People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-12-02

veal the incidents OF my existence for
the last month might place my happi-
ness and my very life in jeopardy"
81 do not know what your situation
is. of course" she replied, but l can
assure You that You have nothing to
fear from revealing your history to me-
if it is clear, as | am sure it is. If we
are to be friends and companions We
must have mutual confidence and trust "
From that moment | trusted Mrs
Lawton fully. felt that no harm could
possibly result to me from making her
acquainted with my history from first
to last. was anxious to make the rev
elauon to her. too, for l hated secrets,
and dreaded the possibility of being
misiudged.
"Mrs. Lawton," l said, you are a
stranger to me, but I trust you. ! will
tell you everything"
Very WELL" she answered, quietly
Il am sure you will lose nothing by it. :"
Then | told her all of my experiences
from the time l left home, leaving out
only all references to VIII Hanley and
Charles Cornell. | told her of the kind
ness Of Mr.. and Mrs Cornell, of the
GOODNESS of my cousin, of the warm in
terest of Mr.. Bernard, and of his sub
sequent conduct, and of the slanderous
reports that were put afoat by his COL
leagues, Miss Perkins and Mrs. Bond
She listened attentively until l had
come to finish, then, laying her hand
on mine, said:
81 believe you, Agnes. ] have the
greatest faith in every word You have
uttered"
81 am so glad you believe me-" l
cried, hardly restraining my tears. 81
was so much afraid you would not"
"But l do. There is that in your
looks and manner that forbids doubt
OF your honesty and truthfulness.
liked you when l first saw you at the
door, and I like you better now. I am
a queer woman in most respects, Agnes,
and dare say my sudden liking for
you is one of my queer freaks. People
will say so, at least. But it doesn't
matter, for l have little to do with peo-
pie and they have little to do with me.
live my own life in my own way, and
bother no one else and ask no one to
bother about me. But l will talk of
that at some other time, You have had
no dinner, have you?"
mo, ma'am," replied.
well, then, you certainly want it
now. You are to remain here three or
four days, if you will"
Three or four days?" exclaimed,
in tone Of deep disappointment 81
hoped l was to remain" Then re-
membering myself, Ipaused and blushed
in confusion.
You hoped you were to remain
longer?" Mrs. Lawton questioned.
Eyes, ma'am," I replied. Il hoped
You could employ me in some way"
81 don't know about that" she said.
81 am a queer, grim, unpleasant old
woman, and you may find living with
me unbearable. | should be glad to
have you here, for / have taken a
strange fancy to you, and if You care to
stay you shall. But you must have a
few days to decide. You must come to
understand me better before you make
any agreement. Remain three days
and then we will talk the matter over
again. Now lay aside your things and
come with me to dinner"
obeyed, and few minutes later we
sat down to little table in large,
airy room and were served with the
choicest Of viands. My hostess talked
little during the meal, and for the
greater part of the time seemed deeply
absorbed in thought. Once glanced
up to find her eyes riveted on me in a
curious gaze, and the instant her eyes
met mine she let them drop and flush
suffused her face.
After dinner she took me all
through the house and showed me the
various rooms. There was library
well supplied with books, and ex.
pressed my admiration of it.
do you like books?" she asked.
II am very fond of them" replied.
Then" she said, make yourself al
home here. The books will help you tc
get through the long, dull days
Time will not drag" answered, ST
l have plenty of duties"
You will have but one duty, anC
that is to get what enjoyment you car
out OF your stay with me. have shown
you the house, now make Yourself a
home in it. Three days from now W,
! will talk this mattar ora, oc.o;v -