Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-10-11

Shc 10 uOI Oh OHS, Suc iudhSS luc Ncly
anxious" she returned, sweeping over
to the table, and pouring out 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."
1T did not want improving" ex-
claimed Molly, shortly. What was
good enough for my mother was GER
tainly good enough for Mr.. Barlowe."
Madame Dubois shrugged her shout
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 was never allowed
to love as child, of whom | know
nothing. How did she bear her faith
erS 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 Mollie, Never mention
anything belonging to it if you do not
wish to drive me crazy! Is it not al
ways before me day and night, day
and night?" And she sank back in
her chair, as If 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
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 room that
she did not recognize at all, where a
housemaid 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 a servant
who knew her remained Dismissing
the maid, she threw herself down by
the bed, dark forebodings and dread
weighing down 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, it 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 it, and
certainly tears would not help her, sc
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
& 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
featured face was thin and witch-like
her expression old and cunning; but
Mollie noticed with relief that sh'
bore little resemblance to Mr.. Bar
lowe, and masses of f1axen curls, 81
fair as to be almost. white, softenet
the little face.
For a minute the sisters regarded
each other gravely. Mollie's beautiful
pink and white face had flushed
brightly, her sweet gray eyes wer
fixed wistfully on the child, but tn
latter was quite composed; her thil
lips were pressed together as she cool
ly surveyed her half-sister from he
sunny brown head to her dainty foot
well, Kate, do you remember me-?
asked Moilie, gently.
Hardly. What were you doing?"
81 was saying my prayers. Don
you say yours?"
NO." returned Kate, loftily. II ar
free thinker, like my Cousin Henry.
"Oh," calculated Mollie, astoundet
81 don't think, Kate, you knocked be
fore you came in
"Of course not" was the calm reply
This house and everything here
mine"
Truly this was a promising begin
ming. The child evidently had bee
taught to believe herself a person {
: great Importance, and during the hal
: hour she spent with Mollie she cor
J descendingly repeated both her aunt
3 and the servants injudicious fiatter.
t and unconsciously revealed much {
I the inner life of the house-revel;
: tions by no means attractive-an
e Mollie would have ruthlessly put tn
young lady out Of her room by tt
!, shoulders had she not exercised grei
self-command. Yet 1t was very di
: heartening. Who had she in the wor
t to love but Kate. And she craved 10y
# as a flower needs the sun. 1t wou
: have made things no better could 81
Il have heard Mrs. Anstruther's cor