Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1924-10-18
CHAPTER TI-Continued

?
81 have never been there. monsieur"
she answered. with her eyes fixed
upon Gerald. might after night,
when my work Is done, ] come hero
and | watch the road Just where 1t
fades away, but have never Travelled
along It. / have never been further
than the first village, down In the
hollow"
Gerald came a step nearer TO her.
He leaned against the gate post. His
tone and manner became unconscious
ly caresslng. It was generally so
when he spoke with women.
'You are in trouble, mademolselle,"
he said. Sometimes even stranger
may help"
She looked down the road toward
where the automobile was lacked up
Eyes" she admitted, Il am in great
trouble No one but a stranger could
help me because l have no friends
"Be brave, then, and speak on, ;"
Gerald enjoined.
There had been no previous time In
her life when MYRTLE had been re-
qulred to marshal her thoughts and
speak unaccustomed words, yet. at
that moment, clearly and unfalter-
ingy she told her story. She pointed
10 the weather-stalned cottage behind.
81 live there" she said, with three
hnlfbrothers and sisters and a step
father My mother was the village
schoolmlstress. She married for the
second time a bad man, and she died.
! have taken care Of those children.
l have kept the house clean and tidy,
/ have done what the cure told me
was my duty, and all the time / have
hated H."
"WhyT Christopher asked simply.
She looked across as though sur
prised at his Intervention
because the children are coarse
and greedy and ill-mannered," abe ex-
planned Il wear myself cut trying TO
make them different but It is use
less. II Is IN their blood. because my
stepfather--Is worse. Often he drinks
too much brandy. he is quarrelsome,
he is never kind. There is not one
little Joy in life. only when / escape
for a little time and come here. and
look down the road which leads to
liberty and wonder what may lie at
the other side of the hills there You
see, | have reDd b0oks-many books
My mother and father were both well
educated. | know and feel that the
life | am leading is terrible"
There is something beyond all
this" Gerald said. There is some
thing Of instant trouble in your face"
Again for moment she was voice
less, a white, dumb thing stricken
neryeless with horror. 1t was that
look which had surprised the tw
men. Her breath, as she spoke
seemed choked with unuttered sobs.
My steptather brought home from
the village tonight-the Widow
pumay. He is to marry her-to bring
her TO the farm. He brought. too
Pierre Leschamps. the keeper Of the
cafe. Horrible t-horriblel"
Pierre LeSchamps," Gerald muir
INJURED softly 60 on
The girl opened her lips but the
words seemed TO stick IN her throat
They propose. perhaps to betroth
youG' he asked. with quick under.
standing.
Her assent was mlrrored In the
agony Of her eyes
He is fat and old and he drinks, "
she cried. 81 would sooner die than
have him come near mel"
Look upon us ae two friends. =
Gerald begged. "What would you have
US do2"
The girl pointed once more 10 whore
the road disappeared amongs. the
huls
IF you leave me here" She de
clared, y shall walk and run ana
crawl urdl / pass out of sight there.
and perhaps they may borrow the Wild
ow's cart and catch me. ana thel. |
shall kill myself Take me with YOU
as far as you are going somewhere
where l can hide"
The car gllded slowly up to where
shey were standing. Gerald dli not
hesitate for a moment He stepped
into his place at the driving wheel
and motloned TO the seat by his side.
Agreed he said I'VE will start
you, little one-.eg me. how are you
called?"
MYRTLE" she murmured.
we will start you of on the great
adventure Of life II seems to me
that there can be nothing worse in