Then
we went--when no one knew--and was married. Now he's my man and he's
always been lil' Ann's father till--till--"
A log fell upon the hearth and both women started guiltily and
affrightedly.
"Go on! go on!" breathed Lynda. "Go on!"
"Till the twins came--Burke's and mine! Then he knew the
difference--even his love for me couldn't help him--it hindered; and
while I--I feared, I understood!"
"Oh! oh! oh!" Lynda covered her aching eyes with her cold hands. She
dared not look at Nella-Rose. That childish yet old face was crowding
everything but pity from the world. Truedale, herself--what did they
matter?
"He--he couldn't bear to have lil' Ann touch--the babies. I could see
him--shiver! And lil' Ann--she's like a flower--she fades if you don't
love her. She grew afraid and--and hid, and it seemed like the soul of
me would die; for, don't you see, Burke thinks that Marg's man is--is
the father, and Marg and Jed lays the trouble to Burke and they think
her--his! And--and it has grown more since the big road brought us-all
closer. The big road brought trouble as well as good. Once"--and here
the haggard face whitened--"once Burke and Jed fought--and a fight in
the hills means more fights! Just then Bill Trim was hurt and told me
before he died; it was like opening a grave! I 'most died 'long with
Bill Trim--'til I studied about lil' Ann! And then--I saw wide, and
right far, like I hadn't since--since before I hated.
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