The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-06-20
CHAPTER XLVIII

| Donna mad waited so long lOl
Bills telegram, asking over and
over again if message had come
for her, that when at last it was
put in her hand she was afraid
the printed words were a delu-
sion.
There were only five words,
E"Come home first train. Bill"
! She had unpaeked only a few
things from her travelling bag. In
less than Is minutes she had
Them all back, had snapped the
lock, paid her bill and checked
lout of the hotel. 1t made little
! difference to Donna whether she
had an hour or five minutes to
wait at the station 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 wait. There was just
time to buy the ticket, telegraph
Bill when the train would arrive,
and then scurry through the
gates.
On the 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's death and the
purpose of Con David's visit to
Lebanon. OF one thing only was
she positive. Bill had not rbeliev'
ed that she had eloped with Con
He might have thought she had
been married to Con. but. never
that she had run away with him
Why had he waited so long tt
send for her? 1t must have beer
on account of the will! Bill 'hac
read the will and knew that the
property was hers now.
The train wheels spun arounc
and around, carrying her nearer
to the climax of. the drama.
Bill met her at the depot. HI
had become, an austere, grim-fac
ed stranger who took her luggage
without "a word of greeting ant
then walked briskly to the little
car, permitting her to get il
without assistance. ......, . ...., .
His silence, his rigid lips ant
uncompromising attitude gave
Donna no helm in starting hel
confession. Twice during the ride
over the snow-caked road sh,
tried to tell him how grateful sht
was because he had sent for her
but the words stuck in her throat
She managed at last to say
"Of course Grandfather is bur
led"
"Yes."
Miss Perkins had gone and thu
door that led into the room wher,
Grandfather had lain for so man.
weeks was closed. Everything
else seemed the same. Minnie
rushed to meet Donna with opel
arms and hurst into tears as sh'
kissed her again and again.
.... "You shouldn't have went, Mis-
Siddal! You shouldn't have went
My lands, but I'm glad your
back" ,., ..- ...;. p. n..-
Bills gruff, "That will do, Min
ME-" sent the girl back to tn
kitchen. When the husband an
wife were alone in the little sit
ting room Bill said. sit down
There's an explanation l wan
from you"
"You know Donna choked
"that l wasn't married to Con
David-ever?" 50 .r
eyes, l know that. ] also know
that, in spite of Che fact thai
everything points to it, you didn't
run away with him. First. let me
tell you that grandfather left tho
farm and all the money he pos.
ee1sed to me-"
ooh, Pm glad" Donna cried.
"I'm so glad
doesn't it strike you as curl
GUS that he should do that"
81 don't know. But if he
hadn't died so soon l was going
to insist that he must change his
will. If the farm is yours--why
did you ask nc to come back? ]
hoped it might be because you
loved me- but l know it isn't. You
act as if you hate me-
. "No. I'm waiting to hear 1he
truth. I'm willing to accept any
explanation if You can give. me
one, Madeline. Or should | call
you DONNA"
She drew back. "You - you
know"
az know part of it. Here, read
lthisw From his pocket he drew
a folded sheet Of paper and hand
led it. to her., The handwriting
ran obliguely. was uncertain and
at times difficult to read.
Dear Rill," Donna made out.
Gas we forgive our debtors 40
are we forgiven. When you read
this, my boy, l shall be gone and
you will be suffering a double
pain. but if ] can understand the
motive that prompted the adecep:
ton and take into my heart and
home the deceiver how much cas-
Ter it should be for you who have
made her your wife!
ashes a dear, sweet girl, my
boy. And she ioves YOU. The
reason she deceived us doesn't
matter much since she gave me
more than she could have asked
At first l thought the property
might he an attraction but | soon
knew that wasn't true, Just real
ize, my boy, that you've a wife
above many. Love her and cher
ish her and be happy.
! ~ have decided the farm to