The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-18
THE QUALITY OF MERCY
A Story Of Contemporary
American Life.
Bv WILLIAM DEAN HoWELlS
Copyright 1851. ~ v. D. HovsilsS
Part TMREn

PART TMREn
CHAPTER xI
rn.re was trouble with the telegraph and
..,.nhone connections between Hathboro' and
nantv,ssst, and Adelins had to 20 to the
s.nsrai without an answer to Elbridge's
Ss.sssa Below her surface interest In the
s.s.mony and tho behavior Of the mourners
"a ths friends. which nothing could have
.,,.r.t.d but the actual presence Of calamity.
.ssh.d a neither misery Of alternating hope
"a Isar. OF anxieties continually reasoned
- and OF security lost tho instant Il was
800 Tho double strain told 30 upon her
80. that whom tho rites at tho grave were
.sd.d she sent word 10 the clergyman and
.N.ously begged him to drive homo with her.
.vnv. aren't you we'll. Miss Northwiok r he
....A With a glance at her troubled face. -
4. sot into the covered sleigh with her.
an ves." she said. and she nung herself
S.,s sssinst the cushioning and began to CRY.
.poor Mr.. Newton's grief has been very try
..s M said gently and with certain Sc
u ~ a. smlls he had. and no added. - II no
.sansht n we'll to lure Miss Northwick from
~ .inor sfniction that We feel for others
1900, 70 the sorrow itself. 1t has been .
s.rr,hIs blow TO her-so sudden. and her only
s .nh n isn't that" said Adsline. frankly.
.usvs-hsye you seen ths-papsr this morn
mgr .,
u.v ~ the duty before me- I thought
couldn't read t. Il there anything particular
htT
mt besn able to separate herself from tho
drssdiul thing. and she took II out Of tho car
d.ee rocket There has boom an accident
an the railroad" she began firmly. but she
broke down In the effort to 60 on. And I
wanted TO have you see II see ~ She stopped.
and handed him the paper.
He took It and ran over the account OF the
accident, and came at her trouble with an In.
slant intelligence that was In itself . sort OF
reinsurance But had you any reason to
suppose your father was on the trainp"
"No." she said from the strength he gave
hsr. THAT ls tho strange part about It He
went up to the Mills. yesterday morning. and
he couldn't have been on the train at oil Only
the name"
1T isn't quito the name" said Wade. with .
esntle moderation. Is II he would not willingly
make too much Of the difference. and felt
truth TO be too sacred TO be tempered with
syen while II had merely the form Of posi-
hity.
-No." said Adeline. eager 10 be oomforted.
"snd I'm sure he's at the Mills. Ebridge has
sent despatch to find out II he's there but
there must bo something tho matter with the
telegraph. We hadn't heard before the funeral:
o.. 1t least. no didn't bring mo word: and
hated 10 keep round after him whom"
he probably hadn't heard." said the clergy
man. soothinaly. and no news is good news,
you know. But hadn't We better drive round
By tho station. and ind out whether any
answer has boon"
20. mol I couldn't do thatr said Adelins.
nsrvcusy. "They will telephone the answer
upto Nbridgs. But come homo with me. II
you haven't something to do. and stay with NJ
till We
oh. very Willingly On the way the young
Clergyman talked 1.-THE accident. guessing that
her historical ooniectures had heightened the
horror. and that he should mako It loss dread
full By exploring its facts with her. He did not
declare II impossible her father should have
bssn ON the train. but he urged the extreme
.Elbridge and his wife passed them. driving
rapidly In Simpsons BOBBY. which Adeline
had ordered for their use at the funeral. and
whom she got into the house EbridRe was
waiting there for her. He began at once:
" Miss Northwick. don't believe but what
your fathers stayed over ct Springfield for
something. He was talking to me last week
about some bosses there"
Isn't he at the Millsr she demanded
sharply.
Ebridge gave his hat turn on his hand be-
fore he looked up. well no. no hain't been
yet-"
Adeline made no sound. but she sank down
- column Of water sinks.
At tho confusion Of movements aud voices
that followed Suzette came to the door OF the
library and looked wonderingly into tho hall.
whore this had happened. with . book clasped
over her finger. What In the world is the
matter2" she asked with Q sort Of sarcastic
amaze. at sight Of Elbridge lifting something
from the floor.
Don't be alarmed. Miss Bu1ette." said Mr..
Wade. your sister seems . little faint.
and
Its this sickening heati" cried tho girl.
running to the door. and setting It wide. 1T
sunocatss mo whom come In from the out
side III get some water" She vanished and
was back again instantly. STOPPING over Ade-
line to wet her forehead and temples. The
rush Of the cold air began to revive her. She
opened her eyes. and Suzette said. severely.
What has come over you. AdelIne7 Aren't
you we'll r and - Adeline answered nothing.
she went on: II don't believe she knows
where she 10. Let Us get her Into the library
on the lounge"
She put her strength with that Of tho young
clergyman. and they carried Adeline TO the
lounge. suzetts despatched Elbridge. hang
ing helplessly about. for some Of tho women.
He sent the psrlor maid. and did not como
back.
Adeline kept looking at her sister as II she
we're afraid Of her. When she was recovered
sufaciently to speak. she turned her eyes on
the Clergyman. and said huskily. Tell her."
"Your sister has had little fright" he be-
san. and with Ills gentle eyes on the girls no
vent on to deal the pain that priests and ply
s'clans must give. There's tho report Of
railroad accident In the morning paper. and
among the passengers-the missing-was one
oithe nsme Of Northwiok-"
But father 10 at the Millsi"
Your sister had telegraphed before the
funeral. to make sure-snd word has come
that he-isn't there"
Who're 10 the paperT demanded SuEette.
with kind OF naughty incredulity.
Wade found 1t In his pocket, where he must
nave put 1t instead OF giving 1t back to Ado
n fha trt, 49,