The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-05-31

Il told o never to go to that part
of the city alone" she said. why
did o do II? ~
Jessica's teacher could have ex-
planned that the particular street was
at attraction to her composition class.
way. hers. A colony from the famed
Black Forest lived there, with a
whole world Of legends and traditions,
in their tiny shops there were
genuine workers in p%orcelains and
violins. But Jessica only dropped her
frightened Yes and stammered a few
incoherent sentences which served to
iiberate guilt. And the whole OF the
Easter vacation was spent in her
room.
"Jessica reads too much.' DR.. Pot
ter, the family physician and next
door neighbor. remarked. Il see her
at the window with a book for days
together. Better keep her out of
very nervous, and YOU know she
doesn't come from overstrong stock"
Jessica is WELL" Mrs. West told him.
She is like me-like my family"
DR.. Potter looked up from the bed
he was raking. ION the outside, yes"
he said. Otherwise, she's all West.
a peculiar family. those Vests: 1
Know them root and branch. They
can be broken. but they can't be bent"
phasis which Mrs. West chose to re-
sent. She thanked him coldly and left
the window. but his words ranked.
He had spoken truth. He did know
the Vests, and he knew Of her. and
Philips trouble. His sympathy vas
with Philip. she had always felt. and
she had not cared. Men We're clan
mich che knnu, orI hcci6oS ho and
the Vests were friends. Resentment
would be a very natural thing.
AS for Jessica. she was well. OF
course. But the thought the doctor
had thrust upon her chung. and she
wandered about the house vaguely UNI
easy. Presently h found herself at
the child's door. and started with dis
entrance, sprang up with a gasp of
fright.
"Jessica.' she said on the mo-
ment's impulse. II want a message
taken to my seamstress. Be sure to
hurry back" she added a moment lat
er, when she had scribbled a note. Il
am going for a drive, and you may go
with me-"
The carriage came and waited. one
from window to window. each mo-
ment more and more sick at heart. 1t
came to her that her discipline had
failed utterly. Such a simple thing 1t
had seemed to mould the character of
a child. and her attempt had shown
the n impossible thing. Or, was 1t
impossible? Tomorrow she would be-
gin all over again. and her lips thin
ned in a way that promised i'll for Jes-
sica's shortcomings.
But when tomorrow came Jessica
lay in a darkened room, babbling in
delirium. and for a week her rawlings
laid bare a heart overfull. The fire in
the building where she waited for the
seamstress. the little child that had
followed her there, the deprivations
that had meant punishment, the hon
ors she had conjured from the lone
illness of her room. We're all told over
and ove again. DR.. Potter listened
grimly. and with each repetition Mrs.
Vests heart bled afresh. When the
crisis was past and Jessica. was in her
first restful sleep. the doctor asked
for an interview, and Mrs. West came
from it looking like a dead woman.
but her head was high and disdainful.
At the door the doctor turned.
Think we'll. Mrs. West" he said. "A
mans ruined life and a child's wreck
ed health and happiness are your
handiwork. Your way-and has II
paid? ask you, has it been worth
while +"
A door above stairs opened. The
nurse. anxious and perturbed. looked
relief at sight of the doctor. II was
going to phone you." she cried. The
child is awake, moaning inc talking
of her father. She must be quieted."
The door opened again to admit the
doctor, and a moan foated down.
With 1t was a something that gave