The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1906-08-09
CHAPTER XXyI

CHAPTER XXvI
GAIN the middle of September
"a and the beginning of the fall
4 term. Trove had gone to his
old lodgings at Hilsborough,
and Polly was boarding In the village,
for she, too, was now In the uphill
road to higher learning. None save
Darrell, who gave her the young mans
money, knew his secret-that he was
paying her board and tuition, unknown
to her. The thought of II made him
most happy. but now seeing her every
day had given him a keener sense Of
that which had come between them.
He sat much in his room and had little
heart for study. 1t was a coy room
now. His landlady had hung rude pic.
lures on the walls and given him rag
carpet. On the table were pieces Of
clear quartz and tourmaline and about
each window frame odd nests Of bird
or insect, souvenirs Of wood life and
his travel with the drove. There, too,
on the table were mementos Of that
first day Of his teaching, the mirror
spectacles with which he had seen at
once every corner Of the schoolroom,
the slung shot and bar Of iron he had
taken from the woodsman Leblanc.
One evening of his first week at
Hillsborough that term Darrell came to
sit with him awhile.
"An' what are these" said the tinker
at length, his hand upon the shot and
iron. -'-'-' '"'h@Sn<.i .i'Nfspfyu'
II do not know"
Dear boy" said Darrell, they're
from the kit Of burglar, an how
came they heref"
~ took them from Louis Leblanc"
said the young man, who then told of
his adventure that night
Louis Leblancv' exclaimed Darrell.
''The scamp an his family have cleared
out"
The tinker turned quickly, his hand
upon the wrist Of the young man.
"These things are not for thee to
have" he whispered. Had ye no
thought O. the dangerr
Trove began to change color.
II can prove how I came by them,"
he stammered.
"what is thy proofT Darrell whls-
pered again.
There are Leblanc's wife and daugh.
ter"
"Ah, where are they? There be
many would like to know"
The young man thought a moment.
"Well. Tunk Hosely, there at Mrs.
vaughn's."
"Tunk Hoselyw exclaimed the tinker,
with look that seemed to say: God
save the mark An would they be.
lleve him, thinkT
Trove began to look troubled as Oar.
| rel left him.
"I'll go and drop them in the river
said Trove to himself.
1t was IL o'clock and the street dark
and deserted as he left his room.
TT is a cowardly thing to do the
young man thought as he walked slow.
ly, but he could devise no better way
to get rid of them. --.,-.,-.--.
In the middle of the big, open bridge
he stopped to listen. Hearing only the
sound Of the falls below, Trove took
the odd tools from Under his coat and
flung them over the rail. He turned
then, walking slowly of the bridge and
up the main street Of Hillsborough
At corner he stopped to listen. His
ear had caught the sound Of steps faI
behind him. He could hear II no lon
ger and went his way with troubled
feeling that robbed him Of rest that
night. In a day or two 1t wore Of
and soon be was hold Of the bit as
he was wont to sAy, and racing for the
lead In his work. He often walked to
school with Polly and went to church
with her every Sunday night. There
had been not word OF love between
them, however, since they came to the
village until one evening she said:
II am very unhappy, and l wish
were home" .
"Why" '-T 'A$'''''
She was not able to answer for q
moment.
Il know I am unworthy of you" she
whispered.
His lungs shook him with deep and
tremulous inspiration. For little he
could not answer.
''That Is why you do not love me?'
Ale whispered again.
81 do love YOU" he said, with strong
effort to control himself, but am moi
worthy to touch the hem Of your gar.
ment."
"Tell me why, sidney"
"Some day. do not know when-I
will tell you ALL And II you can love
me after that we shall both be happy"
"Tell me now" she urged.
~ cannot" said he. But II you only
trust me. Polly. you shall know. II
you will not trust me-
He paused, looking at the snow path.
Good night" he added presently.
They kissed and parted, each going
to the company of bitter tears.
AS of old. Trove had many friend
schoolfellows who came Of an evening
now and then for his help In some
knotty problem. All saw change In
him. He had not the enthusiasm and
good cheer of former days. and some
| ceased to visit him. Moreover, they
were free to say that Trove was get.
ting a big head. For one thing, he had
become rather careless about his
clothes, a new trait In him. for he had
the gift Of pride and the knack of neat.
ness.
A new student sought his acqualnt.
ance the very first week of the term,
| that rather foppisb young man who got