The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-12-06
CHAPTER XVII.


piano, you can go on with your work. v
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 great at
tention.
"It is not your place to touch the
piano." continued Mrs. Fulton. who
was angry. you can leave 1t alone
after this
Mother" Alice spoke up in q tone
Of timid remonstrance. There has
been no harm done. has there: She
plays better than co. never knew
before how that march ought to
sound"
You're right about that" said the
young man. in big, hearty voice. at
was finely done. and I've heard it play
ed by Sousa's band too"
Faith colored to her hair at the unex-
pccted praise. while Mrs. Fulton shut
the piano with bang and looked ex.
tremely annoyed.
"You can finish your work here some
other time" she said to Faith sharply
Faith went oIt Of the parlor without
having said word. She was glad
when she reached the kitchen that she
had controlled herself, but the effort
not to say somethln. in defense, to ey.
cuse her action, cost her n tremendou.
struggle. AS she prepared the midday
meal. she choked several times with Il
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"
the said to herself again and again,
but ! am doing the best | can. !
wouldn't have touched the piano II
hadn't forgotten myself at the sight Of
the music. II can get anything else
to 90. won't stay here. But what can
do. unless l give up everything and
go home? | won't do that unt.l l have
to-"
Then she Quleted her excitement by
recalling the home circle. Her fathers
face came up before her, and she said:
81 am selfish to mind such thing. For
dear fathers sake"
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 be-
sharply several times, but apparently
found nothing in the girls face to an
uoy 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 1t 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 she
very quickly put her kitchen to rights
and, running up to her room, she put
on hat and cloak and went out. She de-
tcrmlned to have another look at the
picture on State street If 1t were still
there. And II it was gone plan had
suddenly come to her mind which she
had resolved to try before going back
to the Fultons.
She had been gone out of the house
only n few minutes when conversa-
tion occurred In the parlor which
would have interested her intensely II
she could have heard it.
The young man, Malcom,. had been i'll
at ease all through the lunchtlme.
When II was over, he had gone into the
library, where he had asked leave to
write 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 In
the Fulton home before.
He finished his letter and went into
the parlor. Mrs. Fulton and Alice were
there. The girl had not gone to school
on account of not feeling well.
II am sorry that Mr.. Fulton did not
come out this noon, Mr.. Stanley" said
Mrs. Fulton, who seemed anxious to
please him. "I am sure he must have
been unavoidably detained in the city.
He telephoned out in the carly part OF
the forenoon that he would try to meet
you here. know he wanted to see
you before you go west"
Eyes, madam" replied Malcom Stan
ley. He spoke respectfully, but one
who knew him we'll would have said
his tone lacked heartiness. He was
evidently very much disturbed about
something.
He walked to the window and looked