about it."
Miss Trevor, it would be precious
treasure to me-a lady's gratitude-but
| shall certainly see that you have your
rights. In time you will see that it Is
the only course an honorable man
could take"
Lacy bowed coldly, and ne took his
leave.
The same morning he had an inter
view with Esther.
She did not hesitate to tell him the
course she had taken and her reasons
for it.
Vincent Reynolds listened. to her
statement in surprise. Then he said;
II will read your husbands letter to
YOU, Mrs. Trevor. twill perhaps, give
you Il better understanding of the mat
ter than the simple memorandum which
you tell me you found among the pa
pers.'
So, in his rich, deep voice, he read
the simple story as Harry had written
it down in the first flush of his gratitude.
When he came to the clause which
revealed his trust to his ''dear wife Es-
ther, his reading was interrupted by
burst Of tears from the proud woman
who had betrayed that trust.
81 am a cruel, wicked woman! | have
disobeyed my husband! | have wrong
ed and insulted my friend Can | be
forgiven if | make reparation at once?
Will you 60 with ME to Miss Trevor? |
shall have no peace until | confess my
error"
Esther had acted in good faith She
had considered herself the injured party,
and now, with her ewes opened to the
truth, she vas sincere in her penitence
as she mad been firm in her first resolu
ton.
The carriage was ordered, and Esther
for once shaken from her cool cOmplac-
ency, accompanied Mr. Reynolds 10
Lacy's door. 1t stood open, and, mo-
tioniag her companion to the parlOr, she
went straight to Lucy's room. She
tapped.
Lucy's voice said; Come
she opened the door and remained
standing on the threshold. Lucy rose
to her feet in silent surprise. Esther
ran swiftly towards her, and, throwing
herself upon her knees. grasped her
hands convulsively.
"Forgive me, Lucy! | have wronged
you. For Harry's sake, forgive me!'
Lucy remained silent.
Jus. then little Hal rushed joyously
into the house, and, as in good old
times, went straight to Lucy's room,
and paused in childish surprise when he
saw his mother at Lucy's feet.
Lucy turned and met his eyes. OF a
sudden, resentment died out of her