The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1906-07-26
CHAPTER XXI.

on tne Dlanket near his
hand. He rose and picked 1t up and
saw his own name In strange ham,
writing on the wrapper. He turned It,
looking curiously at seal and super
scription. Tearing 1t open, he found to
his great surprise brief note and q
roll Of money. Herein is a gift for
Mr.. Sidney Trove," said the note. "The
gift is from a friend unknown, who
prays God that wisdom may go with
it, so 1t prove blessing to both"
Trove counted the money carefully.
There were $4,000 In bank bills. He
sat moment thinking; then he rose
and began searching for tracks around
the shanty. He found none, however,
In the dead leaves which he could dis
tinguish from those of Tunk and him
SELF
ut must be from my father" said
he-a thought that troubled him deep
ly, for It seemed to bring I'll news
that his father would never make him
self known.
"He must have seen me last night"
Trove went on. "He must even have
been near me-so near he could have
touched me with his hand. II I had
only wakenedw
He put the money in his pocket and
made ready to go. He would leave at
once In quest of Darrell and take coun.
sci Of him. 1t was early, and he could
see the first light of the sun high in
the tall towers Of hemlock. The forest
rang with bird songs. He went to the
brook near by and drank Of Its clear,
cold water and bathed In 1t. Then he
walked slowly to Robins Inn. where
Mrs. Vaughn had begun building a
fire. She observed the troubled look
in his face, but said nothing Of 1t then.
Trove greeted her and went to the
stable to feed his mare.
Then he went In to breakfast. An
hour later he bade them all goodby
and set out for Aliens. A new fear
began to weigh upon him as he travel
ed. Was this part of that evil sum.
and had his father begun now to scat
ter what he had never any right to
touch? Whoever brought him that
big roll Of money had robbed him of
his peace. Even his ribs, against
which 1t chafed as he rode along. be-
gan to feel sore. Home at last, he put
up the mare and went to tell his moth
er that he must be Off for Hills.
borough.
"My son." said she, her arms about
his neck. "our eyes are growing dim
| nj 90
Of you"
"And l feel the loss," Trove answer
ed. ~ have things to do there and
shall return tonight"
"You look troubled" was her an
swer. "Poor boyl pray God to keep
ever fearing unhappy news Of the mys-
tery-that something evil would come
out Of II.
As Trove rode away he took account
Of all he owed those good people who
had been mother and father to him.
What a pleasure II would give him to
lay that goodly sum In the lap Of his
mother and bid her spend 1t with no
thought Of economy.
The mare knew him as one may
know a brother. There was In her
manner some subtle understanding of
his mood. Her master saw II In the
poise Of her head, in the shift Of her
ears and in her tender way Of feeling
for his hand. She, too. was looking
right and left In the fields. There were
the scenes Of boyhood newly but for
ever gone. '"That's where you overlook
me on the way to school," said he to
Phyllis. for SO the tinker had named
her.
She drew at the rein, starting play
fully as she heard his voice and shak-
Ing his hand as II to say "Oh. master,
give me the rein. will bear you swift
ly to happiness"
Trove looked down at her proudly,
patting the silken arch of her neck. If.
as Darrell had once told him. God took
note of the look of ones horses. she
was fit for the last journey. Arriving
at Hillsborough, he tied her in the
sheds and took his way to the Sign of
the Dial. Darrell was working at his
little bench. He turned wearily, his
face paler than Trove had ever seen it,
his eyes deeper under their fringe Of
silvered hair.
"An' God be praised the boyw said
he, rising quickly. "Canst thou make
a Jest, boy--a merry jest?"
"Not until you have told me what's
the matter"
"Illness an the food o. bitter fancy"
said the tinker. with sad face.
"Bitter fancy"
"Yes, an o. thee. boy. Had gath
cred care In the broad fields all me life
an heaped 1t on thy back could not
have done worse by thee"
Darrell put his hand upon the boys
shoulder, surveying him from head to
foot.
"But marry" he added, "'tls a
mighty thigh an broad back"
"Have you seen my fatherf
"Yes."
There was moment of silence, and
Trove began to change color.
"And what did he say?'
"That he will bear his burden alone"
Then for a moment silence and the
ticking Of the clocks.
"And shall never know my fatherr
said Trove presently, his lips trem-
bling. "God, sir, insist upon 1t! l
have a right to his name and to his
shame also" The young man sank