Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-30
CHAPTER 70

mysterious change hsd been wrought
In her.
In tie past days her soul had been
possessed by u painful agitation which
she did not attempt to analyze. Al
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 s:ch times she
was restless and sat much alone. puz
cling David Stires by meaningless re-
sponses.
She could rot tell him that the son
whose name he never took upon his
lips VS. so near; that he whose crime
his fathers pride Of name had hidden
through ali the months since then Ind
gone down With the current, Stunned
by honest folk, adding to his one dis.
NAL act Inc weigh. Of persistent rope.
titicn. 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 n 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 hei
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
By and make the reprobate Of today
The favorite of tomorrow, but IN it.
very reserve she instinctvely felt Il
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 tina
she had no longer fear Of soul or sense
OF irrevocnbe loss or suffering The
who had sinned.
He must some time learn the fact.
of his past. Was it not better to know
the very worst 1t contained now. t.
put all behind him and face a future
hat held no hidden menace? She
,lone could tell him what had cloudet
his career. the thing whose sign and
symbol was the forged draft. She car.
ried the slip Of paper in the bosom oil
Ter dress. and every day she took I,
out and looked at it as Mt some malefi
cent relic. 1t was token Of the ole
buried misery that. its final purpose
accomplished. should be forgotten for
ever How to convey the truth with
ms little pain as might be. this was the
problem. and she had found the sou.
jon. She would leave the draft secret
y in the cabin, where he must see 1t
L bore his own name. and the deadly
Eord David Stires' cramped fist hac
written across it told It's signIfican,
tory. How 1t got there Hugh would
lot question. It would be to him only
4 detail Of his forgotten life there.
She was glad when late the next aft
ernoor DR.. Brent came for his chat
with David Stires. and the latter SEM
her out for Il walk.
All was quiet. No wisp Of smoke
rurled from the cabin chimney, nc
work was forward. for Harry hat
climbed far up the mountain. alone
with his thoughts. 1t was a favorable
opportunity.
Jessicn had the fatefui draft In hei
hand as she ran quickly down the
trail and across the cleared space to
the cabin door, 1t was wide omen
Tecring warily. she saw that both
rooms were empty, and. with a guilty
last glance about her, she entered 4
nail In the wall he'd an old violin, and
beneath 1t was shelf Of books. She
ook one from the mcager row and
Pened it curioua!y. 1t was David
copperhed." and she saw with kin
ling interest that heavy lines were
lrawn along certain of the pages. She
ooked about her. Where should she
put the drafti He had left a marker
IN the book. He would open 1t 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 pcacefulness OF
tie spot, Jessica fell into reverle
Never since her wedding day had
she said to herself boldly II love him
never till yesterday. Now all was
changed. Her thought was a tremI-
,ous assurance: Il 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 ard will
come TO honor him.. Some time, seeing
how he Is changed. his father will for
give him and take him back, and we
shall all three go home to the white
house In the aspcns If not. then my
place will still be with Hugh. Perhaps
we shall live here. Perhaps cabin
like that will be home. and shall liyC
with him and work with him and care
for him"
Thus she dreamed-a new day dream.
unravaged by the sordid tests OF YER
ity.
So absorbed was she that she did not
hear step approaching over the
ypringy moss, a sharply broken breath
% the intruder sti1ed an exclamation.
She had drawn her handkerchief
across her eyes against the dancing
glimmsr Of sunlight. Suddenly 1t drop.
ped to her lap. and she half turned.
In an instant of s,frprise. as Harrys
look flashed into hers. name sprane
uubidden to her lips-a name that
struck his strained face to sudden
KhitencsD. ringing In his ears like the