The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1906-08-16
CHAPTER XVIII.

swarmlng out of 1t, as IL 1t were being
baned of dragons. Two months had
passed before he was able to leave his
bed. He remembered only the glow of an
Indian summer morning on wood and
field, but when he rose they were all
white with snow.
81 must CO." said he.
mot yet my boy" said Mary Allen.
"You are not strong enough"
"Darrel has taken my trouble ON him.
and must CO."
IL have heard you say it often since
you fell on the doorstep" said she, strok-
ing his hand. There Is letter from
him." and she brought the letter and
put 1t in his hands. Trove opened it
eagerly and read as follows:
Dear Sidney-It Is Sunday night, and all
day l have been walking In the Blessed
Isles. And one was the Blessed Isle Of
remembrance where l met thee and we
talked of all good things If l knew 1t
were we'll with thee 1 should be quite
happy. boy. quite happy 1 was n bit
weary of travel, and all the roads had
grown long. / miss the tick of the clocks
but my work is easy, and have excellent
good friends. l send thee my key. Please
deliver the red, tall clock to Betsy Hale,
who lives on the road to Waterbury HILL
and kindly take that cheerful youngster
from Connecticut-the one with the wall
nut case and brass pendulum-to Mrs.
Henry Watson. You remember that i'll
tempered Dutch thing with loud gong
and a white dial. Please take that to
Harry Warner. l put some work on them
all, but there's no charge. The other
clocks belong to me. Do with them as
thou wilt and with all that is mine The
rent is paid to April Then kindly surren-
der the key. Now, can ye do all this for
a man suffering the just punishment of
many sins? 1 ask II for old friendship
and to increase the charity saw grow
ing in thy heart long ago At last have
word OF thy father. He died peace !,
happy death, having restored the wealth
that cursed him to its owner. For his
sake an thine l am glad to know It,
Now between thee and the dear Polly
there Is no shadow. Tell her everything.
May the good God bless and keep thee,
but the long road of happiness, that ye
must seek and find. Yours truly,
r. Darrell Of the Blessed Isles.
Trove read the letter many times,
and as he grew strong he began to
think with clearness and deliberation
Of his last night In Hillsborough. Dar-
rel was the greatest problem of all.
Ponderlng, he saw, or thought he saw,
the bottom Of 1t. Events were coming,
however, that robbed him utterly Of
his concelt and all the hope It gave
him. The sad lines about his father
kept him ever in some doubt. A week
more, and he was In the cutter one
morning behind Phyllis on his way to
Robins Inn. AS he drew up at the old.
familiar gate the boys ran out to meet
him. Somehow they were not the same
boys; they were bit more sober and
timid. Tunk came with "Glad to see
ye, mister" and took the mare. The
widow stood In the doorway, smiling
sadly
"How is Polly?" said Trove.
For a moment there was no answer.
He walked slowly to the steps, know
ing we'll that some new blow was
about to fall upon him.
"She Is better but has been very
Sick" said the widow.
Trove sat down without speaking
and threw his coat open.
"You, too, have been very SICK" said
Mrs. Vaughn.
"Yes, vcry," said he.
II heard Of 1t and went to your home
one day. but you didn't know me-"
"Tell me, where is Polly?"
"In school. and am much worried"
"Why?'
"Well, she's pretty, and the young
men will not let her alone. There's
one determined she shall marry him."
"Is she engaged"
"No, but-but, sir, think she is
nearly heartbroken."
"I'm sorry" said Trove. "Not that
she may choose another, but that she
lost faith In me-"
Poor child! Long ago she thought
you had ceased to love her." said the
widow, her voice trembling.
II loved her as can never love
again." said he, his elbow resting on
table, his head leaning on his hand.
He spoke calmly.
"Don't let II kill you, boy" said she.
| mo" he answered. "a man must be
greater than his trouble. l have work
to do, and ! shall not give up. May
go and see Polly?"
Not now" said the widow. "Glve
her time to find her own way. II you
deserve her love II will return to you"
II fear that you, too. have lost faith
In me-" said Trove.
mo" she answered But surely
Darrell Is not the guilty one. It's all
such mystery"
"Mrs. Vaughn. do not suffer yourself
to think evil OF me or of Darrell. If
do lose your daughter hope may not
lose your good opinion" The young
man spoke earnestly, with wet eyes.
II shall not think evil of YOU" said
the woman.
Trove stood a moment. his hand upon
the latch.
'lf there's anything l can do for you
or for Polly" said he. 81 should like TO
know 1t. Let's hope for the best
Some day you must let me come and
he hesltated, his voice falling him for
a moment-"and play game OF check
ers," he added.
Paul stood looking up at him sadly,
his face troubled.
"It's an evil day when the heart Of a
child is heavy" said Trove, bending
over the boy. "What is the first law.
Paul?"
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