Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1900-10-26

to the table and pouring out tea in
the energetic manner that seemed
haDltual 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 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 | was never allowed
to love as a child. of whom | know
nothing. How did she bear her faith
er's dreadful death?"
Madame Dubois dropped the sugar
tongs with loud clatter. and sudden
~ her face changed to an ashen hue.
her whole demeanOr altered
How has she heard ito" she mut-
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. dav
and night2" And she sank back in
her chair. as if unable to sit up. while
her eyes swept round the room in
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. vet
different. and finally to a room that
she did not recognize at all. where
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 pa-
ture, and a 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 il. and /
certainly tears would not help her. so |
she buried her head in the white Guilt
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 |
It 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
Mollrs noticed with relief that she
bore little resemblance to Mr.. Bar
lowe. and masses of fiaxen curls. so
fair as to be almost white, softened
the little face.
For minute the sisters regarded
each other gravely. Mollie's beautiful
pink and white face had flushed
brightly, her sweet gray eyes were
fixed wistfully on the child. but the
latter was quite composed; her thin
lips were pressed together as she cool
ly surveyed her half-sister from her
sunny brown head to her dainty foot.
We'll, Kate. do you remember me-"
asked Mollie, gently
Hardly. What were you doing?"
Il was saying my prayers. Don't
you say yours
No." returned Kate. loftily Il am
a free thinker. like my Cousin Henry"
"Oh!" CALCULATED Molie, astounded.
81 don't think, Kate. you knocked be-
fore you came in"
"Of course not" was the calm reply.
This house and everything here is
mine"
Truly this was promising begin
ming The child evidently had been
taught to believe herself a person of
great Importance, and during the half
hour she spent with Molie she con-
descendingly repeated both her aunt's
and the servants injudicious fattery.
and uncOnsciously revealed much of
the inner life Of the house-revela-
lions by no means attractive-and
MOllie would have ruthlessly put the
young lady out of her room by the
shoulders had she not exercised great
Yet IL was very dis
heartening. Who had she in the world
TO love but Kate. And she craved love
as a flower needs the sun. 1t would