Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-05-10
Cind0pGlla'S Reward.
o@~~
BY Hannah 8. Mackenzie.

usual noseless way, and sat down on
footstool before the fire. embracing
her knees with her hands. Elpie's
task-mistresses were all out at some
social function, and Elpie was quite
alone and idle for once in her poor
little life.
What castles, fair and grand, did the
big brown eyes see in those glowing
embers? Who can say? THE
thoughts of youth are long, long
thoughts" and, much as her task-mis-
tresses might try to crush the youth
and romance out of Elpie, they could
not quite succeed. But presently the
big eyes grew smaller, Illpie's little
brown head began to nod, and she fell
sound asleep.
What wakened her? Elpie did not
know; but suddenly with a great start
and shiver, she started up to find the
fire burning very low and the room al
most in complete darkness. She sat
quite still, her heart throbbing so vio-
lently she was quite sure some one in
the room must hear it. And there was
some one in the room. dark figure
her.
Wild thoughts of burglars and mid
night assassins rushed through Elpies
mind; but she was brave little crea-
ture, and she did not scream. The SER
wants were down stairs in the kitchen,
| and she was the only living being in
the house besides. 1t came into her
mind that she must stealthily reach
forward to the bell and ring; but. just
as she was moving, the figure turned.
He advanced swiftly towards her. and,
though Elpie tried to speak out brave
ly and ask him what he wanted, she
could not; her tongue seemed to cleave
to the roof of her mouth.
"Hush!" said the man, and his voice
sounded quite pleasant and friendly
Don't scream, please. I'm not a bur-
glar though my mode of entrance may
seem like that of one. The truth is, |
i came through a window down
stairs and made my way up here"
| Elpie could see him indistinctly He
was a young man, well dressed, and
the face looking down at her was
frank and friendly
First tell me who you are? You
can't be one of my"
I'm Elpie-that is, I am Elspeth
Grey. Mr.. Kemp was my mothers
cousin, and he took me to live with
him when my father died; and since
Mr.. Kemp died | have stayed with Mrs.
Kemp and her daughters and helped
| them"
Helped them? How?"
"Oh, with dresses, and-and ether
| things" faltered Elpie, frightened by
! the fierceness of his tone
well, they are all out tonight,
aren't they? and the servants are en-
! joying themselves down stairs. so we
needn't be frightened. l am going to
| tell you a tremendous secret, little one.
But first, tell me, are those people kind
! to you? Do they treat you as one of
themselves? Do they give you plenty
of nice food, pretty clothing, amuse-
ments?"
"Julianna-Josephine isis nice
sometimes" faltered Elpie She was
| a loyal little soul, and anxious to hide
the faults of her relatives.
and Matilda-Jane, and the rest of
this well-principled household?" asked
the young man, satircally.
81 can't tell you any more" cried Ell
| pie, driven to bay, till l know who
you are"
"That's easily told, little one. I am
Mr.. Kemp's nephew therefore a kind
of cousin of yours" Elpie started and
turned pale. MY name is Norman
Kemp. My father founded Uncle
Johns business, and helped him to buy
this house on condition that it should
be left to me. When my uncle died
these infamous women stepped in and
took everything; and yet I know Uncle
John left a will in my favor. | have
been away; that is why | have not
come forward sooner. But Woods. the
lawyer, drew up the will, and | have
reason to suspect it is hidden some
where in this house, | shall not leave
here till l have found it. Now, are
| you going to show me the way to my
uncles library?"
Elpie indicated it in fear and trem-
bling and returned to her seat. In
about a quarter OF an hour Norman
| Kemp re-entered flushed and excited.
81 have found it! There's nothing
like determination, little cousin Con-
cealed-where do you think? In the flap
of the cover of the old family Bible. OF
course, Mrs. Kemp will say she knew
nothing of it." He began toread it, then
uttered an exclamation. and here's
mention of you. little one. And where
as, | have undertaken to provide for
my cousins child, Elspeth Grey l do
hereby bequeath to the said Elspeth
Grey the sum of 100000, to be kept in
trust by my wife until the aforesaid
Elspeth shall reach the age 49, How
old are you, Elpie?"
81 was is in July" faltered Elpie.
"Then you can claim your rights at
once I shall see after your claims as
well as my own. Now | am going. lit-