Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-03-01

your chances. They will try to get
the land cheap"
"They have already" announced Jim
un~disturbedly. 81 sold one forty to
Grove this morning."
"Oh, Mr.. Colby"
1.-THE other | decided to YOU"
why! | cannot accept it,"
Its on record. If it amounts to
anything it's in safe hands. Every
thing slips through my poor fingers"
Even yOu," he added, mournfully.
Her lips trembled, her eyes seemed
to pierce his very soul, but she did not
speak the wild thought consuming her.
Go away" she almost sobbed. "Oh,
that have to say It'll"
whats the answerP' communed
poor Jim with himself, returning to
town. 1T seems as if at times she is
just going to throw herself in my arms
n then again l feel us If she was
judging me. What forf l never
wronged a single human being that 1
know of"
And then came a happening that
carried the whole township off it's feet,
and for a time even Jim forgot his love
sorrows. AT midnight a group of mad,
excited horsemen dashed through the
town, arousing people from their beds
with the thrilling announcement that
Oil had been struck on Glasgow creek
and a two thousand barrel "gusher'
was ~inundating Jim Colby's forty
acres.
Jim was at the scene at daylight.
Grove was there with a rig gang and
friends. Opulence stared him in the
face and he could scarcely contain
himself. ut vas a fair deal. l took
the risk in buying" he said to Jim,
in his own selfish way believing Jim's
mind to be filled with envy of his good
luck.
"Oh, yes, the deal was all fair" re-
sponded Jim quietly, "only you've
made a mistake"
"HOw is that?"
you've bored in the wrong place.
That gusher is on the land l have
made over to Mrs. Wetherell."
The rage, Chagrin, bitterness, disap-
pointment of Grove were frightful in
their expression. jim hired some men
to confine the flow, then he sought out
Mrs. Wetherell.
you are a rich woman" he told
her. you have heard the ncws?"
"Yes," she said, ''but l am rich only
so far as | am your trustee"
"Oh, you think you can sustain that
attitude. eh?" rallied jim.
Il shall, in all justice" declared
Janice resolutely.
well, I'm glad I've done one kind
act in the world" said Jim, turning to
depart. Little Clarice and the old
folks will never want
"Jim!"
He had reached the door, That
name, for the first time spoken by
Janice, electrified him like a pistol
shot. He turned in a flash. She was
Wavering where she stood, her heart
seemed bursting. Her arms were out.
S'i>'SiSN' SCb iC was " lLlhllS.
only Norma Richards" she walled
ooh, if she could be banished from my
memory. Her cruel abandonment, her
miserable death Oh, JIM"
He seemed to grow taller, nobler
The truth had suddenly flashed upon
him.
Janice" he said, "do you mean tC
tell me that all these years you be
lieyed it was l who lured poor Norma
Richards to elope, married her and
then left her to wretchedness and pov.
erty to die in the great city,"
you were with her in the CITY,"
Eyes; when | discovered her desti
tute, dying. 1t was l who took her tC
her mother. 1t was l who buried
her, the deserted wife of that heartless
%scOundrel, Harley Grove"
"Oh, Jim, the cruel years! And
doubted you! No, i nm unworthy OF
you'll"
But he had her in his arms, ant
held her there.
A. ItAN 1919