Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-10-06
CHAPTER III-cOntInusd..

'T didn't have any money to speak
Sf, but had some jewelry-my moth
r's-and he was to take that and
pawn 1t for money to get married
With"
IL see"
The kirl in her turn went to one Of
The windows, standing with her back
10 the room. Whitaker drew a chair
Tor her and took a seat little dis
lance away, with a keen glance APP
praising the change In her condition.
She seemed measurably more COM
posed and mistress of her emotions,
though he had to judge mostly by her
voice and manner, so dark was the
room.
"Don't" she cried sharply. "Please
aon't look at me So"
II beg your pardon. didn't mean
o-"
''Its only-only that you make me
mink Of what you must be thinking
hbout me-"
you've had a narrow but a won
aerfully lucky escape"
"Ohl But I'm not glad
| was desperate"
II mean," he interrupted coolly,
-from Mr.. Morton. The silver lining
is, you're not married to a black
guard"
"Oh, yes, yesl' she agreed passion
ltely.
"And you have youth, health, years
Of life before you'll"
He sighed inaudibly
"You wouldn't say that, If you under
stood"
"Have you thought of going home?
Have you written to your father-ex-
plainedT
II sent him a special delivery three
lays ago, and-and yesterday a tele-
gram. knew it wouldn't do any good,
but / told him everything. He
didn't answer. He won't, ever"
She bent forward, elbows on knees,
head and shoulders cringing.
1T hurts sop she walled Z.
Awhat people will think the
shame, the bitter, bitter shame Of
Ihisi I've earned my punishment"
"Oh. l say--"
'But have, because-because /
didn't love him. 1 didn't love him at
all, and knew it, even though / meant
to marry him. :"
But, why-ln Heavens nameT
Because I was so lonely and 4.
misunderstood and unhappy at home.
No mother. never daring to see my
sister (she ran away, too) my
friendships at school discouraged
nothing in life but my father to bully
me and make cruel fun Of me because
I'm not pretty. :. That's why ]
ran away with a man 1 didn't love
because 1 wanted freedom and little
happiness"
rGood Lord 7" he murmured beneath
bis breath, awed by the pltiful, childish
simplicity Of her confession and the
deep damnation that had waited upon
her.
s"So It's over I" she cried-"over, and
I've learned my lesson, and I'm dis
graced forever, and friendless and
"Stop right therew he checked hel
roughly. you're not friendless yet
and that nullifes all. the rest. b
glad you've had your romance anC
learned your lesson"
please don't think I'm not grateful
for your Kindness she interrupted
'But the disgrace-that can't be blot
ted outr'
"Oh, yes, 1t can," he insisted bluntly
There's a way l know"
A glimmering of that way had onl
that instant let a little light in upo
the darkness of his solicitous distres
for her. He rose and began to wal
and think, hands clasped behind hin
trying to make what he had in min
seem right and reasonable.
'You mean beg my father to tax
me back. I'll die first ~
"There mustn't be any more tall
or even any thought, of anything lik
that. / understand too well to ask tt
impossible of you. But there is or
way out-0 perfectly right way
you're willing and brave enough
take a chance--a long chance"
Somehow she seemed to gain hoI
Of bis tone. She sat up, following hi