Deborah and Hugh Fornever.

Everyone recognizes a love story as soon as they see one. Man falls in love with woman, woman falls back, happily ever after. Right? Wrong. For Deborah, happily ever after is something that isn’t even in her vocabulary. Deborah is in love with her cousin, Hugh Wolfe, something that is evident right from the start of the story. She is willing to brave extreme cold and torrential downpour simply to bring Hugh his supper. Even when Janey suggests she stays home, Deborah is adamant, responding with “No, no. The boy ‘ll starve,” and sharply pushing the child to the side. Deborah is in terrible condition physically, and her willingness to walk miles upon miles to bring Hugh his food speaks volume about her desperation. Not only does she risk her health for Hugh, she risks his life. She knows that he is desperate to be more than what he is – just a mill-hand – and do more with his life, despite the fact that he has no money to do so. While Hugh is speaking to Mitchell and the Doctor about his potential, she finds an opportunity to rob Mitchell.  When Hugh is telling Deborah about his despair, she proudly hands over the money, exclaiming “I took it! Me, me!—not hur! I shall be hanged, I shall be burnt in hell, if anybody knows I took it! Out of his pocket, as he leaned against t’ bricks. Hur knows?” before walking away, as if it was the most normal thing in the world. Yet, once again, Hugh is ungrateful for her actions and does not reciprocate her feelings.

There are many other places in the story that show Deborah’s affection for Hugh and just as many places where her effort falls short. Hugh is too wrapped up in his own life to care for another person, especially Deborah, who he will forever see as just another family member. Even in his death, Deborah wants a good place for Hugh to be buried. Her final showing of her love.