The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-04-22
CHAPTER XVII

noon, while Addie was out, n telegram
arrived for her and Mrs. Hall. opening
il, had the good news TO communicate
to her daughter, upon her return, that
John was coming home. The business
that took him away had been happily
concluded, and he would reach New
York on the morrow, the dispatch hav'
ing been sent while he was en- route.
The girls position, i'll view of that
intelligence, suddenly became decidedly
embarrassing While she felt that she
"never, no, never, could forgive John, "
she could not bring herself TO reveal 10
her mother the fortuitous discovery of
his shameful immortality and utter I'M
trustworthiness which she had made.
She would give him up; would Danish
him forever, and never hear another
word from his false lips. That, of
course, was settled, but her pride for
babe her confessing that the man she
had loved so well and of whom she had
been so proud was unworthy Of her
love. But, by "a strange perversity Of
humor seemingly, the old lady appeared
to be more favorably disposed toward
John than she had ever been before.
I'm real glad he is coming back, "
she said, for find that have sort Of
got into habit of trusting that young
man and liking to see him around. OF
course, he will receive your note the
minute he gets home, and we may look
to see him up here as soon as he can
come, tomorrow evening anyway"
Addie did not want to tell that she
had torn that note into little bits and
scattered them to the winds within a
block of Johns lodging, yet she could
not bear that her mother should cherish
hopes which she knew were destined to
grievous disappointment So she fried
to temporize while cogitating how TO
meet the difficulties of the situation.
Il don't think he could do any good
if he were here, mamma she said
coldly
Mrs. Hall deliberately put Oh her
spectacles and stared at het.. as if she
found it difficult to believe the report of
her ears alone.
''Since when have you had that idea
about john she demanded.
"'ii' NHdt Coulsi Ht 90, mamma!
responded the girl evasively. THE let
ter affords no clew. The man either will
respond TO your advertisement or he
will not. If he does. no John Latham
will be needed TO hunt him ND. If he
does not, and chooses TO continue hiding
himself, no John Latham can find him. -
Il IN not SO sure about that. And.
IN 70
would be some comfort TO me rs well
as 70 you TO sec John and talk to him. "
1T wouldn't be amy comfort to me.
don't want ever to see him again.
wish / never had. "
why, Adele Miranda Hall! What
ON earth are you saying
well, / just don't So there. And /
don't care bit. ="
And, doubtless as conclusive evidence
that she did not care. she burst into
tears. The old lady meditatively rub
bing the side of her nose with a long
forefingcr, pondcred and gave time for
the outburst to subside. Then she said
gently and with little trembling in
her voice.
You are all that the Lord has seen
fit to leave to me, Addie, and it makes
me a little afraid sometimes to think
that maybe / love you better than /
should; that I'm prouder of my noble.
pure .souled, beautiful girl than / ought !
to be, and that, without meaning it, | |
may be pptting the creature before the
Creator in my affections and calling |
down an awful Christening Judgment |
upon myself. IL | have sinned, it is |
through my sin chat my punishment |
will come to me, and may God grant |
me strength f.. bow to his will, But do
not make me suffer :" suspense, my
child. Tell me the reason for you. sud |
den change of feeling toward John La |,
ham. What has he done? Whv do Won
,ay th...tt You never want to see him
sgain?"
"Oh, mammal sobbed the girl, lay
ing her fearful face upon her mothers
II hoped would not have to
tell You, but / believed him so good,
was wrong"
The old womap's face grew very pale,
her lips qnivered and the tears filled her
eyes, She copid not speak, but one arm
stole around her child's form with a
caress that conveyed mothers pardon
and unalterable love. That tenderness
melted away the slight barrier of re-
serve that had stood in the way Of per-
feet confidence.
when ] went to leave that note
where John lives" Addie sobbed, II
understood from the servant who open
ed the door, and who speaks hardly any
that he had got home and was
there at the time. thought il would
be better for me to see him, II only for
A moment, 40 ran mp and knocked ON
his door, and--and--I found another
girl there, bold creature, who appear.
ed to be at home. And never want to
zee his face again
"And--is that alp
"Alli Isn't that enough7 That I
should have been deceived by him 10
shamefullyi"
The revulsion Of feeling 10 overcame