Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-01-11
AIS RACHEL.

"Going away! All, thank Heaven,
going away!'
1t was Joyous cry of ineffable glad
ness and relief, and Cleo Lynn, talking
half to her bounding heart, apd half to
the damp painting before her, to which
she had Just given the finishing touch,
clasped her tired brown hands at the
back of her head, her eyes seeking the
pale white-hecked strip of sky above
eyes misty with unshed tears.
1t was a curious place for a studio
the tumble-down disused barn-loft back
of Mrs. Blacks ugly farmhouse, sup
posed to be habited only by mice and
spiders, while, instead, ''the girl" spent
every stolen moment there at her easel,
revelling in her own creations, so pre-
cious because so dearly won, and so
entirely her own, starting at every
SQUAD, communing with her heart and
the little mice that came out of their
holes to watch her curiously.
She dressed badly, shabbilY; none
knew it better than she, who hated and
Ioathed the ragged unudy calicoes, and
coarse shoes; but on tins particular
morning she laughed at herself and her
dress triumphantly, Until the pretty
struggling curls all about her wide
white brow bobbed comically.
mo more hard drudgery."
mo more harsh words and bitter
hurlings of poverty and dependence
against my teeth, under which nay spirit
chafes."
"Better to beg in the streets of the
great city l read of, than longer endure
this life-than eat of the bread so grud-
g1ngly given"
Going away! Oh, thank Heaven,
going away"
''Cleo, what are you saying"
The girl sprang to her feet as If to
shield her picture flom unklnd curious
gaze, standing as a honess at bay, her
eyes flashing angriIy upon the speaker
through their tears.
Swinging himself up through the
small opening into the loft, William
Black advanced toward the girl, a start
led look on his face, that; though clear
cut, even patrician in features, under
the large slouch hat, portrayed no
emotOn-was cold, stern, and indiffer-
ent usually.
He was Mrs. Blacks brother-a man
who roamed about always, but was
seen very rarely at his own house.
"You are going away, Cleo, little
Cleo?"
'Why, ] shall miss you when I come
h )me."
He looked at the girl wistfullY, lifting
his hat from the long thick hair on his
brow, white and strangely in contrast
with his bronzed cheeks.
All the pent-up bitterness of the
miserable life passed beneath his roof
broke forth madly.
eyes, William Black, going away
from life of heartache and misery.
"Oh no, you never thought, you
never cared all these years for the child
left you by dying patients.
'1 have been tempted to curse my
own dead father for consigning me to
your care
"Why do they not hang, shoot, the
orphans when parents die?'
1T would be a mercy"
"God in His mercy grant when 1
leave you here, that I may never look
on the face of Black againl'
With one hand on her heart as if she
would still its mad suffocating throbs,
she stood IN an attitude of pale scorn
and defiance.
William Black had recoiled as if
shaken by mighty wind before this
passionate anathema, and now stood
watching her III silent wonder and
panied amazement.
why, Cleo, little Cleo, I never thought
but you were happy.
"I-"
"Stopl
SNAKE me no excuses; you come
with them too late.
CAL ask of you is to leave me-to
keep out of my sight, to which Black
is hateful.
II hear your sister calling me to car.
ry the farm hands dlnner-for the last
time, thank Heavenl
Tomorrow go for everp
''Stopl'
Stepping hastily forward to bar her
egress, William Black laid his hand
heavily on her shoulders, and the pas
sion that leapt up into the chill face
startled the girl into obedience.
''You shall not go, for, Cleo, little
"ne-I love you better than my hope of
! H ,aven
II did not dream of it until now
until was about to lose you.
''Walt; / am not poor, and I will take
you away now, tomorrow, to the great
cities you long for.
"Forgive my neglect all these years
be merciful, little Cleo"
He had thrown his arm around her