Various reports place him in Boston, in New York, even
as far west as Ohio, whether as Cochranite evangelist or what
not, alas! we can never know. I despair of ever tracing his
steps. I only hope that he died before he wandered too widely,
either from his belief in God or his fidelity to my mother's
long-suffering love."
Waitstill read the letter twice through and replaced it in her
dress to read again at night. It seemed the only tangible
evidence of Ivory's love that she had ever received and she
warmed her heart with what she felt that he had put between the
lines.
"Would that I were free to tell you how I value your friendship!"
"My mother's heart feeds on the sight of you!" "I want you to
know something of the circumstances that have made me a prisoner
in life, instead of a free man." "Yours is the most undaunted
heart in all the world!" These sentences Waitstill rehearsed
again and again and they rang in her ears like music, converting
all the tasks of her long day into a deep and silent joy.
XIX
AT THE BRICK STORE
THERE were two grand places for gossip in the community; the old
tavern on the Edgewood side of the bridge and the brick store in
Riverboro. The company at the Edgewood Tavern would be a trifle
different in character, more picturesque, imposing, and eclectic
because of the transient guests that gave it change and variety.
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