Page:The trail of the golden horn.djvu/64

60 “At The Gap. I was at school then and met Tim when he was prospecting in the hills. He used to come to church every Sunday, and I saw him as we all marched in and out. Then for a time we managed to get letters to each other, and one night after all had gone to bed I slipped out of the house and met Tim by a big tree. He told me how much he loved me, and asked me to leave school and go back to my father and mother so he could see me often.”

The girl paused and a troubled expression overspread her face. Then with tear-dimmed eyes she turned impulsively to the nurse.

“That was the beginning of all my trouble,” she confessed. “I was found out and ordered not to meet Tim again. The missionary and his wife talked to me. They did not scold me, but said if I would not obey I would have to leave the school. I promised that I would be good. But, oh, Miss, as the weeks went by I did so long to see Tim just once again. I couldn’t live without him. I met him again by the tree, and—and,” her voice was very low now, “I was sent from the school in disgrace, and came to my parents.”

“Have you seen the missionary and his wife since?” Marion asked.

“No. Mrs. Norris died not long after I left. I did want to go to her funeral, but it was a long way, and I was afraid to meet the missionary. I believe she died because I left, for she thought so much of me. I couldn’t bear the thought of the missionary seeing me. I knew he wouldn’t scold, for he never did that, but he would look at me with those wonderful eyes of his, and, oh, Miss, if you could see them you would know just what I mean.”

“Is the missionary still living at The Gap?”