Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-22

attended, and when 1t was known she
was the III. p" of the letters, she was
asked to speak. This was a new field
for her, but she was full of her sub
ject, so burning with indignation at
the injustice, that her appeal from the
platform carried the audience by
storm. She sat down wondering at
what she had done. But the people
who gathered around her at the close
with congratulations convinced her
she could do what she had never
thought she could, speak in public.
Hilda's first impulse was to tell Rich
ard when he came home. Then she de-
Cided not to. If it was reported let
him see it first in the papers. If not
she would bide her time. He knew
nothing Of her letters to the paper,
and they had never discussed the mat
ter. She was next asked to address a
meeting of men and women, and met
with even greater success. 1t was
strange that Richard heard nothing Of
that meeting and her part in 1t. If he
did, he said nothing.
One evening as the two sat togeth-
er, both reading, a maid entered.
"Mrs. Park, the telephone for you"
she said. at Is Judge Fuller"
Judge Fuller!" exclaimed Richard.
ut must be me he wants" And he
rose to answer the call.
NO" said his wife, she wants me,
but if you think it is mistake come
along"
Richard followed as she took up the
receiver.
"Yes," she said, "this is Mrs. Park.
Why yes, Of course. I'll be glad to
serve. Well that is an array Of dis
tinguished people! I'm highly hon
ored What's that? They are hon.
ored? Oh, no no that's too much for
small me! What time did you say?
Oh, eight o'clock, platform entrance.
Yes, I'll be there. Good-by."
1t would be difficult to describe what
was passing through Richard Parks
mind at that moment. He waited pa
tiently till the interview was finished,
expecting a full explanation from Hill
da. But she turned unconcernedly, and
went in the other room, as though he
did not exist. He followed her in
dazed condition, and again waited for
her to speak, but she gathered up some
papers, and turned to leave.
Look here, Hilda! What does this
mean?" he asked peremptorily.
"Now, Richard, it wouldn't interest
you in the least, why bother? l must
get off bunch of letters" And she
left the room.
This was shock number three. He
was too chagrined and stunned to urge
an explanation. The high standing of
Judge Fuller, and the mention of 9TH
ers to be present, taken with her will
ingness to let him hear precluded the
idea of anything irregular or unusual.
He tried to think what it meant, but
the shock wrought chaos in his mind.
On the evening of the great mass
meeting of protest Hilda sat on the
| platform, a member Of a committee Of
distinguished men and women. She
made one of the most telling speeches
| of the evening. Richard sat in the au-
dience, and the surprise so floored him,
he went home alone, and waited for
his wife. When she entered he said !:
II was there. Your speech was great
l suppose" he added a trifle patroniz-
ingly, 'you got good deal from that
fellow H. P.'s letters. They were
level-headed, no mistake. l
wonder who he isl
81 am the fellow" she said.
He looked at her a moment amazed
| ly, then he said proudly: "The rem
aissance Of Hilda Park" Then an
instant later: "Also the renaissance
Of Richard Park ~
Hilda put her hand in his. The new
companiOnship had begun.