Mexico Missouri message., 1908-02-27
CHAPTER w.

For few more days Chip lived the
life that had now become unbearable,
and then the end came. II was has.
tened, perhaps, by Hannah. for that
ill.tempered spinster had been ever
watchful, and with shrewd insight had
seen or guessed all that had trans.
pired.
Il s'pose We know why the Frlsbies
hurried away so soon after Ray got
back" she said to Chip that last day.
IF you don't. | can tell we. II was
cos they noticed the COINS on tween
you an him an wanted to head II on"
Not a word Of protest came from the
poor child In response TO this sneer,
and that night she wrote two notes,
one TO Miss Phlnney, the other to Aunt
Comfort. Then. making a bundle Of
the few belongings she could call her
own--the beaded moccaBins, cap and
fur cape old Tomah had given her. and
other trlfles-she waited until almost
midnight and stole out OF the house.
Where to go, she knew not nor cared
only to leave Greenvale and all the
shame, sorrow, and humiliation II held
for her, and 'make her own way in the
world as best she could.
The village street was as silent as
midnight always found II. The low
murmur OF the MiZZy Falls whispered
down the valley. A half.moon was
Just rising, and as Chip reached the
hilltop where she had waited for Ray,
she halted. From here must be taken
the last glance at Greenvale, and as
she turned about a sob rose in her
heart, in spite of her stern resolve. for
ties cannot be sundered easily.
And how vivid and life-lasting was
that picture! The two long rows OF
white houses facing the broad street,
the tall.spired church In the middle OF
them; scattered dwellings to the right
and left; away to one side the little
brown schoolhouse that had been her
Mecca; the stream that wound
through the broad meadows; and over
all the faint sheen OF the rising moon
Only for a moment she paused for
this good.by look. then turned and ran
On and on she sped mile after mile, up
hill, down hill, hating now and then
for breath until n cross.road was
reached, and here she stopped. Here
also came the question OF direction
To follow the main road was to reach
Riverton, between which and Green
vale the stage journeyed. To go there
meant being recognized perhaps. In
her study OF geography, she had found
that the village which was her birth
place lay northeast from Greenvale
She meant sometime aud somehow e
reach that spot and visit her mothers
grave once more, and also. II possible
TO send word to Old Tomah.
From now on the road became mar
row. Miles elapsed between houses
and Chip. wearied and heavy-eyed
could only creep along. The way be
came more devious now. bendInl
around a wooded hill and then cross
ing n wide swamp to enter u stretch
OF forest. Direction became lost IL
these turnings, the road grew hills
and less travelled. The moon scarce
showed it; and Chip. almost exhaust
ed. stumbled over stones and felt tina
she was becoming lost In an unset
tied country. And then, just as she
emerged from a thicket and ascendet
. low hill, the light OF coming dawT
faced her, and with 1t the need Of sleeI
and concealment.
Full we'll she knew she must avoiC
all observing eyes and place man,
more miles between herself and Green
vale to be certain OF escape. AnC
then. as the daylight increased. sh'
caught sight OF an old, almost ruineC
dwelling half hid among bushes Jus
ahead. Even II empty. as It appeared
II would serve for shelter. and finding
Il 30. she crept In. so wearied that she
fell asleep At once ON the warped an'
mr''dU Aooe.