Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-09-26
cHApTER ~.
The One Woman.

| scanned each face intently as
approached them. There was a high,
delicate color on the cheeks OF the
elder woman She vas frowning
slightly. | could not be sure whether
curiosity or annoyance was the domi.
nant note Of her bearing. Hut pres.
emily | saw that IL was rather resent.
ment and thinly yelled contempt.
During the past week scorn and con.
tempt had flashed from too many eyes
that | should misintCrpret that look.
They knew. then. the story Of my 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
motionless as | approached. TIE att
tude was significant of "a feeling more
hostile and deeper than that which
agitated the mother.
1t was the mother who spoke. not
without evident reluctance:
as 1t true that you are Mr.. Haddon
MIR. Ernest Haddon?
at is true" | replied quietly.
Then you were with Mr.. Lawrence
W%illoughby when the tragedy &c,
cured" she continued In a deep,
even voice.
Yes, madam"
81 am Mrs. Brett. This is my daugh.
ter, Miss Brett"
Again | 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 IN
Idle curiosity. Then vaguely | re.
peated 1t TO myself. had heard II
before. II aw0ke startled memories.
| vainly tried to place these people
who were compelling themselves to
speak TO me with so evident a reluct.
ance and hesitation.
81 am sure | have heard, only late.
iy-"
Perhaps" assented Mrs. Brett bit.
terly, ut was Mr.. Willoughby him.
self"
Mother" The daughter touched
the mothers arm appealingly.
Yes" ! said in a low voice. II re-
member now"
Then. sir" and the question rose
to a crescendo of restrained feeling,
when we were informed only a mo-.
ment ago that you were Mr.. Haddon,
you will understand why we have sent
for you?"
Yes, madam, | understand. You
wish to hear from my lips-the lips
of the survivor-of the tragedy"
Willoughby had loved the daughter.
When death had faced us together, he
had spoken of her. At such a time
one opens ones heart, even TO a
stranger. And he had told me of his
hearts desire: he had told me o. his
despair that she had not returned his
love. At least not openly. But now,
when ii was too late, perhaps she
realized that she had loved him after
all. If that were so, with what alb
horrence must she regard me. And II
| were to tell her everything-that he
had died reproaching me for COW.
ardice- Yes, pain and humiliation
WeTt lllttu W Dt Tue ullCt vi llls
meeting,
Yet outwardly | maintained a stole
calm. ! knew there must be no ex.
cuses for myself. Whether this WON.
an had loved him or not, at least his
memory must be sacred to her. The
man who was dead had paid the last
penalty Of presumption and folly, But
that must not be limited at; it was my
weakness and cowardice that ! must
emphasize.
Helena" Mrs. Brett turned to her
daughter, would you prefer that Mr..
Haddon speak to you alone"
Yes, mother, | should prefer that"
Il shall wait for you, Helena, in the
writing room Good ever'ng, Mr..
Haddon."
To BE CoNTINUED.)