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Signing the Contract, and What It Cost

Chapter 1: SIGNING THE CONTRACT.
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About This Book

The narrative begins with a destitute mother and her child struggling through a storm, rescued by traveling strangers; her subsequent sheltering sets in motion a series of social entanglements, a promised marriage, and a painful search for lost connections. Misunderstandings, an unscrupulous woman who obstructs truth, and revelations about a missing legal document complicate lives, prompting remorse, brave resolves, and self-sacrifice. Interwoven episodes of hardship and kindness culminate in confession, recovery of what was lost, reconciliations, and restored relationships. Throughout, the work examines maternal devotion, moral trials, perseverance against social obstacles, and the eventual reward of truth and renewal.

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Signing the Contract, and What It Cost

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: Signing the Contract, and What It Cost

Author: Martha Finley

Release date: February 13, 2015 [eBook #48249]
Most recently updated: October 24, 2024

Language: English

Credits: Produced by David Edwards, Fay Dunn and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
file was produced from images generously made available
by The Internet Archive)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIGNING THE CONTRACT, AND WHAT IT COST ***

SIGNING THE CONTRACT.

Transcriber’s Note.

The cover image was created by the transcriber, and is placed in the public domain.

Variant spelling has been retained, as has inconsistent hyphenation. Simple typographical errors have been corrected.

The Table of Contents was added by the Transcriber.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE
I. A WANDERER 7
II. RESCUED 19
III. ONE FOR LIFE 28
IV. A STRANGE REVELATION 35
V. BETROTHED 45
VI THE SEARCH 52
VII. A WICKED SUGGESTION 58
VIII. MRS. ALDEN AN ABETTOR 66
IX. WHAT ESPY SAID ABOUT IT 74
X. FLOY’S RESOLVE 77
XI. LOVE AND PRIDE 82
XII. “LOST! LOST! LOST!” 87
XIII. FLOY’S QUEST 92
XIV. A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 95
XV. ALONE 103
XVI. INITIATED 112
XVII. HETTY TO THE RESCUE 120
XVIII. A CRUEL BLOW 128
XIX. A GREAT SURPRISE 138
XX. A SUDDEN SUMMONS 146
XXI. GHOSTS OF THE PAST 157
XXII. REMORSE 169
XXIII. OLD FRIENDS AND NEW 181
XXIV. GILDED MISERY 192
XXV. STITCH, STITCH, STITCH 197
XXVI. THE MADAME AT HER SOLICITOR’S 207
XXVII. THE LONG-LOST DEED 214
XXVIII. MESSRS. TREDICK & SERVER 222
XXIX. A THORNY ROSE 230
XXX. PANSY 234
XXXI. A WONDROUS CHANGE 241
XXXII. ETHEL AT HOME 248
XXXIII. A LETTER, A STORY, AND A PROMISE 255
XXXIV. THE MADAME’S CONFESSION 259
XXXV. A FLITTING 272
XXXVI. REUNITED 283
XXXVII. LOVE’S POSY 296
XXXVIII. “FOUND! FOUND! FOUND!” 307
XXXIX. THE MADAME’S QUEST IS ENDED 319
XL. THE CUP OVERFLOWS 326
XLI. AFTER THE RAIN, SUNLIGHT; AFTER THE STORM, A CALM. 331