The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-05-10
CHAPTER ~.
The One Woman

ne One woman.
! | scanned each face intently as
approached them There was a high.
\ delicate color on the cheeks OF the
elder woman She was frownine
7 slightly ! could not be sure whether
\ curiosity or annoyance was the doni.
nant note of her bearing. But pres.
I entity I saw that il was rather. resent.
ment and thinly yelled contempt.
7 During the past week scorn and con
tempt had flashed from too many eyes
that | should misinterpret that look
They knew then. the story OF ms dis
grace. That fact would explain the
expression Of contempt but why this
strange resentment. this indignation?
The younger woman. the daughter.
for the likeness was unmistakable. sat
mouonless as ! approached The atti-
tude was significant Of feeling more
hostile and deeper than that which
agitated the mother.
It was the mother who spoke. not
without evident reluctance:
rs II true that you are Mr. Haddon
MIR. Ernest Haddon?
1T is true" I replied quietly.
Then YOU We're with Mr.. Lawrence
Willoughby when the tragedy &C.
curred?" she continued in deep.
even voice.
Yes. madam"
Il am Mrs Brett. This is my daugh.
ter Miss Brett"
Again I bowed gravely. The girl
made a slight inclination. but her
eyes still gazed intently at the little
beacon light that still burned on the
mountain
| heard the name at first with an
idle curiosity. Then vaguely re-
peated il to myself | had heard II
before. 1t awoke startled memories
| vainly tried to place these people
who We're compelling themselves 10
speak 10 me with so evident q reluct-
ance and hesitation.
Il am sure | have heard. only late
ly-"
Perhaps" assented Mrs. Brett bit /
terly IT was Mr. willoughby him
self"
Mother The daughter touched
he mothers arm appeallngly
Yes. ! said in a low voice, II re-
member now"
Then. sir" and the question rose
y a crescendo OF restrained feeling.
when we were informed only a mo-
nent ago that YOU were Mr. Haddon.
-ou will understand why we have sent
or you?~
Yes. madam. understand. You
wish TO hear from my lips-the lips
4 the survivors, the tragedy"
Willouehby had loved the daughter.
When death had faced us together. he
ad spoken OF her At such a time
ne opens ones heart. even TO a
tranger. And he had told me OF his
carts desire: he had told me ~ his
espair that she had not returned lis
I'VE At least not openly BIT, now.
hen Il was too late. perhaps she
aalized that she had loved him after
H. If that were so. with what alb.
orrence must she regard me. And II
were TO tell her everything-thath he
ad died approaching me for COW
rdice- Yes. pain and humiliation
ere indeed to be the price OF this
eeting.
Yet outwardly ! maintained a stole
aim. knew there must be no ex-
Uses for myself Whether this won
a had loved him or not. at least his
emory must be sacred 70 her The
an who was dead had paid the last
snalty Of presumption ard folly But
az must not be limited al: IL was my
cakness and cowardice that must
nphasize
Helena" Mrs. Brett turned TO her
.uehier. would you prefer that Mr..
a9dun speak to You alone2'
Yes. mother. should prefer that =
n shall wait for yuu. Helena. In tho !
riting room. Good evening. Mr. :
addon."
CTo BE CoNTINUEDl