La Junta tribune., 1900-11-24
cHAprER u.-lcontlnnedl

IL wise not 10 inform you. As for
how your stepfather died they can
only conjecture, nor can any motive
be given for the crime He was found
by the servants in the morning when
they went to open the study, and was
lying on the floor near the window
which was wide open. You know how
bitterly cold 10 was last Easter? Well
II had been showing hard all night.
and II had dri.ted In and was lying
thickly on his shoulders. Had any
trace OF his assailant been possible on
the hard ground the snow had covered
IA. and this showed that the deed must
have been done early in the night be-
fore II began. There were no signs OF
any struggle. nor was anything taken.
and they fancy he must have been
asleep in his chair. for death was
caused by two terrific blows on the
back OF the head. Now. Mollie. l
have told you ALL and you must not
let this depress you. or | shall feel
more than ever TO blame Joyce will
be delighted TO have your companion
ship. and the White House is not so
very far on. you know"
with Il great effort Moliie shook on
the vague feeling of coming evil that
had fallen upon her. and she looked up
at her friend with an attempt at a
smile.
Mrs. Arstruther's face WAS rapidly
getting familiar to her again; her
voice seemed pleasant echo from the
past. Even the little way she had OF
shaking her head TO emphasize her
words was the same as of yore.
She and Mrs. L'Estrange had been
left widows about the same time; but
while one had made the rash marriage
that had ruined her life. the other
had devoted herself to her two child
rem and their interests.
Mollie had seen little of them since
she had been at school, for when she
was at home for the holidays. they had
been away; but she had happy recol-
lections OF white-frocked little girl
who was Joyce, and a tall boy who
used to send them flying to and fro
In swing under some great trees.
Thank you very much" she said.
STRENGTHENING herself and sitting up.
II 30 nice to think that shall have
Kind friends near me lit feels
rather lonely coming home like this.
you see. And though hated--that is.
disiiked Mr.. Bariowe. still. It is a ter
ribie thing to have happened. and
there is my half-sister Kate"
Yes. yes. of course. Well. Mollie.
your mother and l were true friends.
though Mr.. Barlowe prevented us see-
Ing too much OF each other in later
years. Come to me whenever you like
my child"
'oh. WILL" responded Mollie more
cheerfully. Tell me. Mrs. Anstruther
shall ! like Madame Dubois: do Won
know herr"
Mrs. Anstruther moved uneasily.
and drew out her watch.
We shall be at Reverton in a few
minutes now" she exclaimed almost
in tone OF relief "of course. not
having been friendly with Mr.. Bar
lowe, do not know his sister well:
but We are on speaking terms. and
Henri Dubois comes over to play ten
mis- with my young people when he is
at home. Now here We are. and don I
forget that you are to come to us
whenever you like"
With the uncomfortable Impression
that Mrs. Anstruther was trying to
make the best OF things, Mollie thank
ed her. and the next moment the train
stopped at the dear old country sta
tion she remembered SO well, and she
was in Reverton once more!
There was only one person on the
platform-A tall and remarkablv
handsome woman, with a dark. al
most masculine face. and piercing
black eyes under heavy brows, and
these same eyes fell upon the uncon-
scious Mollie rs the train slowly giid-
ed into the station. and took in every
detail Of the sweet little face with a
strange. quick intentness. She was
most elegantly attired in half
mourning. that showed of her splen-
didly powerful figure to the greatest
advantage; and as Mollie sprang out
and looked round she came up quickly
with smile on her wide, thin-lipped
mouth.
Miss L'Estrange. think" she said
In loud. deep voice. Il am your
aunt. Madame Dubois. and have been
greatly looking forward to your ar
rival. All. Mrs. Anstruther. how are
your"
Her aunt! Leonard Barlowe's sister
her aunt! Mollie's brain reeied at the
notion. while her hand was. shaken
with = firm, nervous grip that almost
made her scream out with pain.
Then abe was conscious that Mrs.
Anstruther had kissed her kindly Il
parting while responding very distant
ly to Madame Dubois. greeting. and
then thsy were bowling through Rev
erton In high mail phaeton behind
. pair Of fns horses. which madame
drove with eonsummato skill