The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-06-30
CHAPTER xLvIII

Donna had waited 50 long for Btlrs telegram. asking over and over again if q message had come for her, that when at last it was put In her hand she was afraid the printed words were . delusion.
 There were only Ave words. Come home first train. Hill."
 She had unpaoked only . few things from her travelling bag. In less than IS minutes she had them all back, had snapped tho loclA paid her bill and checked out of the hotel. 1t made little difference to Donna whether she had an hour or I've minutes to walt at the sta ton for . train. Once her ticket was In her purse, she would feel that she was on her way back to Bill.
 Fortunately she did not have long to walt, There was just time to buy the ticket, telegraph Bill whom the train would arrive, and then seurry through the gates.
 On tho long trip she rehearsed over and over In her mind how she would tell him her story--how she had deceived him about the real Madeline'a death and the purpose of Con David'a visit to Lebanon. of ono thing only was she positive. Bill had not believed that she had eloped with Con. Ho might have thought she had been married to Con. but never that she had run away with him.
 Why had no waited 30 long to send for her? lt must have been on account of tho will! Bill had read the will and knew that the property was hers now.
 The train wheols spun around and around. carrying her nearer to the climax of tho drama.
 Bill met her at the depot. He had become an austere, grim faced stranger who took her luggage without word of greeting and then walked briskly to the littlo car, permitting hor to get in with out assistance.
 Ills silence, his rigid lips and un- compromising attitude gave Donna no help in starting her confession. Twico during the ride over tho snow-caked road she tried to tell him how grateful she was because he had sent for her, but tho words stuck in her throat.
 She managed at last to say, "ot course Grandfather is buried"
 "Yes."
 Miss Perkins had gone and tho door that led into the room where Grandfather had lain for SO many weeks was closed. Everything else seemed tho same. Minnie rushed to meet Donna with open arms and burst into tears as she kissed her again and again.
 You shouldn't have went, Mis- Siddall You shouldn't have wentl My lands, but I'm glad you're back!"
 Biii's gruff. That will do. Min. nie," sent tho girl back to tho kitchen. When tho husband and wife wore alono in tho little sit- ting room Dill said, "sit down, Thore's an explanation 1 want from you"
 "Yo1 know," Donna choked, "that l wasn't married to. Con Da- vid---ever?"
 "Yos, 1 know that also know that, In spite of tho Tact that everything points to 1t, you didn't run away With him First, let mo toll you that Grandfather left tho farm and all the money he pos sessed to mo-"
 "oh, I'm gladi" Donna cried.
 I'm NO glad!"
 "Doesn't lt strike you as curious that he should do thatY"
 "I don't know. But if he hadn't died SD soon 1 was going to Insist that he must change his will. ff the farm ls y0urs--why did you ask mo to come backY 1 hoped it might be because you loved me but 1 know it Isn't You act as If you hate mo-"
 "No. I'm waiting to hear the truth. I'm willing t0 accept any explanation if you can give mo ono, Madeline. Or should call you
 sho drew back "You--you
 "I know part of it. Here. read thiai" From his pocket he drcw 2 folded sheet of paper and handed 1t to her. The handwriting ran obliquely, was uncertain and at times difficult to read.
 "Dear Bill" Donna made out "As we forgive our debtors 70 are wo forgiven. When you read this, my boy, 1 shall be done and you wili be suffering q double pain, but # 1 can understand the motive that prompted the deception and take into my heart and h-nie the deceiver how much easier lt should be for you who have made her your wifeI
 "She's q dear, sweet girl, my boy. And shc loves you. The reason she deceived us doesn't matter much since she gave me more than sho could have asked. At first l thought the property might be an attraction but 1 soon knew that wasn't true, Just realise. my boy, { that you've wife above many. Love her and cherish her and De happy.
 since the real Madeline, caring nothing for it or for nfe, is not eh. tltied te lt and the niasgueradIDg Madeline could not hold it in court. "your loving oranduncie, Amos afXHafU