"Bring others
and behold the sight of your lives. Behold a woman keeping her word when
the need for the keeping is over!"
A growing excitement was rising in Mary's voice; she was nearing the end
of her endurance and was becoming reckless.
By the time the Lodge was reached a goodly crowd was at the steps leading
up to the bar. Jerry McAlpin was there with Jerry-Jo beside him. Hornby,
just come from the digging of the two graves, stood nearby with the scent
of fresh earth clinging to him.
Suddenly Mary McAdam came out of the house, her arms filled with bottles,
while behind her followed Farwell rolling a cask.
What occurred then was so surprising and bewildering that those who
looked on were never able to clearly describe the scene. Standing with
her load, Mary McAdam spoke fierce, hot words. She showed herself no
mercy, asked for no pity. She had dealt in a business that threatened the
souls of men and boys, made harder the lives of women. She had blinded
herself and made herself believe that she and hers were better, stronger
than others, and now----
Mary was magnificent in her abandon and despair.
Pages:
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108