Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-04-06


Nj SIS Martha then. in a tone that BODIED
storm.
The girl had flung of her cloak
from which the loose snow scattered
and iiquelicd on Miss Martha's neat
rag carpet. She pulled off her knitted
cap and tossed il dlsdainfully on II
chair. One saw then what Il splendid
creature she was Her form though
not yet matured. was beautiful; she
had the bear ng of n duchess. Her
head was poised perfectly on long,
white neck; her hazel eyes looked black
by night. her checks and lips were
carmine. her hair magnificent auburn
name.
Gabicl's eyes rested on her in silent
gladness.
Come" sad Miss Martha. IF you
want any tea, Nalcnt ne. you'd better
set up to the table. "
Tea" said the girl contemptuouslv.
Il hate tea. hate these country WAYS.
/ hate your horrid noon-day dinners.
People I've like heathens here-except
few, who know something You
wouldn't find them eating dinner at
noon ut Forrester's. or Masury's. y
Gabriel looked panied. But Miss
Martha's righteous Indignation was
bubbing up and ready to flow over.
"Sce here, now she said sharply. IL
don't want 10 hear another word from
You. Such sassy talk | never heard
tell of in all my life. You've been
read ne too many ghfalutn novels,
Young lady; ii lay my hands on any
more books you borrow from that Wall
ter Masurv. they'll 90 into the k tchen
stove. That's all I've got TO say.
Valentine" said Gabriel, sadly
'have you seen Walter Masury to-
dave"
The girl had seated herself and was
putting good deal of sugar 60 Miss
Martha mind II her tea.
Yes. Uncle Gabriel; I've been sleigh.
ing with him. You didn't forbid NO.
you know" she ended dctianlly.
NO; but | told YOU what thought
enough to reason; and thought you
wouldn't care to do ANYTHING that did't
| look we'll Walter Masury is the son
of rich man. and he broke off
with n : oh.
The sou Of rich man." the girl
replied haughtily. And who am Ii?
| Do YOU mean that he o. any other
Young man dareS TO think himself bet
ter than |? Why | am not of ,our
flesh and blood. every one knows
| that"
/ Her d sdain was cruelty fine and
| finely cruel. Gabriel started rs if she
| had struck him in the face. He drop
| pen his teaspoon with sharp sound.
/ Then he arose and went into the
| parlor.
You wicked, dngratcful girlr
/ cried Mss Martha. more angry than
/ she had been long time. after
/ all your uncle has done for you Amt
| YOU ashamed? Who are YOU? Yes.
I that what 1 ii Ike to know. a east
\ oil, founding. that Gabriel and poor
/ Priscilla was kind enough to take in
/ and do for rs thcr own. II I'd had
my way, you'd been packed of To the
/ poorhouse That who YOU are
Mss Martha slammed her chair
against the wall and began TO take the
/ tea TN nos into the Kitchen.
/ Valentine - Gabr eel called gently
/ from the parlor twill YOU please come
/ in here? I've something to say TO YOU.
/ Bring lamp | may want to show
I Won something.
Valentine brought lamp and set it
on the center table. between the fam "
Bible and the old photograph album.
! The angry blaze died out of her ewes
/ though her checks were still flushed.
/ At heart she really cared for Gabriel
/ Oakley. He was the only one she had
had TO care for nee Prise lla died. and
that was long ago. But Miss Martha z
words still rang in her ears.
IF It's anything particular, I'll 90
and put my cloak and cap away first"
she said with little trace of sull ness.
'Well. " he answered.
When she returned. NJ IS Martha,
having fin shed clearing off the tea
things, was in the kitchen washing
them and had closed the door OF the
sitting-roOm. There, was no one -
overhear what Gabr ell might say.
Nalent ne sat down IN the armchair
opposite him. The comfortable was
between them. and the lampl ght made
Gabriel look pale.
valentine. " he began, you are
seventeen and little moro. don /
know just how much. A little whlc
ago. when Won were angry, you asked.
Who am 1?' Well. until to-da.
couldn't have answered that question
for Won. Or. Uouidjtt have answered
it, Maybe | had my IDEAS; maybe
though | knew who your mother was
and who your father was. But. may
be on the other hand. | had nv own
reasons for keeping the secret" He
paused and seemed TO reflect
Tho Girl had slowly moved her BODY
forward TO the edge Of the chair and
sat panfully attentive to his speech.
my father and mother" she MUIR
INJURED. Were thcy--r CHIP
Yes" he said. 'rhese people were
rich.
Her eyes shot forth new fire.
"And You kept me from showing
WAIT. he said gently "Wait { II I
have done. 1t is seventeen
years ago this very night. was COM
ing home a long distance. from court
I'd been serving on jury. and il was
just n little after midn ght. 1t
was a bright. cold night terribly cold. |
remember. The full moon made everr-
thing plain ~ DAYLIGHT