Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-09-19

The LADY ]
OF LYNN J
BY SIR WALTER BESANT
Copyright, 1900 by Sir Walter BcSant

the black with her. Go and comfort
her before you see Molly"
looked into the kitchen. Molly's
mother sat in the great wooden chair
beside the fireplace. She held her apron
in her hands AS if she had Just pulled
1t off her face, and the tears were on
her cheeks. When she saw me, they
began to dow again. Jack" she said,
have you heard the news? Has the
captain told you? The worst has hap
peDcd. I have lost my girl. She is to
be married She will go away. She
will marry Il man who scorns her guard
ian and deSpiSes her mother. A bad
beginning, Jack. No good can come of
such marriage. A bad beginning.
oh, | foresee unhappincss! How can
Molly become a fine lady? She is but a
simple girl, my own daughter. have
made her a good housewife. and all her
knowledge will be thrown away and
lost. 1t is a bad business, Jack. Nj
gra has been telling her fortune. There
is nothing hopeful. All the cards are
threatening. And the magpies and the
screech OWL
She fell to weeping again, after
which she broke out anew: The cap
tain says he is the most virtuous man
In the world. 1t isn't true. If ever I
saw the inside OF n man in my life,
have seen the inside Of that man. He
is corrupt through and through
"But consider. All The world is cry
Ing up his noble conduct and his many
virtues"
"They may say what they like. 1t is
false. lie is heartless. He is cold.
He is selfish. He marries Molly for
her money. Persuade the captain, il
you can. He will not believe me-"
How can l persuade him? have
no knowledge. Are they all in tale2
Are you the only person who knows
the TRUTH How do you know it,"
81 know j, because | love my girl,
and SO | can read the very soul of a
over and over again. You are true and
faithful. You would love her and
cherish her. But this man-he knows
not what love means nor fidelity nor
anything. Go. Jack. There Is no help
In you or in any other-because there
Is none other" She spoke the words
of the prayer book: "'None other that
fghteth for US but only thou, o Cod
Only thou, Q Cod" She covered her
face again with her apron and fell to
sobbing afresh.
SO went into the parlor where Molly
was sitting. Jack" She jumped up.
"Oh. Jack, I want you so badly"
II know all, Molly - except what
you yourself say and think about it,"
She had piece of work in her hands,
and she began to pull it and pick it as
she replied. For the first time in my
life found Molly uncertain and hest.
tating.
est honor that was ever offered to any
woman to be raised from lowly condi.
ton to high rank, and all for love"
"All FOR love?' l asked.
Why, what else can 1t be that made
him fight for me with that despera te
villain? He risked his life. Whatever
happens, Jack. cannot forget that"
No. IL WIS uOuDl LESS Il great tIlIg
to do. Has he told you himself that it
was all for love?''
HE has not spoken about love at all
He has never once been alone with me.
1t seems that these great people make
love by message. He sent a message
by Sam Semple''-
"A very fine messenger Of Cupid,
truly"
-"Offering marriage. The captain
cannot contain his satisfaction and sits
glum. My mother says that she will
never see me again and begins to cry"
well, but, Molly, TO be sure 1t is q
great thing to become countess. Most
women would jump at the chance I'M
der any conditions. Do you, however,
think that you can love the MANI"
He hasn't asked for love. Oh, Jack,
to think that people should marry
each other without word of love. II
he loves NE, | suppose he thinks that
l am bound to give him love in return"
"Thcre again, Molly, do you love the
man"
Jack, nobody knows me better than
you. What reply can make?"
He is too cold and too proud for
Afall III.