Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1924-08-01

| uiOhS IT. nave htNSi bCSA AuA ahSA
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 caressing. 1t was generally so
when he spoke with women.
you are in trouble, mademoisele,"
he said Sometimes even stranger
may help"
She looked down the road toward
where the automobile was lacked up.
Yes" she admitted, Il am in great
trouble No one but stranger could
help me because | 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-
quired to marshal her thoughts and
speak unaccustomed words. yet, at
that moment, clearly and unfalter-
ingly she told her story. She pointed
TO the weather-stained cottage behind.
81 live there" she said, with three
half-brothers and sisters and 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.
have done what the cure told me
was my duty, and all the time have
hated it."
"Why?" Christopher asked simply.
She looked across as though sur
prlsed 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 l 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 read books-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 a moment she was voice
less, white dumb thing stricken
nerveless with horror 1t 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 Ieschamps,p Gerald MUIR
INJURED softly. $50 on
The girl opeaed her lips but the
words seemed to stick in her throat.
"They propose, perhaps, to betroth
your 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 me-"
Look upon us as 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, 81 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
shall kill myself. Take me with you
as far as you are golng-somewhere
where 1 can hide"
The car glided slowly up to where
they were standing. Gerald did not
hesitate for a moment. He stepped
into his place at the driving wheel
and motioned to the seat by his side.
Agreed" he said. "We viii start
you, little one-tell me, how are you
calledT
MYRTLE" she murmured.
1--WE win start you off on the great
adventure of life. 1t 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 a frightened
thing. Gerald turned his head. Around
the corner of the farm three unsteady
figures showed themselves; three
voices-two raucous and one shrilI-
called for MYRTLE. There were
threats, gesticulations The girl
covered by Gerald's side.
"StartW 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 It might be possible to aid
her without bringing her away from
home"
MYRTLE chung to Gerald Her eyes
were swimming pools Of passionate