Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-01-20

tory hands:
There came to her now and again
gentle old ranchers-"grangers they
would be called-and shy boys from
the farms, but for the most part the
men she saw imhittered her. and she
kept out OF their sight as much as pos
sible. Her keenest pleasures, almost
her only pleasures, lay in the occasion
al brief visits of Cavanagh as he rode
in for his mail.
Lie perceived all these attacks on
her daughter and was infuriated by
them. Her brows were knotted with
care as well as with pain. and she in
cessantly urged Virginia to go back to
Sulphur. "Pll send you money TO pay
your board till you strike job" But
TO this the girl would not agree, and
the business by reason Of her presence
went on increasing from day to day.
To Redfeld Lie one day confessed
her pain. 81 ought to send for that
doctor up there. but the plain truth is
I'm afraid of him. l don't want to
know what's the matter of me. It's
his job to tell me I'm sick. and I'm
scared of his verdict"
Nonsense" he replied. You can't
afford TO put of getting him much
longer. I'm going back tonight. but
I'll be over again tomorrow. Why
don't you let me bring him down? 1t
will save you Sl2. And. by the way.
suppose you let me take Lee Virginia
home with me. She looks a bit de-
pressed. An outing will do her good
She's taken hold here wonderfully"
Hasn't she! But | should have sent
her away the very first night. I'm get
ting to depend on her I'm plumb
foolish about her now-can't let her
out Of my sight. and yet I'm off my
feed worrying over her. Gregg is get
ting dangerous. You can't fool me
When it comes to men. Curse 'em.
They're all alike, every one Of them.
won't have my girl mistreated, tell
you that. I'm not fit TO be her mother.
Now, that's the truth. Reddy, and this
rotten little back country COW town is
no place for her. But what can dol
She won't leave me so long as I'm
sick, and every day ties her closer to
me. | don't know what I'd do without
her. If I'm going to die | want her
by me when take my drop. so you
see just how I'm placed"
She looked yellow and drawn as she
ended. and Redfeld was moved by her
unwonted tenderness.
Now, let me advise" he began aft
er moments pause. I'VE mustn't let
the girl get homesick. I'll take her
home with me this afternoon and
bring her back along with doctor to-
morrow"
"All right, but before you go l want
to have a private talk. l want to tell
you something"
He warned her away from what
promised to be a confession. Now,
now, Eliza, don't tell me anything that
requires that tone Of voice. I'm a bad
person to keep a secret, and you might
be sorry for it. | don't want to know
anything more about your business
than can guess"
Il don't mean the whisky trade"
she explained. I've cut that all out
anyway. It's something more impor.
tant-it's about Ed and me-"
Il don't want to hear that either"
lp dnylOrll nt Ha hr
cones. What you did then is outlaw.
ed anyway. Those were fierce times,
and want to forget them" He look.
ed about. Let me see Miss Virginia
and convey to her Mrs. Redfield's In.
| vitation."
She's in the kitchen. l reckon. Go
right out"
He was rather glad of a chance tc
see the young reformer in action and
smiled as he came upon her surround
ed by walters and cooks, busily super
intending the preparations for the
noon meal. which amounted to a tu
mutt each day.
She saw Redfeld. nodded and q few
moments later came toward him
| flushed and beaming with welcome
Pm glad to see you again. Mr.. Super
visor"
He bowed profoundly. Mrs. Red
field sends by me formal invitation
to you to visit Elk Lodge She is no
quite able to take the long ride, els,
she'd come to you" Here he handed
her a note. II suggest that you go VI
with me this afternoon, and tomorrow
We'll fetch the doctor down to se
your mother. What do you say t.
that?"
Her eyes were dewy with grateful
appreciation of his kindness as sh