Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1900-12-13

| I'm to nave nome, she Oeclueu u
let me know" Wilfred replied.
"How old is the child q asked Aunt
Roey.
Twelve years DID," said Althea.
''The most difficult and disagreeable
age! When did you hear about this? 2
"Not till yesterday. We sat up halt
the night talking about it and think
ing we never could undertake it.
want you to go over and see mother
She is simply wild over it. She even
wants me to give up Wilfred entirely
"When does your charge come to
you?" asked Aunt Roey.
''That is the tragedy of it, Aunt
Roey; she says she is coming to our
wedding" said Althea. "We are not
going to have each other at all! She
will be here tonight
ooh, she is good one!" Wilfred
laughed. II know what self-willed
child she was at five years old.
haven't seen her since, but imagine
she has made steady progress"
"Here come the girls, said Althea,
looking out of the window.
Althea's three sisters came in the
gate between the hedge and marched
solemnly up tie walk and into the
room.
"Howis mother this morning, girlsT'
asked Althea. anxiously
"She says we needn't 60 on with
your sewing until Wilfred has disposed
of that child" replied Carolyn.
Aunt Roey rose and went to the
door. "Children, stay here until re-
turn" she said.
Mrs. Winthrop sat in her darkened
room nursing her thought of the bur-
den that had come to her daughter on
the eve of her marriage.
''Now, Roey, you needn't come over
here and argue with me!' she said, as
her sister came into the room.
81 should never have consented to
Althea's marriage, when she is so
young, but for you" ..
"And you must listen to me now,
Charlotte" said Roey, drawing chair
to her sisters side.
cit will not do any good for you to
talk. will never consent to my baby
being burdened in this way. I was
reasonable. 1 asked Wilfred to have
the child boarded somewhere. but he
says she must be with him. I should
think anyone could see his first duty
is to Althea."
"There is a perfect understanding
between Wilfred and Althea. She has
consented to their having the child
with them. Do you wish to rob AL
thea Of happiness that you have
been denied?"
81 do not know what you mean"
eff you had ever had the unselfish
love for anyone that Althea has for
Wilfred you would be stronger wom-
an than yol are" .....
Althea's mother got up quickly and
walked to the window. She stood
there motionless and silent for long
time.
"Tell the girls to come back and go
on with Althea's sewing" she said,
gently. II always have forgotten my
self for my children, Roey."
"You are forgetting yourself for
them now, God bless you," Roey re-
piled. and hurried away.
It was dusk when the train drew
up to the little station at Saranac.
Wilfred and Althea. who had come to-
gether to meet their charge, saw her
first as she ran down the long plat
form toward them.
"Uncle Wilfred!" exclaimed the lit
tie girl. and threw her arms about
him. 20, o you look so much like
papa!"
Dora, this is Althea," Wilfred re-
piled.
The child stood tiptoe and
scanned Althea's face earnestly.
isn't she pretty, Uncle Wilfred? I
was frightened to pieces to see you!"
she added. "And you are not sorry
I came to the wedding, are you?
Grandma said you wouldn't like it if
I came. I had real tussle with
grandma to come, and finally I had
to run away"
Wilfred was silent. AS the child
walked on before them to the carriage
he pressed Althea's hand.
give a good mind to ship her back
on the morning train" he whispered.
20. no; you couldn't do that!'
"Yes, I could. 1t will do her good
to refuse to uphold her in such dis
obedience"
"What makes you both so quiet?"
asked Dora, as they drove along the
country road.
81 have decided to send you back to
your grandmother in the morning."
Wilfred answered, shortly.
"Send me back!" exclaimed Dora,
and burst out crying. II knew you
were sorry I came, but Althea isn't.
She wants me-"
"No; neither of us want guest at
our wedding whom we have not in
vited," he replied, coldly.
"You ought to invite me, then, when
I'm your niece ana papa gave me to
you!"
'We are going to have a private
wedding. I supposed you had gained
your grandmother's consent to come
down here. In that case should have
let you stay; as it is, you must 60
back in the morning.
"Don't let him send me back" Dora
pleaded, clinging 10 Althea.
you'll have to do as Uncle Wilfred
thinks best" she answered, gently.
E. ~
denly she laughed out gayly.
TT is just like the story of the prin.
cess and the giant!" she exclaimed.