Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-03-31


them away to Il person who oh.
can't tell it you all. but l acted very
badly. and in my own anger ! told him
o. it for the first time. You see he had
some right TO be angry. He did not know
what he was dOing-l am sure he did not,
for he had never struck me before
''Struck you? Molly, MOlly!
As if involuntarily. she glanced at her
arm. from which the cloak had slipped
down There was u bruise upon the sleH-
der wrist. She drew her draperies over
il. and held them there while she went on.
HE did not know: he was never un-
kind in that way before. But he WAS
mad with anger and with what he had
drank. and he took me by the shoulders
and put he out at the door. and said /
should never darken his house again. !
snatched up this cloak ns l went through
the outer hall. l believe he meant TO
take me in again, for when j had gone
down the road a little way l heard him
open the door again and call me. But
was frightened-so frightened that l ran
on and on: and / asked my way of y
policeman, and at last l got here"
Charlie Rutherford's face was white
with rage.
1OOk, ne Bdlu 10
am going. Your sister should not sit in
her wet things. Get your landlady to
attend to her. I'll telegraph to yOW
father In your name"
"Wait. please" said Molly. 1t was
strange to hear the decision that had
come into her fresh young voice "Come
here for one minute, Captain Rutherford
You say you will be my friend?'
Always"
''Then please go to the telegraph office
and send a message from me. not from
Berthe. I have no home now: may
tome to You tomorrow That is all that
l want to say in Il telegram. l do not
think that my father will refuse to take
me in"
1t was not very late, and Captain Ruth
erford was able to telegraph at once.
Then he went to Lady Val's house, and.
happily finding her in, got her promise
20 see Molly the first thing in the morn
ing.
1t was a bright face that Lady Val
presented the next morning in Molly's
bed chamber.
my dear" she said. putting her arms
round Molly's neck ut once. Il know you
don't much like me; but you must put
up with me and let me help you If | can
Charlie Rutherford came to me last
night"
Molly resisted for a moment, but wom
anly affection was very sweet to her, and
there was something in Lady Vals face
and manner which compelled confidence
She let herself be kissed, and then burst
into tears ON her visitors shoulder
Don't cry, child" said Lady Val, at
last you had much better 20 home
and take care of yourself. Or-will you
come to me for few days"
mo, NO. You are very good-but
want so much to go home
"Very well. Then l will go with you" +"
"You?" said Molly, lifting quivering
face and startled eyes to her interlocu-
tor. "You? Why?"
Because l don't think you are old
enough or wise enough to travel alone,
my dear; and l don't call even Bertie a
sufficient protector. Nobody can say a
word against you If / am with you,
Molly"
The eyes of the two women met. There
was a little silence, and then Molly held
out her hand. Il was unjust to You ip
my thoughts; forgive me-" she said
what did you think of me?"
"Oh, l can't tell you-I can't"
Il can guess, my dear. You thought
that wanted to take your husbands
heart from you, Molly; l have prayed
every night and morning for the last Yea
that he might always love you as you
loved him. / had No stronger wish than
that you two might be happy. Won,
y,1 trust me, MOllyr
And Molly. looking into Lady Valen-
cia's honest eyes, said fervently:
Indeed I will
(To be continuedl