Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1907-12-13

moments at the Lake men UNCONSCIOUS
of the need of rest amt DIG Hao let
him caress her.
Then the long days of watching for
his return were lived over, and the
one almost ecstatic moment when he
had leaped from the stage and over
the wall, with no one in sight, while
he held her In his arms.
And then-and this hurt the most
that last evening before they were to
part again, when beside the firehy-lit
mill pond he had the chance to say
so much and said-nothingl
It was all bitter-sweet memory,
which she tried to put away forever
the night she left Greenvale. She
was now Vera Raymond No one
could trace her; and yet, so at odds
were her will and her heart, there
still fingered the faint hope that Ray
would sometime and homehow find
her out.
And so, studying faithfully, often
lonesome, now and then longing for
the bygone days with Ray and Old
Cy, and always hoping that she might
some time return to Peaceful Valley,
Chip passed the winter at Christmas
Cove.
Something of success came to her
through it all. She reached and re-
tanned head positions in her classes.
A word of praise came occasionally
from Mr.. Bell. Aunt Abby grew less
austere and seemed to have little
pride in her. She became acquainted
with other people and in touch with
young folks, was invited to parties
and sleigh-rfdes. The vernacular of
Tins Place left her, and even Sun
days were less a torture, in fact, al
most a pleasure, for then she saw
most of the young people she mingled
with, and now and then exchanged a
bit of gossip.
Her own dress became of more in
terest to her. Aunt Abby, fortunate
ly for Chip, felt DESTROYS that her ward
should appear well, and Chip, thus
educated and polished in village life.
to a degree at least, fulfilled Aunt
Abby's hopes.
Another success also came to her
for handsome as she undeniably was,
with her big, appealing eyes, her
splendid black hair, and well-rounded
form, the young men began to seek
her. One became persistent, and
when spring had unlocked the long
curved bay once more, Chip had be-
come almost leader in the little cir
Gle of young people.
Her life with those who had taken
her in charge also became moro har-
monious. In fact, something of affec-
ton began to leaven it, for the reason
that never once had Aunt Abby ques-
toned Chip as to her past. Aunt Mandy
and Uncle Jud had both cautioned her
as to its unwisdom, and she was broad
and charitable enough to let 1t remain
a closed book until such time as Chip
was willing to open it; and for this.
more than all else that she received
Chip felt grateful But one day 1t
came out-or at least portion of It..
81 suppose you have often Won
dered where l was born, and who my
parents were" Chip said, one Sunday
afternoon, when she and Aunt Abby
were alone, land I want to thank you
for never asking" And then, omit
ting much she briefly outlined her
history.
Il was born close to the wilder
ness" she said, "and my mother died
when | was about eight years old.
Then my father took me into the
woods, where l worked at kind of
a boarding house for lumbermen. ]
ran away from that when l was about
is. | had to; the reasons | don't
want to tell. l found some people
camping in the woods when I'd been
gone three days and most starved.
They felt pity for me, l guess, and
took care of me. l stayed at their
camp that summer, and then they
fetched me home with them and |
was sent to school Somebody said
something to ms there, somebody who
hated me- She had been Fostering
me all the time, and | ran away.
Uncle Jud found me and took care
of me until you came, and that's all
want to tell l could tell a lot more,
but | don't ever want those people
to find me or take me back where they
live. and that's why l don't tell where
| came from Then l felt was so de-
pendent on them-I was twitted OF 1t
that it's another reason why l ran
away. | wouldn't have stayed with
Uncle Jud more than over night ex-
cept that l had chance to work and
earn my board"
But wasn't it unkind of you-isn't
if now-not to let these people know
YOU are alive?" answered Aunt Abby.
"They were certainly good to YOU"
II know that they were," returned
Chip, somewhat contritely; but |
couldn't stand being dependent on
them any longer. If they found where
/ was, they'd come and fetch me back;
and I'd feel so ashamed couldn't look