The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-06
THE QUALITY OF MERCY
A Story of Contemporary
American Life.
By WILLIAM DEAN HOWElLS
Copyright. 1901. by ". D. HowsND
SECOND FART.
CHAPTER XVII.

that OF tho swiftest horse could have seemed
At the crest OF the upland which divides Hat
boro' from South Hatboro'. and just beyont
the avonuo leading TO DR.. Morrell's house. Il,
met Sue Northwck: she was walking quickly
too. She was In mourning. but she had put aside
Nor long Grape veil. and she came townrd hin
with her pro,id face framed I'm the black. and
looking the puicr for 1t; little OF her yellow hail
showed under her bonnet. She moved impe-
riously. and Matt was afraid to think what he
was thinking Mt sight OF her. She seemed no,
10 know him at first or rather not to realize
TINT II was no: whom she did. joyful light
which she did not try to hide from him. flashed
over her visaga: and Mr.. Hilary" she said
as simply aed Hospitality as II their last part
ing had not been on terms "f enmity TINT moth
ing could clear up or explain away.
He ran forward and caught her hand. "Oh.
/ an, 80 glad" he said. .T was going out to
rec you about something-very important; and
Knight have missed YOU"
mo. Twas inst coming to the doctors. and
then was going back Ny sister isn't at all
we'll. and l thought she'd better see the dog
tor"
Its nothing serious. hope"
"Oh. no. Think she's n little worn out"
"Iknow" said Matt with intelligence. and
nothing more was said between them as to tho
cause or nature OF Adoline's sicknesa Matt
asked II lie might go up the doctors avenue
with hor. and they walked along together
under the minGl;ag elm and maple tops. but
he deferred the matter he wished to speak Of.
They found Il littlo Girl playing In the road
noar tho house. and Sue asked: Is your
father ut home. Idelia -
Mamma is ut home" said tho child. She
ran forward. calling toward the open doors
and windows. Mammal Mamma, Hores d
lsdy!"
"k isn't their child" Sue explained. 1T.
tile daughter Of tho minister who was killed
on the railroad hero q year or two ago--a very
strange man. Dir. Peck"
II have heard Wade speak Of him." said
Matt.
Ahandsomc and very happy looking woman
came to the door and stlled the little ones
bostcrous proclamation to the loarso whis-
Per o." "A lady! A LADY," as she took her hnnd;
but she did not rebuke or correct her.
How do you do. Mrs. Morrel1'i said Su-
sette. with rather naughty distance: but
Matt felt that she kept aloof with the pride Of
person who comes from an infected house.
and will not put herself at the risk OF avoid
ance. II wished to see DR.. Morrel about my
sister. She isn't well. Will you kindly ask
him to CALI"
II will send him rs soon as he comes" said
Mrs. Morrell giving Matt that glance OF liking
which no good woman could withhold. I'm
less" she added. you would like to come in
and wait for him."
Thank you. no." said suzette. Unjust 60
back to her Good-by."
"Good-by!" said Mrs. Morrell.
Matt raised his hat and silently bowed: but
- they turned away he said to Suzettc What
ahappy face! What lovely face! What
good FACET
she Is very good woman" said the girl
She has boon very kind to US. But so has
everybody. couldn't have believed it." In
fact. it was only the Kindness of their neigh
boris that had come near the dciaulter's
daughters: the harshness and tho hate had
kept away.
Why shouldn't they be kind? ?" Matt de-.
manded. with his heart instantly in his throat.
II can't magine-at such a time Don't
You know that love you ?" he entreated, as II
that exactly followed there was. perhaps. a
subtle spiritual sequence. transcending all
order OF logic In the expression OF his passion.
She looked at him over her shoulder as he
walked by her side. and said. with neither
surprise nor Joy. How can you say such
thing to me2"
Because 1t is true! Because can't help It,
Because wish to be everything 70 you. and
have to begin by saying that. But don't an
swer mo now: you need never answer me. I
only wish you to use me as you would use
some ono who loved you beyond anything on
earth-es freely as that, and yet not be bound
or hampered by me in the least. Can you do
thst2 mean. can you feel. This is my hest
friend. tho truest friend that any ono can
have. and will let him do anything and every
thing he wishes for meT Can you do that-say
that?"
But how could I do that? Idon't under
stand you!" she said. family.
Don't your lam so glad you don't dri We
me from you---"
II? Your
II was airnid--- But now We can sneak
reasonably about it: don't SEQ why people
sh0uldnt. know it's shocking 30 speak to
you OF such thing ut such time. It's dread
full; aud yot can't feel wrong to hnve doneit
No! HTS as sacred as It seems to no when
think q It then 1t couldn't be wrong in the
Presence ot death itself. lido love you: and
want you somo day for my wife, Yes! But
don't answer that now! II you never answer
me, or II you deny mo at last. stih I want you
b lot me be your true lover. while can. and
b do everything that your accepted lover
oouid whether you over look at me again or
Dot. Couldn't you do that3"
"You know couldn't" sllo answered. SIM |
pv
,"Couldnt You 2" he asked. and he Foil into
) forlorn silence. as II no could not say any. |
EAis. more. He forcsd hcr to take tho word
BY asking. "Thon you arc offended with mo ?"
How could bet"
"Oh---"
"t'S what any girl might be glad Of"
"Oh. MY"
"And nm not so silly ms to think there can
DO wrong timo for 1t. II there wore. you
~onld make 1t right II you chose it. lou
souldn't do anything should think WRONG.
And I-I-love you. too"
4" Suzette! Suzette!" he called wildly. as II
ne were great way ell 1t seemed to him
bio heart would burst Ho got awkwardly o.
l0ro her. and tried to seize her hand
She slipped by him. with pathetic Don't!
But you know never could DO your wife, You
know that"
"Idon't know It. Why shouldn't your
Because Icouldn't bring my fathers shame
N my husband"
1T wouldn't touch me any moro than It
.ouches YOU"
1T would touch your father and mother