Prev | Current Page 166 | Next

Stretton, Hesba, 1832-1911

"Fern's Hollow"

Thee doesn't think father wants
thee to swear agen him?'
'Nay,' answered Stephen, 'the justice and Miss Anne would have me tell
the truth. It seems as if I can't do to everybody as they'd like me; so
I'll abide by telling the truth.'
There was no time for further discussion, for the constable from
Longville came in to conduct them before the magistrate, to give their
separate evidence concerning the events of the past night. Bess went
with them, weeping all the way beside them, and grieving Stephen's heart
by her tears, though she dared not speak a word in the constable's
presence. But he gave his testimony gravely and truthfully, and Tim and
Martha followed his example; and, in consequence of their joint
evidence, Black Thompson and Davies were fully committed to take their
trial at the next assizes, and were removed that afternoon to the county
jail.


CHAPTER XXI.
FORGIVENESS.

Bess Thompson started off on her way to her desolate home, almost
heart-broken, and with such a wrathful resentment against Stephen, and
Martha, and Tim, as seemed to blot out all memory of the lessons she had
been learning from Miss Anne since the little child's death.


Pages:
154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178