Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-08-15
CHAPTER XVII.

Mrs. Fulton was first to speak
"When you are through playing the
piano, you can go on with your work, ,"
she said coldly.
Faith stopped and picked up the dust
ing cloth and then rose to her feet
II 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 60 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.
1T is not your place to touch the
piano." continued Mrs. Fulton, who
was angry. "You can leave it alone
after this"
"Motherw Alice spoke up in tone
of timid remonstrance. "There has
been no harm done. has there? She
plays better than ! do. l never knew
before how that march ought to
sound"
you're right about that" said the
young man. in big, hearty voice. 1T
was finely done. and I've heard 1t play.
ed by Sousa's band too"
Faith colored to her hair at the unex-
pected 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 out Of the parlor without
having said a word. She was glad
when she reached the kitchen that she
had controlled herself, but the effort
not to say something in defense, to e1.
cuse her action, cost her tremendous
struggle. AS she prepared the midday
meal, she choked several times with q
dry sob as she realized that she must
not try to be anything but hired girl
while employed In that capacity.
This isn't the work I ought t" do"
she said to herself again and again,
"but ! am doing the best l can.
wouldn't have touched the piano If l
hadn't forgotten myself at the sight OF
the music. If can get anything else
to do won't stay here. But what can
/ do. unless give up everything and
60 home? I won't do that until have
to-"
Then she quieted her excitement by
recalling the home circle. Her fathers
face came up before her, and she said:
II 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 her
sharply several times, but apparently
found nothing in the girls face to all.
noy 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
stare, but it embarrassed Faith some
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-
termined to have another look at the
picture on State street If 1t were still
there. And if 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 q few minutes when q converse
ton occurred in the parlor which
would have interested her intensely if
she could have heard it
The young man, Malcom, had been i'll
at ease all through the lunchtime.
When it was over, he had gone into the
library, where he had asked leave to
write letter. He was evidently a
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 we'll.
81 am sorry that Mr.. Fulton did not
come out this noon, Mr.. Stanley" said
Mrs. Fulton, who seemed anxious to
please him. 81 am sure lie must have
been unavoidably detained in the city.
He telephoned out in the early part Of
the forenoon that he would try to meet
you here. know he wanted to see
you before you go west"
"Yes. 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
out. Alice went over to the piano and
opened it. She sat down and played a
few bars Of the march. Often when
she was feeling miserable little mu-
sic would relieve her.
The sound Of the piano reused NAL
com Stanley. He came back to the mid
die Of the room. and, taking seat
near Mrs. Fulton, he said with some
emphasis, as If he had been making
up his mind to a course:
Mrs. Fulton. where does your-girl-
the girl who waited on the table, who
was playing the piano-where did She
come from? What Is her name?