Evening star., 1935-11-06
I3%&'2Syss''
lima Sso1x Sc3rLexry

But I do" mother interrupted her,
a little more tenderly because the re-
calling of her young love had released
a flood OF tears.
your father cut off all communica-
ton between you and Dale. That same
week the safe at the bank was robbed
of $25,000. They caught your huS-
band in Richmond and brought him
back. But neither your uncle nor your
father wanted your foolish marriage to
a bank robber to become known. So
they gave Dale his choice of enlist
ing in the Army and going to fight in
France, or spending the rest of his
life in Jail. He went to France"
Jane Lees sobS were SO violent that
Miss Friddle waited few seconds
before she continued. When the
younger woman quieted she began
again.
HE was killed in action at Chateau
Thierry. You almost lost your life
when your baby was born. because your
father did not want it known, and
would have no one but the practical
nurse When you were able to ask
questions. you asked for your baby.
Your father told you it was dead-it
had passed away at birth. For days
you lay in stupor.
-Four days after your baby was born
your mother gave birth at the farm
to Zanie Lou. She refused to 60 to a
hospital and demanded that her child
be born under the same conditions as
yours had been-with only the practi-
cal nurse in attendance"
Jane Lee was a crumpled little heap
in her bed. Mother Fridle's tender
heart went out in deepest pity at her
suffering. No matter how hard she
had seemed. and how much Mother
had thought she despised her for her
inhumanity toward Sugar. she could
not steel herself against Jane Lees
suffering any longer. She went over
and sat on the edge of the bed, to pat
her shoulder.
There, there" she soothed tenderly.
you mustn't break down like this.
know it's cruel to bring it all back"
She waited until Mrs LIE Masters
raised her head and dried her eyes.
"Who-who told you all this?" Jane
asked then, duly.
Your father" Mother Friddle
turned away and wiped her own eyes
He sent for me few months ago
Just before he died, and unburdenec
his heart
"But-how does it concern you?"
That's the hardest part of my story
to tell" Mothers old shoulders sagged
with her burden. Il hardly know how
to go on"
"Please-do." Jane Lee straightene
up and lay back among the pillows,
waiting. "I-muSt know
Mother went on with a supreme
effort.
Your fathers last words to me were
the plea that would find some way to
tell you, and undo the terrible wrong
he had done. All these months I have
prayed and waited. And it seemed.
suddenly that Providence had shown
me the way"
She stopped and her hands trembled
violently as she wiped the tears from
her eyes.
Jane Lee" she turned waxen in
spite of her tears, "your baby did not
die Your father paid Mrs. Simms
large sum of money and cancelled a
mortgage he held on her home to
keep his secret"
The younger woman raised in her
bed slowly. Her eyes grew wide with
horror at the import of the old maids
words.
mo. oh, no" she said in daZed
whisper" He wouldn't do that--my
father.
Yes. my child" Mother nodded
pityingly, "he did. You must believe
me. For the last month I have been
searching for Hazel Simms through
private detective agency. She went to
Atlanta I had a wire last evening
that they are bringing her here today
to tell her story"
Jane Lee seemed to shrink For sew
eral seconds the ticking of the little
boudoir clock beside Mrs. LIE Masters
bed was the only sound in the room.
Finally Jane Lee asked duly. And
my baby? What did he do with it?"
They brought it to me-" Mother
drew nearer and took the younger
woman in her arms. Your child is
Sugar Friddle"
With a wild scream Jane Lee fell
back among the pillows. in a death
like faint.
(To be continued)