Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-12-25
at Is pleasant enough work with only

had any experience. why, you can't ID
twenty"
EMO, wish was; am only nineteen
Ally, which Is E?''
Jane went away singing softly to herself
and the afternoon passed away, and the sur
went down amid flame-colored clouds.
Dorothy was teaching Ally the beauty OF
the ever-changing sky. The sun sank like
ball Of fire, and dusk crept over the eartl
like mantle of silence.
Ally slipped away To sec IL papa had
finished his business. She found him in his
study sitting before writing table reading
paper; his face was pale and troubled and
the light of the reading lamp shone full
upon his haggard face.
Ally ran to him, climbed upon his knee
and said:
MAY have tea with you, papa"
He kissed her very tenderly, then hastily
writing on sheet of paper, Darling, does
this refer to you? Send back word by Ally,
yes or no." he then cut out half column OF
newspaper and enclosed 1t, saying to Ally:
"Where is Miss Snow, pet?"
~ left her in the nursery, papa; she has
dressed for dinner, SO shall find her there
still"
run then pet, and give her this. Tell her
papa wants an answer"
When Ally ran into the nursery, her
pretty white frock fluttered about her, her
tiny dancing feet tripping lightly over the
polished floor, Dorothy stood by the fire in
her black velvet dress with the jeweled
cross flashing on her fair bosom.
Here's letter from papa, Miss Snow"
Dorothy took it in surprise, and knelt
down 10 read it by the light of the blazing
log-fire. The printed slip tluttered down on
the rug; she hastily picked it up and read it
with the look of hunted creature.
Ally grew impatient.
Please, Miss Snow, papa says am to
take back an answer"
Dorothy rose, pushed her hair back from
her forehead like one dazed, and with
weary sigh drew Ally to her, saying:
ALLY, did papa look grieved or angry"
'He looked sorry, Miss Snow, and he for
got 10 kiss me-"
Then run back to him, pet, and when
you tell him Miss Snow says yes kiss him
very kindly with your little arms around his
neck"
Ally ran away TO do her bidding, and
found Mr.. Penfold pacing the room in an
agitated manner. She ran to him with out
stretched arms; he picked her up tenderly,
and she put her arms about his neck, saying
as she kissed him:
Miss Snow says yes, papa"
God help her then, poor girl! Come,
petite, we will 90 TO her."
Dorothy still stood by the fire, tears steal
ing softly down her cheeks. When Mr..
Penfold entered she turned to him and said:
"Oh, Pierce, what can l do 10 make you
understand the misery that made me des-
perate and glad TO get away at any cost?
Send the child away and / will tell you all
about it,"
Mr.. Penfold kissed Ally, rang bell, and
said TO Jane:
'Stay here and give the child her tea.
Miss Snow is going to write some letters for
me before dinner"
Jane stayed, and as Dorothy won't down
to the study with Mr.. Penfold, she seemed
excited ana upset.
In the study CHEEKY fire burnt br ghtly.
Pierce drew a chair TO the fire, and pursua-
ded Dorothy to sit down.
She did as he desired while he bent over
her, his eyes brimmng over with piuful
love. Dorothy's hands trembed as she
casped them over her knees, saying softly:
MY troubles began year ago, when my
dear mother after y tr eff illness, died. She
was the W dow of a r!ch mine-owner; the
dear dad had be n keen man of business,
managing his affairs with such skill that
when lie died he left his wife large for
tune, and a splendid opportunity of increas-
ing it,
"Au, By his will. after dear mothers
death, reverted TO me, but left my mother
20 choose a guardian for me, should she die
during my minority. Ny mother had but
few friends, and no near relations. She
chose rs guardian an old friend of my
fathers, man who managed her affairs for
her.
HE is man Of about forty, handsome
and shrewd. My poor mother believed him
TO be the best man breathing, and died,
leaving me and all l possessed under his
sole control. He came directly after her
death and took his post as head OF the
house, and treated me with marked kind
ness. Everything promised that he would
be a model guardan but from the first |
shrank from his too tender manner-all my
instinct was against him.
II begged him TO allow me TO return to
my old school, till 1 came of age, but he
would not hear of IL, neither would he al
low me companion of my own age. In.
stead, he brought his sister TO rule in my
mothers place-a prim severe woman, ten
years his senior
by degrees, all the old servants were
sent away, till l stood alone, martyr TO
their power. / dared hardly call my soul
my own. But worse than Margaret Middle
toms severity was her brothers too evident
partiality. He haunted me. l never knew
peaceful moment.
'At last the crisis came. He asked me IL
marry him, declaring il was my mothers
wish, and when l gave him decided refu
sal, said if he could not force my love. he
could make me marry him. if only TO save
my honor, and swore, with an awful oath,
to make me humble by outraging my limo
cence.
Il had no one to whom | could appeal, he
had me cut off from all ties, was entirely
in his power; and one night fancied tast
ed something strange in the wine at dinner,
and was seized by a dreadful drowsiness
that took away vital power.
II had sense enough left to know he had
drugged me, and made some excuse to get
10 my room. There / drank enough warm
water TO act as an emetic; then while he
oh mo eli fl,.. g 10,