The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-08-07
CONTINUED
> CHAPTER XVII.

Mrs. tultOn was nrSt TO speak.
"When you are through playing the
piano, you can go on with your work"
she said coldly.
Faith stopped and picked up the dust
ing cloth and then rose to her feet.
81 didn't hurt your piano." The words
were on her lips, and her heart was hot
within her. But she choked the words
down. and without replying to Mrs.
Fulton she started to go out. Even
in her excited condition of mind she
could not help noticing that the young
man was gazing at her with greet at
tention.
at is not your place to touch the
piano." continued Mrs. Fulton, who
was angry. "You can leave it alone
after this"
'Motherw Alice spoke up in tone
of timid remohstrance. ''There has
been no harm done. has there? She
plays better than do. 1 never knew
before how that march ought to
sound
you're right about that" said the
young man. in a big. hearty voice. ''It
was finely done. and I've heard it play
ed by Sousa's band too"
Faith colored to her hair at the uneX-
pected praise, while Mrs. Fulton shut
the piano with a bang and looked eX-
tremely annoyed.
"You can finish your work here some
other time," she said to Faith sharply
Faith went out of the parlor without
having said a word. She was glad
when she reached the kitchen that she
had controlled herself, but the effort
not to say something in defense, to ex-
cuse her action, cost her a tremendous
struggle. AS she prepared the midday
meal. she choked several times with a
dry sob as she realized that she must
not try to be anything but a hired girl
while employed in that capacity.
This isn't the work ! ought to do,' -
she said to herself again and again,
''but ! am doing the best | can.
wouldn't have touched the piano if
hadn't forgotten myself at the sight OF
| the music. If | can get anything else
to do. won't stay here. But what car
l do, unless give up everything and
| go home? l won't do that until have
l
| to-"
Then she quieted her excitement by
recalling the home circle. Her fathers
face came up before her, and she said
81 am selfish to mind such thing. Fol
dear fathers saker'
When she appeared at the table in
answer to Mrs. Fulton's ring of the
| bell the first time, she showed no signs
| Of temper, and served quietly and
| cheerfully. Mrs. Fulton looked at bel
sharply several times, but apparently
found nothing in the girls face to an
noy her. The only embarrassing fea
| ture of the meal to Faith was the fact
| that several times she was conscious
that the young man, Malcom, was look
| ing at her very directly. 1t was not q
stare, but it embarrassed Faith some
| what. His face was honest and manly
but the look he often turned toward
her was very searching.
She was relieved when the meal was
over and she could clear things away
1t was Thursday afternoon, and sht
very quickly put her kitchen to rights
and, running up to her room, she pu
on hat and cloak and went out. She de
termined to have another look at tn,
picture on State street if it were still
there. And if it was gone plan hat
suddenly come to her mind which sh,
had resolved to try before going bacl
to the Fultons'.
She had been gone out of the hous
only a few minutes when a converse
ton occurred in the parlor whicl
would have interested her intensely i
she could have heard it.
The young man, Malcom, had been il
at ease all through the lunchtime
When it was over, he had gone into th
library, where he had asked leave t
write a letter. He was evidently
business acquaintance of Mr.. Fulton's
but the conversation at the table re
vealed the fact that he had not been il
the Fulton home before.
He finished his letter and went int
tthe parlor. Mrs. Fulton and Alice wer
there. The girl had not gone to schoo
on account of not feeling well.
81 am sorry that Mr.. Fulton did no
come out this noon, Mr.. Stanley" sal
Mrs. Fulton, who seemed anxious t
please him. 81 am sure he must hav
been unavoidably detained in the city
He telephoned out in the early part O
the forenoon that he would try to NEE
you here. l know he wanted to Sc
you before you go west"
Eyes, madam" replied Malcom Star
ley. He spoke respectfully, but on
who knew him well would have sal
his tone lacked heartiness. He wa
evidently very much disturbed abor
something.
He walked to the window and locke
out. Alice went over to the piano an
opened it. She sat down and played
= few bars of the march. Often whe
she was feeling miserable little mi
sic would relieve her.
The sound of the piano reused Ma
!. com Stanley. He came back to the mi'
die of the room, and, taking a ses
: near Mrs. Fulton, he said with SON
i emphasis, as if he had been maxim
J, up his mind to a course:
u Mrs. Fulton, where does your-girl
n the girl who waited on the table, WI
was playing the piano-where did 81
come from? What is her name"
Mrs. Fulton looked surprised an