Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-11-05
CHAPTER M.

CdAfIEb III.
And Helen was wretched. She had
satisfied her conscience, but her heart
bled. And for three days Roy made
| no sign, and she was tormented by
two alternate fears-either that he had
not returned the letter, in which case
She would feel compelled to herself tell
VIII of the wrc.F: done him, or else
that he had obeyc1 hcr instructions,
but nfterward set GoIn against her
the humiliation of the confession. Alas,
during these days she had many hours
of that cold temptation which comes to
the noblest hearts when virtue has fail
ed to reward and they IRE half inclined
to regret having served her, when they
say with the great seer-singer. I'm
vain have washed my hands in IN
nocency."
On the third night, however, when
the elder had gone to Loeb RAMA on
some business. Roy stepped softly into
the cottage He saw the swift change
in Helen's face, the splendid wave of
color that came like sunlight over her
pale cheeks the smile that changed
her as the sea is changed by the day
spring, and he knew that this added
splendor of beauty had been called
forth by his presence.
''Weel, Helen?" he said.
"My dear lad"
will you give your dear lad vel
come tonight? You sent him away in
q fine blaze of temper"
Her soul was Instantly on guard.
| ryn,~ 30 chn could al.
most hear, but she was not to be be-
trayed by its entreaties. Yet Roy saw
in her outstretched hands. her eager
looks, her tender eyes, the great affec-
ton with which he had inspired her as
she answered:
"You are dearly welcome, welcome
as life to me, for know you would
not be here If you hadn't put the
wrong right and come to tell me So"
"Of course"
"What did Will sayT
"ae Just made laugh of the whole
business. 1 told you he would. He
said wasn't to speak of the matter.
He does not want his plans made free
to the rest of the lads, and / said l
hadn't named it to creature but you"
swell, then?"
HE said that words were as safe
with you as if they We're stone drop
ped in the sea"
"And. Roy, Roy, my dear lad, you
are far happier for telling Willie?"
"Of course am happier, because it
puts you and me all right. The letter
didn't trouble me, but could rot thole
your feeling about IT"
Then she Went to him and lifted the
cap from his head, and he took her to
his brenst and their reconciliation was
complete.
1--WE will never name the unlucky Bit
of paper again." he said, and Heller
was willing 1t should pass into oblivion
| A sweet content followed her anxiety
and she told herself that her influence
| for good on Roy's character was proved
4 and certain. An exceedingly happy
evening followed. Never had Roy beer
Il 80 charming and loving, and never hat
II Helen been SO beautiful and affection
| ute. For three hours they sat looking
| into the future together and seein.
] there only lifelong happiness and love
everlasting.
The next afternoon the elder return
!, ed, and Helen noticed even before hi
II reached the house an angry air and at
II ttude about him. The mans massive
:, form seemed instinct with wrath, hi!
y staff struck out Of his way the littl,
4 stones and weeds as If they were trou
II bling him, and when he came close t.
her she saw plainly the stormy look II
Y his eyes and the suppressed passion II
his compressed lips and lowering brow
Il He looked ut her with an angry pit!
d and passed through the door without ,
u word. She turned in utter him, he
- heart suddenly sick with fear, and look
;, ed in his face with silence full Of in
y quiry, but as 1t produced no answer
she asked:
"Have done aught to anger you, fa
- Their? Why don't you speak to me?"
II "sit down, Helen," he replied. II have
some bad news for you. am not an
cry ut you in particular, but am an
y CRY Mt you in the general, for you have
y brought this sorrow on yourself by
Il your ain free choice and will and
against the choice and will of Il father
u that was wiser than you and who loved
you with love that had no selfishness
II In it."
+ "I'm thinking all these words near
something against poor Roy. Folks
II won't let the lad Alone
.'He won't let alone what he has
s naething to do with. Let me tell you
It that there is more trouble in the village
|, than words can sort. have had to put
my ain body between Will and Roy
Anderson or VIII would have thrashed
q his cousin within an inch Of his life
IS and weel he deserves it,"
y Helen did not utter 4 word. Her eyes
II were dropped. she seated herself in u
y chair beside the table, and her father
II noticed that she grasped the edge FOR
. further support. He watched her a
moment and then continued:
"What do you think of man who
u opens letter that is not his and keeps
q 1t o. Of tens days without saying word
or aboutiit.2. This fiji tIvIfat Row