Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-04-22
CHAPTER XII,

~ IN
W her head on my
w. shoulder she sobbed
her thanks, and
~ continued her sto.
ry, calmer now be-
cause Of this little
act Of sympathy.
Amos, my son, was in the hospital
for more than a year, and most Of that
time l was like woman In a dream.
was told that for months l didn't
know a soul about me, and 1t was never
expected l should rise from my bed.
But the Lord was good to me, and got
we'll slowly-oh. SO slowly. Amos! For
long time could not remember what
had taken place. but little by little it
came back to me. Then was told that
when l was taken to the hospital they
did not know who was. and that there
was nothing In my pocket by which
they could have found out my name.
They suspected. they said. that l had
sailors for my relations, for talked a
great deal about the sea; but that was
all they could discover. No one came
to see me all the time was In the hos
pital, and when I was strong enough
they let me go home. When got back
to the cottage found a neighbor living
In 1t, who thought that was dead. as
! believed you to be before tonight. my
dear son. The neighbors had heard
nothing Of the accident. and they all
believed me to be dead: and they came
about me. now that was risen from
the grave. as It might be. and those who
were hardest upon me before made 1t
up to me In kindness. Then heard
that had lost my son-that the ship
he was In had foundered. and that not
soul In her had been saved. heard
more. my son-shall tell it,"
Tell It," I said, steeling my voice.
Don't blame me. Amos. and bear 1t
like brave man. for my sake, dear. ]
asked after Mabel, and the first thing l
heard was that she had baby. Go
and bring her, I said to the neighbors
who were about me-'go and bring her
ard my sons child to me. Tell her am
living. and am yearning to embrace
them both They looked at one another.
and gradually the story came out.
Shortly after the news Of the loss OF the
Blue Jacket with all hands reached the
neighborhood. Mabel and her mother
went away"
Where to? Where is my wife and
child?"
They left England altogether, for
Australia; and since then nothing has
been heard OF them"
CONSERVATION at this startling news
struck me dumb for time, and my
mother was too frightened to break the
silence. This night. which In my eager
anticipation was to have been filled
with Joy had brought desolation and
despair to my heart.
Have you anything more to say?"
asked family, when l could muster
strength to speak. had to repeat the
question before my. mother replied. and
then the words fell like drops OF poison
from her lips.
Amos, Mabel did not go alone"
"You have already told me SO. Her
mother and my child were with her. My
childr' I stretched forth my arms in an
agony Of disappointment.
Some one else was with her. my
SON."
"who?"
"Mr. Druce. your enemy"
I shock her from me roughly. and
stood upon the threshold Of the room.
The snow foated In, but did not heed
II heard my mothers step behind me.
stop where you are!" cried. fierce.
ly. Don't approach close to me. nor
look into my lace! You have hardened
my heart toward you. 1t is for me to
speak now, and for you to listen. You
believe that my wife is unfaithful to
me. You, my mother, have said SO to
me-to my face. 1t is lie! Do you
hear me? 1t is n lie!'
My vehemence shook her to the soul.
"You made me speak," she faltered,
"as though were on my death-bed.
have obeyed you, my son-I have
obeyed you. Oh, Amos. my heart is
brcaking!
And mine is filled with Joy and hap
uiness at what you have told me- ]
retorted. "A loving mother you have
proyed yourself to me on this bitter
Christmas night"
Amos, Amosr' she cried, In an
agony of grief. "It is not my fault. !
know what you must suffer. would
not dare to tell you what the neighbors
said OF her .
lyon would not dare" ! said, FOR
I should not stop to hear. 1t needs no
telling: you yourself have made me ac-
nua,nted with the ISLANDERS their false
tongues spoke respecting me. Well. you
knew them to be liars, but you were
willing enough to listen to them after
ward. when their tune was changed.
put what does II matter what lot OF
possiping, tittle-tattling women say
about a man? He Is strong to bear IL,
and can laugh at them for their pains
And YOU! we'll. you could defend me In
INV absence. but you could find no wori
In defense Of her who is dearer to me
,ban my life-than hundred lives, II
had them, You hater her from the mo-
ment spoke to you Of my love for her.
Why did you do so7 You threw doubts
,hen upon her goodness. as you nave
.brown doubts this night upon her pur-
av. II you had done what you should