Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1926-07-23
SYNOPSIS

PRoLoGUE-Kenneth Gwynne was
gnVe years old In the spring Of 1912
when his father ran away from Ken
lucky with Rachel Carter, a widow
Ihey took with them Minda Carter
Kenneth's mother died of a broken
heart. His grandparents brought him
up to hate the name of Rachel Carter.
AN evil woman"
CHAPTER I-Kenneth, now a young
lawyer, seeks lodging for the night at
fh9 faf.Iatta farm of OF Phineas Striker near
father has recently died and that he is
on his way to take possession of ex-
tsn;, tensive lands he has Inherited The
rather and a mortgage runs to his ia
Tiers widow-the Rachel Carter A
beautiful nineteen -year-old girl who
refuses to give her name, Is visiting
the Strikers. Ken is much interested
In her
AS 1 grew Older | began TO MINK
that he hated me. That is terrible
thing to say-and you must think it
vile of me to say 1t to you, stranger.
But I have said it, and I would not
take 1t back. When I was thirteen
years old he hired me out as serv-
ant in a farmers family and l worked
there until l was fourteen. 1t was
not In this neighborhood l worked
for my board and keep, thing l could
not understand and bitterly resented,
because he was prosperous Then my
mother fell Ill. She was strong
woman but she broke down in health.
He came and got me and took me
ONE. was big girl for my age
big as | am nOw-and strong. |
id all the work about the house
until my mother was we'll again. He
never gave me a word of apprecia-
ton or one of encouragement.
HE was never unkind, he never
found fault with me, he. never in all
his life scolded or switched me when
was bad. Then, one day-it was
three years ago-he told me to get
;ready to go down to st. Louis to
school. He put me in charge OF
trader and his wife who were going
down the river by perogue. He gave
them money to buy suitable clothes
,for me-a large sum of money, it
must have been-and he provided me
with some for my own personal use.
II stayed there until l was called
home by his death. I expected to re-
turn to school, but my mother refused
to let me 60 back. That was last
fall. She is still In the deepest
mourning, and l believe will never
dress otherwise. have said all there
is to say about my father. ! did not
love him, l was not grieved when he
passed away. 1t was almost as II q
stranger had died."
She paused. He took occasion to
remark, sympathetically "He must
have been q strange man."
HE was" she said II hope have
made you understand what kind of
man he was, and what kind Of ia
ther he was to me. Now, | am COM
ing to the point. This finery you see
Inc In now was purchased without my
mothers knowledge or cOnsent-with
money of my own. The box was de-
livered to Phineas Striker day before
yesterday up in Lafayette. l came
here to spend the night, In order that
l might try them on. live in town,
with my mother. She left the farm
after my fathers death. She adored
him. She could not bear to live out
there on the lOnely-but, that is of no
interest to you. A few weeks ago l
asked her if | might not take off the
black. She refused at first, but final
ly consented SO wrote to the wom-
an who used to make my dresses In
st. Louis-my father was not stingy
with me, so | always had pretty
frocks-and now they have come. My
mother does not know about them.
She will be shocked when l tell l
have them, but she will not be angry.
She loves me. Is your curiosity salts
fed? 1t will have to be, for this is
all l care to divulge at present"
He smiled down into her earnest
eyes. my curiosity Is appeased," he
said 81 should not have slept to-
night If you had not explained this
tantalizing mystery. Therefore,
thank you. May l have your permis-
sion to say that you are very lovely
IN your new frock and that you are
marvelously becoming to it?'
wait till you see me In my black
dress and homeland mittens," she
challenged.
Eliza appeared In the doorway. She
was rolling down her sleeves.
How are you two gettin' along?"
she inquired, looking from one to the
other keenly.
The girl spoke quickly, before her
companion could reply. "We have had
a most agreeable chat, Eliza. Are
you through In the kitchen? If you
are, would you mind coming into the
bedroom with me? l want you to see
the other dress on me. Good night"
she said to Gwynne. mo doubt we
shall meet again"
He was dumbfounded. "Am not
to see you in the new dress?" he
cried, visibly disappointed. Surely
you are not going to deny me the Joy
of beholding you In"