Latimer has told me why
you and your friend separated, and I cannot bear to think that it was
she--my mother--should have been the cause. She could not have
understood; she must have been innocent of any knowledge of the
trouble she had brought to men who were such good friends of hers and
to each other. It seems to me as though my finding that coin is more
than a coincidence. I somehow think that the daughter is to help undo
the harm that her mother has caused--unwittingly caused. Keep the
medal and don't give it back to me, for I am sure your friend has kept
his, and I am sure he is still your friend at heart. Don't think I am
speaking hastily or that I am thoughtless in what I am saying, but it
seems to me as if friends--good, true friends--were so few that one
cannot let them go without a word to bring them back. But though I am
only a girl, and a very light and unfeeling girl, some people think, I
feel this very much, and I do wish I could bring your old friend back
to you again as I brought back his pledge."
"It has been many years since Henry Burgoyne and I have met," said the
old man, slowly, "and it would be quite absurd to think that he still
holds any trace of that foolish, boyish feeling of loyalty that we
once had for each other.
Pages:
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182