The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-07
THE 4CUSHION STORY. I
what Jen Found in Her Strange
Legacy.

drawl, had an accent now keener and
sharper than Jen Sxas accustomed 70.
She was pinning on her hat Ia front Of
the kitchen mirror, while Teddy, his
long legs dangling down, sat on the
edge Of the table. regarding his step
cousin with an expression Ia which
surprise and annoyance were mingled
Jen's face reflected the look She had
long been used 10 regarding Teddy in
the light IL an abjcct slave 70 all her
caprices. and this faint sign Of disap-
probation startled her.
well Tidy Barry Jen said. turn
ing full around
That's the name, said the undis-
concerted Ted II was only wonder
ing. my child. why ron wasted 80 much
time over that old French woman. You
broil yourself every day going down
there 70 make up her room, and wash
her. and cook for her, and read 10 her.
OH know, Jen. you're always back
when the milk comes Ia 10 do your duty
here. but what hurts me Is that you
seem 70 feel il equally your mission III
life 70 waste your sweet strength on
her"
Ted's hnrangue was over. He
clasped his strong bronzed hands back
Of his head. and looked 70 Jen for an
answer She was slim slip Of q girl,
not quite eighteen, but there was q
iook 10 her fearless gray eyes and some
thing Ia the curve Of her very sweet but
proud young lips which made one feel
insiinctiveiy that she not only had the
Courage of her convictions, but she
had weighed those convictions before
accepting them. She was the niece of
Tedayss gtep-nucle, old John Barry,
and since her annt's death year ago
had kept house for him. Ted, brought
up with her from childhood, had Just
returned after two years absence
vest. r. find III health, worry Of mind,
and advancing age had 10 enfeebied his
uncle that the old homestead WAS now
In the hands 81 q man only waiting for
his date 70 foreclose.
Ted, said Jen, very grayely, do
you think II ron were poor lonely old
woman, Jon would like to be e1stirely
deserted2 You know Mime. DGpre
came here first trying to find some Of
her old friends. Her daughter was II
have been married during the war, and
the officer was shot down in battle the
day set for the wedding. She was
looking for his people She couldn't
find them. She Is 50 sick and poor!''
Teddy's face was decidedly gentler
In expression BY this time. sJen, he
said. smiling in his slow way. You're
all right. It's only that know how
hard you work at home; and when |
see you going down to spend your leis-
nre over the French lady weIl, it goes
against me-"
I'm be back TO tea for sure, said
Jen, because"
As Jcn hesitated, Teddy supplement-
ed with a wicked but triumphant
laugh: '.0h. Jenk BeedQ8ek Does the
old miser erer give you anything TO cat?"
Teddy Jen's eyes were grave with
reproach. do you know she has just
avery little money in an old silk glove?
] take a few cents at time, and spend
it for her on the barcst necessaries.
There have been times my heart has
ached to think could not do more for
her"
by this time the step-cousins were in
the porch Of the old farmhouse. II
was at the back. facing the garden
which they both had known and loved
from childhood. Jen's bed Of valley
lilies, her sweet-pea vines, the long
strip Of box border, belonging to her
earliest recollection; and where the
bean poles stood near an old plum tree
was the place made years ago for a
special planting of radishes, which
Jen, . six-year-old girl, had declared
would thrive best there! Teddy and
she had been so proud Of that special
garden given them long agol The real
tile, beautiful to see. save for that one
fact that they lay under the dreadful
weight Of Dall's mortgage.
Poor old gardeni' sighed Jen.
Well, Teddy, wen have to do the hes,
VIC can, suppose, when, we leave 1t. "
Ted watched the girls slim upright
young figure down the road few mo
Nments in silence. His western venture
had proved unsuccessful, but through nc
fault Of his At twenty he had, sorely
against his will, given up his chosen
career in hfe-civil engineering set
tie matters on the old farm, after which
he went back to the west. resuming
work under hampered conditions. All
his savings had been sunk in trying to
extricate his uncle from his bondage.
He had returned to find Hiram Dali
~ -
Meanwhile Jenny had reached the
bridge which SPAWNED small brook
near old Nine Dupre's lodgings.
She felt as though a step from child
hood to. woman's kingdom had been
taken since she had learned the actual
emergency which had confronted her
home life, and like many another girl
similarly placed the question: What
can do2" was uppermost In her mind.
There were her nimble fingers ready
with the needle; there was her farming
life dairywork was a speciality with
her She was young, strong, unham-
pered BY NERVES" or foolish fancies.
II oagltto do some thing, Jen thought,
almost audibly, and lifted her eyes,
with deep, earnest look In them, TO
suddenly meet the small sharp orbs Of
Lawyer Dali He, too, was crossing
the little bridge.
Well Jenny he half sneered,
"What do you want--all the earth, and
the bridge, TOO? Now ] guess know
your errand; you're bound for mad
ame's-
Yes, Mr. Dali, = Jen said, with an
effort At composure. III must hurry
on; she Is very ill.,