Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-05-05

through the all, anu the moving Oh the
wind down the glen.
Mary Trefoil was tripping around
the kitchen, with an unwonted tinge of
color in her cheeks, and her soft,
brown hair parted from her forehead,
and red ribbon tied at the side. She
stopped, with a milking IN her hand,
and looked at Doctor Fitch, brightly.
81 am like different creature, sir"
said she; thanks to you"
$50 it's all going right, eh?" said the
doctor. "You like the placer"
Il am perfectly happy here" said
Mary. "But, oh, doctor, l have no
one to consult, and I've asked myself
the question so many times over that
everything seems distorted in my eyes!
l wonder if might dare to speak out
my mind to you?
"What on earth is the girl talking
about 7" said Doctor Fitch.
'IfI could only see the prison chap
lain"
"Come, I'll officiate as prison chap
lain, for the time being" said Doctor
Fitch, good humoredly. "Out with
your troubled What is it?'
"Well, tit isn't exactly trouble"
confessed Mary, busying herself with
polishing the great red apples which
were to be the crowning glory of the
dessert. "But I think-I am almost
certain-that Daniel Glover is getting
fond Of me?'
"HaI-lol" said the doctor.
'Oh, DOCTOR" faltered poor Mary,
Fought to tell him all ?"
"Hold your tongue" said the doctor,
brusquelY. "a close mouth makes a
wise headl You say you are innocent
Of all those charges?'
* was innocent" cried Mary. II am
innocent p
every well" said DR.. Fitch; "then
you are as good as he is.
And, with few kindly words, he rode
on.
But as Mr.. and Mrs. Glover were COM
ing leisurely home from church, with
| Daniel sauntering behind, sullen-eyed
tramp slouched up to the former,
touching his cap.
BE you the grist- mill mani" said
he.
II am the miller, friend" said Mr..
| Glover"
"Well, them" said the dusty footed
stranger, lit is my bounden duty to tell
you that you're harboring prison-bird
in your home"
/ "What?" cried old Mrs. Glover
j Il knows il, blamed WE'LL" asserted
the man, "'cos / was in quod at the
same time she was. Theft for she, and
drunk and disorderly for me- And ]
wouldn't have bowed on her, but she
refused me drink Of cider, and would
not let me in to warm my feet. | AIM
no tale bearer; but there's some things
rs flesh and blood won't bear"
| "He staIked on, muttering to himself
while Mr.. and Mrs. Glover and Daniel
stared at each other in Mortified amaze.
ment.
"Mother, is it true?" said Daniel.
/ at can't be, said the old lady
"Ask herself" said the miller
grimly.
Mary met them at the door, with a
radiant smile The dinner was all
ready; the humble array of silver and
china sparkled on the board; the fire
blazed upon the clean-swept hearth.
81 am 80 glad you have come backr'
said she. Not that | was afraid TO be
alone, but there was an Unlocking man
along just now Oh. why do you
look at me SO strangely? Is anything
/ the natter"
! There is much the NATTER" said
the old miller, sternly. answer me,
girl"
Father, you shall not be harsh to
her" said Daniel Glover. "Come
here, Mary. Lean on me Nay, do
| not tremble SO. What is there to he
afraid of? We all know that the brute
spoke liesr
is il lie" faItered Mrs. Glover,
that you you were in PRISON."
1T is no lie" said May, turning
deadly white. Il served sentence in
Exmouth prison; but but | never was
guilty Circumstances were against
! me. L"
"Then, sternly uttered the old man,
''you must leave this house"
eff she goes, father" said Daniel
Glover, firmly. 81 go with her. For
| trust her. believe in her"
Daniel, are you crazy?" said his
mother.
At that moment, Doctor Fitch rode
up, looking flushed ami excited, yet
pleased withal. He sprung off his
horse and walked into the house, look
ing keeuly about him.
Good people" said he, what is all
this about?'
1--WE have just heard" walled Mrs.
Glover, that our Mary is Il convict. "
"Pshaw~ said Doctor Fitch. so il
has got around to your ears, has il I!
Well. | have just heard that she isn't.
| have come from the hospital ward.
\ man was brought in, fatally wound
ed i'll il liquor saloon aflray. | exam
med his hurts. My man, said |, If
you have any atltirs to settle, they had
not six hours to live Said he, If |
am diving, there's one or two things |
would like to saw And then, in sol
emn confession, he said, among other
black and wicked revelations, that he
was one Of the burglars III the famous
Charters case that he hid the silver
in Mary Trefoils trunk, when, at last
he found himself unable TO carry it all
away, she being seamstress in the Char
tens family, and entirely ignorant of
the whole thing-that he was too close
~ tracked to contrive TO return, and SO
she was convicted through circumstan-
tial evidence, being, to use the wretch )
own words, 'as innocent as u baby all
the time. lie is dying man now, I'M
der the chaplain's care, but he does his
hest to right you, Mary Trefoil, in the
sight of the world"
Mary" said the miller, Il was wrong
just now when spoke mp 50 sudden,
Win you forgive me?"
MARY, don't look So pale, soothed
Mrs. Glover. Here drink some of
this cold water
MARY, dearest" whispered Daniel,
rs his arm stole around her waist. |
knew all along that you were innocent.
| knew You were too good and pure 10
be aught else. =
And the last words revived her most
of all.
DR. Fitch stayed to help them eat the
thanksgiving dinner which Mary pre-
pared So daintily-the brown and
oleaginous turkey, the cinnamon flaw
ored apple pies the baked potatoes
and mince tarts, with the nuts and
sparkling cider afterward And when
he rose up to go, he said. laughing:
well, and when is the wedding to
be?"
christmas nlease God =" Daniel