The Glenwood post., 1924-08-21
g 1t. have never been further
! the first village. down In the

than the first village. down In the
hollow"
Gerald came step nearer to her.
He leaned against the gate post. Hia
tone and manner became unconscious
ny caressing. It was generally u
when be spoke with women.
"You are In trouble. mademoisellee
he said. Sometimes even q stranger
may help" S''s'''' ~ y Z
She looked down the road toward
where the automobile was lacked up
yes" she admitted, II am In great
trouble. No one but stranger could
help me because have no friends"
sBe brave. then, and speak on
Gerald enjolned.
There had been no previous time In
her life when MYRTLE had been re-
quired to marshal her thoughts and
speak unaccustomed words. yet, At
that moment. clearly and unfalter.
|'ingly she told her story. She pointed
ito the weather-stained cottage behind.
Il live there" she said, with three
half-brothers and sisters and q step
father. My mother was the village
schoolmistress. She married for the
second time bad man, and she died.
have taken care Of those children.
have kept the house clean and tidy.
l have done what the cure told me
was my duty, and all the time 1 have
hated it,"
"Why?" Christopher asked simply.
She looked across as though sur
prised at his intervention.
Because the children are coarse
and greedy and ill-mannered," she ex-
planned. Il wear myself out trying to
make them different, but It is use
less. 1t 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. Yop
see. have read books-many books.
My mother and father were both weil
educated. I 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
nerveless with horror. It was that
look which had surprised the two
men. Her breath, as she spoke.
seemed choked with unuttered sobs.
my stepfather brought home from
the village tonight-the Widow
Dumay. He is to marry her-to bring
her to the farm. He brought, too
Pierre Leschamps, the keeper OF the
cafe. Horrible horrible !"
Pierre Leschamps," Gerald mur-
INJURED softly. "Go on
The girl opened her lips but the
words seemed to stick in her throat
"They propose, perhaps, to betroth
you?" he asked. with quick under
standing.
Her assent was mirrored 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 us two friends"
Gerald begged. "What would you have
us do?"
The girl pointed once more to where
the road disappeared amongst the
hills.
IF you leave me here" she de-
clared, II shall walk and run and
crawl until l pass out of sight there,
and perhaps they may borrow the Wild
ow's cart and catch me, and then 1
shall kill myself Take me with you
as far as you are going-somewller
where I can hide"
The car glided slowly up to where
they were standing. Gerald did not
hesitate for moment. He stepped
into his place at the driving wheel
and motioned to the seat by his side.
agreed" he said. 1--WE will start
you, little one-tell me. how are you
calledT
MYRTLE she murmured.
I'VE will start you of on the great
adventure of life. It seems to me
that there can be nothing, worse in
store for you than what you leave
behind"
The girl pushed open the gate and
sprang into the car like frightened
thing. Gerald turned his head. Around
the corner of the farm three unsteady
figures showed themselves; three
voices-two raucous and one shrill-
called for MYRTLE. There were
threats, gesticulations. The girl
covered by Gerald's side.
"Startl" she implored. "Start,
| pleasew
Christopher, however, hesltated.
Il think" he said, I'VE should first
hear what these people have to say.
They have, after all, some claim upon
the girl. 1t might be possible to aid
her without bringing her away from
home"
MYRTLE clung to Gerald. Her eyes
were swimming POOLS of passionate
| entrentv