d it between the leaves
of the family Bible.

But Joscelyn's name was never mentioned between them, and when other
people asked them concerning her their replies were cold and
ungracious. In a way they had relented towards her, but their shame of
her remained. They could never forget that she was an actress.

Once, six years after Joscelyn had left Spring Valley, Cyrus, who was
reading a paper by the table, got up with an angry exclamation and
stuffed it into the stove, thumping the lid on over it with grim
malignity.

"That fool dunno what he's talking about," was all he would say.
Deborah had her share of curiosity. The paper was the _National
Gazette_ and she knew that their next-door neighbour, James Pennan,
took it. She went over that evening and borrowed it, saying that their
own had been burned before she had had time to read the serial in it.
With one exception she read all its columns carefully without finding
anything to explain her husband's anger. Then she doubtfully plunged
into the exception ... a column of "Stage Notes." Halfway down she
came upon an adverse criticism of Joscelyn Morgan and her new play. It
was malicious and vituperative. Deborah Morgan's old eyes sparkled
dangerously as she read it.

"I guess somebody is pretty jealous of Josie," she muttered. "I don't
wonder Pa was riled up. But I guess she can hold her own. She's a
Morgan."

No long time after this Cyrus took a notion he'd like a trip to the
city. He'd like to see the Horse Fair and look up Cousin Hiram
Morgan's folks.

"Hiram and me used to be great chums, Mother. And we're getting kind
of mossy, I guess, never stirring out of Spring Valley. Let's go and
dissipate for a week--what say?"

Deborah agreed readily, albeit of late years she had been much averse
to going far from home and had never at any time been very fond of
Cousin Hiram's wife. Cyrus was as pleased as a child over their trip.
On the second day of their sojourn in the city he slipped away when
Deborah had gone shopping with Mrs. Hiram and hurried through the
streets to the Green Square Theatre with a hang-dog look. He bought a
ticket apologetically and sneaked in to his seat. It was a matinee
performance, and Joscelyn Morgan was starring in her famous new play.

Cyrus waited for the curtain to rise, feeling as if every one of his
Spring Valley neighbours must know where he was and revile him for it.
If Deborah were ever to find out ... but Deborah must never f