The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1909-01-15

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As he stood there Hugh came from
the library. His head was down, and
he went furtively and slinkingly, as
though dreading even casual regard.
He snatched his hat from the rack,
passed out Of the house and was gwal'
lowed up in the dusk. David Stires
had followed his son into the hall. BE
answered the gloomy question In Har-
rvs eyes.
HE Is gcne," he said, land hope to
heaven may never see his face
again" Then slowly and feebly he
assembled the stairs.
Ten, fifteen minutes passed, and old
David Stires re-entered the room, went
feebly to his wheel chair and sat down
II have told her." be said presently
in broken voice. "You are kind, San.
derson. very kind. God help us!'
what has God to do with IT." fell
voice behind them. Harry faced
about. 1t was Jessica as he had first
|
bandage across her eyes.
what has God to do with IT." she
repeated in a hard tone. Perhaps Mr..
sanderson can tell as. 1t is IN his
line"
"Please"- said Harry.
He could not have told what he
would have asked, though the accent
was almost one Of entreaty. The harsh
satire touched his sacred calling. Com
ing from her lips 1t aYronted at once
his religious instinct and his awakened
love. 1t was all he said, for he stopped
suddenly at sight Of her face, pain
frosted. white as the folded cloth.
"Oh." she said, turning toward the
voice, :" remember what you said that
night right here IN this very room
that you scwed your Wild oats at col
lege with Hugh-that they were "a tidy
crop" You we're strong, and he was
weak. You led, and he followed
You were Satan saMderson,' abbot OF
the Saints, the set In which he learned
gambling. Why. 1t was IN your rooms
that he played hts first game Of poker
has gone to be an outcast. and you
stand in the pulpit IN cassock. you
the Rev Henry sanderson You help
ed to make him what be has become!
Can you undo IT,"
Harry was looking at her with a
stricken countenance. He had no an.
ewer ready. The wave Of confusion
J <bot haA ~,sS>,>A~~AA hS~a -A>u r.. ~
restored the bandage to her eyes had
again welled over him.
Il am not excusing Hugh now" she
went on wildly. "He has gone hey cnd
excuse or forgiveness He is as dead
to me as though had never known
him, though the word you spoke an
hour ago made me hts wife shall.
have that to remember all my life
that and the one moment had wait
ell for SO long. for my FIRST sight Of his
face and my brides kiss! must carry
1t with me always. | can never wipe
that face from my brain or the sting
Of that kiss from my lips-the kiss Of
forger, Of my husband"
The old man groaned. 81 didn't
know he had seen her!" he said help
less!y. "Jessica, Hugh's sin is not San
derson's faultr'
In her bitter words was an injustice
as passionate as her pain. but for her
life she could not help It She was a
| woman wrenched and torn. tortured
beyond control, numb with anguish
To Harry Sanderson her words fell
With a wholly disproportionate VIC
!ence. 1t had never occurred to him
that he himself had been individually
and actively the cause Of Hugh's
downfall. The accusat ton pierced
through the armor Of self esteem that
he had linked and riyeted with habit