Rocky Ford enterprise., 1900-11-23

Shshh'sn " III nihHh.
1t was a large. ugly. red-brick house.
standing In well-kept grounds. and
looked very much as she had remem-
bered II all her life: but she could not
repress shudder as she thought OF
what had happened there. and In i'm
asination saw her stcpfather's tall
form at the hali-door as they drew
up before IL.
where is my half-sistcr. Kate?" she
who was talking yolubiy. into the
drawing-room.
Il will send for her. Poor child.
she Is not strong: she makes me very
anxious" she returned. sweeping over
to the table. and pouring out tea In
the energetic manner that seemed
habitual to her. You will hardly
know her again. or. indeed. the place.
My brother made SO many improve
ments.''
1T did not want improving" cx-
claimed Molly. shortly. What was
good enough for my mother was GER
tainiy good enough for Mr.. Bariowc."
Madame Dubois shrugged her shoui-
ders. Though an EnslIshwoman she
had many French gestures and cx-
prrssions. and her black eyes swept
over Colonel L'EstTan.c's young
daughter with u lightning glance.
You are impuislyc. sweet child"
she said. shortly. "Bu, you will soon
grow TO like the changes. and be very
happy with me and your sister,
My half-sisicT." cOrrcc;ed Molly.
quietly. Whom | was never allowed
to love rs child. of whom I know
nothing. How did she bear her faith
cr's dreadful dca,h7"
Madame Dubois dropped the sugar
longs with loud cia,,cr. and sudden
iy her face changed to an ashcn hue.
her whole dcmcanor altered.
How has she heard it, she NUT
tered between her teeth. Then. turn
ins hcrceiy to Moilic. Never mention
nnythin. bciongin. to Il II you do not
wish To drive me crazy! II Il not al
ways before me day and night. day
and nisht!'' And she sank back in
her chair. as II unable to 81, mp. while
her eyes swept round the room In a
strange. covering manner.
Astonishcd at the cfYcc, Of her words
Molly sat blankiy regarding her. Had
she spoken In sorrow her tender heart
would have melted toward her nj 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 rcpulscd and kept Moll'c
silent. while. before she could think
OF anything suitable. TO say. madame
had recovered herself and had sus-
gcstcd that she take OF her outdoor
garments.
Like a Girl In a dream she followed
the tall. strong figure through hall
and passages that were the same. yet
different. and finally to room that
she did not recognize at all. where
houscmaid was unstrapping her
trunks. And this was her homccom-
ing. this was the way she returned
to her mothers house-a stranger
among strangers. where everything
was altered. where not even servant
who knew her remained. Dismissing
the maid. she threw herself down by
the bed, dark forcbodings and dread
weighing down her usually bright ma
turc. and dreary longing for the
mother with whom every spot in Chal-
font had been associated tearing at
her hcart-strings.
Poor little schoolgirl. She fought
down the choking feeling in her
throat with mingled pride and rcsolu-
ton. Colonel L'Estrangc's daughter
must not give way before strangers.
hut oh. 1t was hateful to think that
she was in the charge OF this Madame
pubois, Then she began to reflect
tina, she must make the best of 1t. and
certainly tears would not help her, so
she buried her head In the white auiit
and prayed for strength to forgive
her enemies and think no evil.
what are you DOING" demanded
an imperious voice suddenly.
MoIIie was so startled that she
sprang up. aud. turning round. beheid
n 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-nke'
her expression old and cunning; but
Mollie noticed with relief that she
bore little resemblance to Mr.. bar
lowe. and masses of naNen curls' so
| fair "A to be almost white, softened
the little face.
For n minute the sisters regarded
each other gravely. Mollie's beantifni
ii, ,,d white face had flushed
brightly. her sweet gray eyes were
axed wistfuily on the child. but the
latter was quite composed: her thin
,ips we're pressed together as she cool
~ surveyed her half-sister from her
sunny brown head to her dainty t"o,.
..,,r.il Entc do Nnll remember NE!