The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-09-21

lneS were OF the glO0m1est as the
chimneys of Chalfont came In sight.
1t wa a large, ugly, red-brick house,
standing in well-kept grounds, and
looked very much as she had remem-
bered it all her life; but she could not
repress a shudder as she thought Of
what had happened there, and in i'm
agination saw her %stepfather's tall
form at the hall-door as they drew
up before it.
Where is my half-sister. Kate?" she
inquired, as she followed madame,
who was talking vo,ubly, into the
drawing-room.
Il will send for her. Poor child,
she Is not strong; she makes me very
anxious" she returned, sweeping over
to the table, and pouring cut tea in
the energetic manner that seemed
habitual to her. you will hardly
know her again, or, indeed, the place.
My brother made so many improve
ments."
ut did not want Improving" ex-
claimed Molly, shortly. What was
good enough for my mother was GER
tatnly good enough for Mr.. Barlowe."
Madame Dubois shrugged her shoul-
ders. Though an Englishwoman she
had many French gestures and ex-
pressions. and her black eyes swept
over Colonel L'Estrange's young
daughter with a lightning glance.
You are impulsive, sweet child"
she said, shortly. But you will soon
grow to like the changes, and be very
happy with me and your sister"
My half-sister," corrected Molly,
quietly. Whom l vas never allowed
to love as a child, OF whom I know
nothing. How did she bear her faith
er's dreadful DEATH"
Madame Dubois dropped the sugar.
tongs with a loud clatter, and sudden-
ly her face changed to an ashen hue.
her whole demeanor altered.
How has she heard it?" she NUT
tered between her teeth. Then. turn
ing fercely to Mollie, Never mention
anything belonging to 1t II you do not
wish to drive me crazy! lie 1t not al
ways before me day and night, day
and night?" And she sank back in
her chair. as II unable to sit up, while
her eyes swept round the room in a
strange, covering manner
Astonished at the effect OF her words
Molly sat blankly regarding her. Had
she spoken In sorrow her tender heart
would have melted toward her at once.
even though she was Leonard Bar
loves sister, but there was only an
odd, frightened passion in her voice
and bearing. and something in her
hard face repulsed and kept Mollie
silent, while, before she could think
OF anything suitable to say, madame
had recovered herself and had sug-
gested that she take off her outdoor
garments.
Like a girl In a dream she followed
the tall, strong figure through hall
and passages that were the same. yet
different, and finally to a that
she did not recognize at all, where a
housemafd was unstrapping her
trunks. And this was her homecom-
ing, this was the way she returned
to her mothers house-a stranger
among strangers, where everything
was altered, where not even q servant
who knew her remained. Dismisstng
the maid, she threw herself down by
the bed, dark forebodings and dread
weighing down her usually bright ma
ture, and q dreary longing for the
mother with whom every spot In Chal-
font had been associated tearing at
her heart-strings.
Poor little schoolgirl! She fought
down the choking feeling In her
throat with mingled pride and resolu-
ton. Colonel L~'Estrange's daughter
must not give way before strangers.
But oh. II was hateful to think that
she was In the charge Of this Madame
Dubois! Then she began to reflect
that she must make the best OF 1t. and
certainly tears would not help her, SO
she hurled her head In the white quilt
and prayed for strength to forgive
her enemies and think no evil.
What are You doing?". demanded
an imperious voice suddenly.
M0llie was 10 startled that she
aprang up. and, turning round, beheld
q little girl, dressed In the latest Par
islam fashion for children, standing
regarding her with curious eyes. She
was not pretty, for her small. sharp
featured face was thin and wttch-likeI
her expression old and cunning; but