The Dolores star., 1924-10-10
CHAPTER II-Continued

2
~ have never been there. monsieur"
she answered. with her eyes fixed
upon Gerald. Might after night.
when my work Is done. | come here
and | watch the road just where II
fades away. but have never travelled
along Il have never been further
than the first village, down in the
hollow"
Gerald came 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. mademoiselle,"
be said. Sometimes even a stranger
may help"
She looked down the road toward
where the automobile was lacked up.
Yes" she admitted, q am in great
trouble. No one but a stranger could
help me because I have no friends
'Be brave, then, and speak on, I"
Gerald enjOlned.
There had been no previous time in
he life when MYRTLE had been re-
qured TO marshal her thoughts and
speak unaccustomed words, yet. at
that moment, clearly and unfalter-
ingly she told her story. She pointed
to the weathers stained cottage behind.
~ live there" she said. with three
hhlfbrotiiers and sisters and IA step
father My mother was the village
schoOlmlstress. She married for the
second time Il bad man. and she died.
l 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 l 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 lll-rnannered." she cX-
planned. u wear myself out trying to
make them differert, but 1t 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 I escape
for little time and come here. and
look down the road which leads to
liberty. and woNler 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
soil
thing of instant trouble In your face"
Again for moment she was voice
less. white, dumb thing stricken
nerveless with horror. 1t was that
look which had surprised the tw
men. Her breath, as she spoke,
seemed chOked with unuttered sobs.
MY stepfather bought home from
the village tonight-the Widow
Dumay- He is to marry her-to bring
her 10 the farm. He brought, too,
Pierre Leschamps, the keeper of the
cafe. Horrible horrible. -
pierre Leschamps," Gerald mur,
INJURED softly 60 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. Il would sooner die than
have him come near me. !"
Look upon US al two friends"
Gerald begged. "What would you have
US dof"
The girl pointed once more to where
the road disappeared amongst the
hills.
"If you leave me here" she de-
clared, Il shall walk and run and
crawl until ! 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 going-somewller
where l 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. I'VE will start
you. little one-'ell me, how are YOU
called?"
MYRTLE" She murmured.
'We will start you Off on the great
adventure of life. 1t seems to me
that there can be nothing worse In