La Junta tribune., 1900-11-24

q
II was 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
aginatlon saw her stcpfa,her's tall
form at the hall-door as they drew
up before II.
Where is my half-sister. Kate?" she
inquired. as she followed madame
who was talking volubiy. into the
drawlng-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
habituai 10 her. You will hardly
know her again, or. indeed. the place
Ny brother made so many improve
ments."
IT did not want improving" ex
claimed Molly, shortly. What was
good enough for my mother was GER
tainly good enough for Mr.. Barloxe"
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 h1ery
happy with me and Your sister"
My half-sister." corrected Molly,
quietly. Whom ! was 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 fiercely to Moilie. Never mention
anything belonging to II IL you do not
wish to drive me crazy. Is 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 q
pthahHc,
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 OF her outdoor
garments.
Like girl in dream she followed
the tall. strong figure through hall
and passages that were the same, yet
different. and finally to room that
she did not recognize at all. where a
housemaid was unstrappinx 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 a servant
who knew her remained. Dismissing
the maid, she threw herself down by
the bed, dark forebodings and dread
Weighing Gown her usually bright ma
ture. and 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. 1t 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
Ger calmly tears would not help her, so
she buried 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.
Mollie was SO startled that she
sprang up, and, turning round. beheld
a little girl. dressed in the latest Par
isian fashion for children. standing
regarding her with curious eyes. She
was not pretty. for her small. sharp
her expression old and cunning; but
Mollie noticed with relief that she
bore little resemblance to Mr.. Bar
lowe, and masses Of haxen curla, -
fair ~ to be almost white. softeAed
the little face.
For = minute the sisters regarded
each other gravely. Mollie's beautiful
| mink and whita fnea had N,sahaA
brightly. her sweet gray eyes wsss
fixed wistfully ON the child. but IN
latter was quite composed: her tia
lips were pressed together ~ she enn1-
" surveyed her halt-sister from ~
sunny brown head to her dainty 16ok
ssWalI Rafa An x6a, ranaasni,ar sunaleI