Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-06-11
Chapter 10

ing ride and rescue a
mysterious change had been wrought
In her.
In the past days her soul had been
possessed by a painful agitation which
I~shc did not attempt to analyzc. At
moments the ingrained hatred OF
Hugh's act, the resentment that had
been the result of that year OF pain.
had risen to battle for the Inherent
justice Of things. At such times she
was restless and sat much alone, puz-
cling David Stires by meaningless re-
sponses.
She could not tell him that the son
whose name he never took upon his
lips was so near; that he whose crime
his fathers pride OF name had hidden
through all the months since then had
gone down with the current, stunned
by honest folk, adding to his one dis
NAL act the weight OF persistent rope
tition. She could not tell him this.
even though that son now lived with
out memory OF the evil he had done,
though he struggled under a cloud OF
hatred, reaching out to clean deed and
high resolve.
Now, however, all distrust and trepi-
dalton had vanished. Strangely and
suddenly the complex warfare in her
mind had stilled. Standing with Mrs.
Halloran. she had listened to the COM
ment with shining eyes, Not that she
distinguished any sudden change Of
opinion to turn persecution to populari-
ty and make the reprobate of today
the favorite of tomorrow, but In its
very reserve she instinctively felt
new tension Of respect Suspicion and
dislike aside, there was none there
who would again hinder the man who
had made that race with death.
For her own part, she only knew that
she had no longer fear Of soul or sense
OF irreyocable loss or suffering. The
Hugh she now loved was not the Hugh
who had sinned.
He must some time learn the facts
OF his past. Was 1t not better to know
the very worst II contained now, to
put all behind him and face future
that held no hidden menace2 She
alone could tell him what had clouded
his career. the thing whose sign and
symbol was the forged draft. She car
ried the slip of paper In the bosom OF
her dress, and every day she took 1t
out and looked at 1t as at some malef-
cent relic. 1t was token of the old
buried misery that. its final purpose
accomplished, should be forgotten for
ever. How to convey the truth with
as little pain as might be. this was the
problem, and she had found the solu-
ton. She would leave the draft secret
ly in the cabin, where he must see it.
1t bore his own name. and the deadly
word David Stires' cramped fist had
written across 1t told its significant
story. How 1t got there Hugh would
not question. 1t would be to him only
detail of his forgotten life there.
She was glad when late the next aft
ernoon DIR. Brent came for his chat
with David Stires. and the latter sent
her out for a walk
All was quiet No wisp OF smoke
curled from the cabin chimney, no
work was forward, for Harry had
climbed far up the mountain. alone
with his thoughts. 1t was favorable
opportunity.
Jessica had the fateful draft in her
hand as she ran quickly down the
trail and across the cleared space to
the cabin door. 1t was wide open
Peering warily, she saw that both
rooms were empty. and. with guilty
last glance about her. she entered.
nail in the wall held an old violin, and
beneath 1t was a shelf of books. She
took one from the meager row and
opened 1t curiously. 1t was David
Copperfeld," and she saw with kin
ding interest that heavy lines were
drawn along certain OF the pages. She
looked about her. Where should she
put the draft7 He had left marker
In the book. He would open II again
no doubt. She laid the draft between
the printed leaves, beyond the marker.
Then, replacing the volume on the
shelf, she ran from the door and has
tened back up the steep trail to the
Knob.
Leaning back against the warm rock,
tapped In the serene peacefulness OF
the spot, Jessica fell into reverie.
Never since her wedding day had
she said to herself boldly Il love him"
never till yesterday. Now all was
changed Her thought was tremu-
lous assurance: ~ shall stay here near
him day after day, watching. Some
day his memory will come back, and
then my love will comfort him. The
town will forget 1t has hated and viii
come to honor him Some time, seeing
how he is changed. his father viii for
give him and take him back, and we
shall all three go home to the white
house In the aspens. IL not, then my
place will still be with Hugh. Perhaps
we shall live here. Perhaps cabin
ike that Will be home, and I shall live
with him and work with him and care
Cor him."
Continu d next week.