Iuka reporter., 1890-11-20
TEL Fl
LITTLE WAIF.
A Story d Absorbing Interest,
sy BERNARD HERBERT.
CHAPTER Xxx.
OLD JEANS STORY.

OLD JEANS STORY.
xou are not Clarissel You are a
nocking devil! You are driving me
mad Out of my way, or will kill
soui'
Such desperate words, uttered with
the widest Of accents, with blood shot
syes glaring and hands clenched to
strike deadly blow, would have been
sufficient to intimidate any unprotected
lrl; and under ordinary circumstances
little Oracle would have thought it best
70 display the better part of valor, and
put herself out of reach of the old
man, who, in his wild excitement.
seemed to have lost all command of his
reason. :,
But she was fearless now; the allu!!
non to her likeness to Madame Clarisses
had awakened her suspicions and suo.
yested the possibility that she had Al
last hit upon some vague clew concern.
ing her mother.
AZ she would have dared death itself
for the sake of her missing mother, old
Jean Leonard's senile rawlings had no
power to terrify her Far from getting
p1t OF his way, as he had commanded.
she went to him, laid her hands firmly
nPon his trembling arms, and LOOKING
him straight in the eyes, said, in al
authoritative tone:
Listen to me, Mr.. Leonard! Iknov
four daughter. Be reasonable, and !
will do all I can to put you in the way
bf finding her."
Instantly the poor old fellow became
rs tractable as q child.
You know my daughter, you know
Cora2" he painted.
Yes, Iknow her. Come and cit On
This bench with me, and I will tell you
hll / can. Understand, first ofsall, that
| mean to be your friend"
Completely won over by her gentle
fnanner, old Jean permitted himself I'd
be led back to the rough-hewn bench
hnder the apple trees, and as little
Oracle seated herself beside him, thd
golden-haired child, Stella, came and
stood at Gracie's knees looking up into
ner face with her big baby-blue eyes
full of love and trust.
Your daughter is Q rich lady, and
ives not far from here" Oracle began,
when the old man interrupted her.
Rich, do you say?" he cried; "and
ne are 70 poor! Our little money il
yoing fast; do not think we shall havk
snough to get through the year with.
Then you must go to her! If, as vol
ay, you are her father, she will take
ARE Of you"
But Jean Leonard shook his aged
lead in doubt.
Il dare not go to her." he answered,
orrowfully; "she would not be glad to
30 me. She thinks me far away id
rance. at home in Paris, where she
,ft me-"
Then why are you here?"
\ came over year ago, when my
saith began to fail, and I could no
ore work to support the child. I
lew the man she went away with be-
nged to rich family near Boston. + |
" told the name was Clifford. and
len arrived in this country hunted
found their home; but the placs
q closed; they had gone abroad.
ace then I have remained here. wait.
!, waiting"
Waiting for what?"
For them to return. Cora told me
{ she was married to the gentleman,
/ hoped her husbands family
lid do something for her child
Her childl" exclaimed Oracle, with
adden rush Of intelligence; @whati
le Stella ?"
Stella is my grandchild. Cora left
with me in Paris when she was less
q year old, promising to send
icy regularly to support her. That
over two years ago, and until to.
I have not seen or heard . WORD I
] her" !.
)h, what an unnatural, wicked i
herl" burst from Gracie's lips in in !.
ntary horror. /
Ut old jean did not seem to heed r
he went on in the same despairind
4: s.
I had thought that should meet %
by coming here / should never o.
r have come. "
on fear her, then p b,
ot for myself She might kill me
J, chose, my life is Of no value; bul
she will take the child away "