New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-11

sank within me.
1t was a lovely morning in May. but I sat
like a stone before the old fashioned secretary.
unconscious of the beauty OF the outside world.
L stared from the windows without seeing the
stretch OF fresh, green meadows. the blue waters
sparkling in the sunshine. or the spray OF apple
blossoms tapping gayly against the pane
saw only a mountain OF debt. and realized. with
a sharp pain at my heart that for the last
four years we had lived upon charity. 1 knew
that had my father lived he would have paid in
full, but-did his creditors understand? firm
knock at the door startled me TO my feet. and
1 turned to face the chief among them our
landlord, Mr.. Welborn.
They were his unpaid bills that still held in
my hand He saw them. and. taking them from
me. vanished with them into the kitchen. I
followed in time TO them thrust into the
stove Refusing to listen to my remonstrances.
to my eager assurances that had money with
which 10 pay my debts-Nemesis remained to
me--he insisted that I should make my home
under his roof until fit TO leave the island
1t was noon when he left me I went 10 the
barnyard to feed the poultry. my heart almost
light again. through the fresh courage instilled
by the splendid generosity Of this kind friend
But where might I find a purchaser for the
ring? The crisp seabreeze blowing back my
hair. the soft May sunshine the sweet May
this difficulty 1t was hard TO puzzle my brains,
in the sudden reaction that had come with the
knowledge OF the worlds kindness
tossed a handful OF corn into the air for my
doves The chickens rushing pellmeu from
every direction, crowded about my feet, scolding
pushing. gobbling-a greedy lot! The pigeons
appearing less because Of their beauty,
flashed and whirled about IN the sunshine.
alighting now on my shoulders. my out
stretched arm with soft rustic of furling wings
Suddenly heard STEP and. glancing around
saw town-bred man, of easy carriage stand
ing by the fence. He was watching my doves
with evident admiration. but when I turned.
took off his hat and entered the yard.
Miss Derohan?''
bowed
I am Richard Thorpe. junior partner in the
firm of Beverley & Thorpe" said the stranger.
smiling pleasantly that I forgot to think
him plain looking
bowed again and he looked triie en-
barrassed. had been expected to know about
him and his firm. saw. Since this failed he
tried again.
'I come from your cousin Mrs spuyten.'
From Mrs. Spuyten?" echoed as led the
way into the house. But fear you have made
a mistake, Mr.. Thorpe I don't know Mrs.
Spuyten and I have no cousins"
The situation had grown corical. Mr. Thorpe
laughed. but ruefully; then said. May ask If
you not the daughter Of the late Charles
Derohan?"
bowed
Then, I am sorry to say, Mrs. Cornelia De-
rohan Spuyten is most certainly your cousin,
and I, equally certainly. must deliver a most
unpleasant message-one was very unwilling
to have anything TO do with. But on junior
partners falls the dirty work"
Tell me Of Mrs Spuyten first I said. trying
to make matters easier.
Then learned that my grandfather had taken
a poor orphaned niece to live with him. but,
when he died. had failed to provide for her.
My generous father had at once settled a large
sum of money upon her, that she might be quite
independent She had not been grateful. but
had quarrelled with him, and Mr.. Thorpe at last
gave me to understand that this was because
Of sighted affection. COrnelia Derohan had
loved her handsome young cousin-eight years
her junior-and her love had not been returned.
Later she had married a rich widower. Mr..
Spuyten who had died a few years before my
mother Mrs Spuyten, so Mr. Thorpe limited,
again hoped to gain my fathers affection. but
failed. She lived in New-York with her two
stepdaughters, and had sent Mr.. Thorpe to in
vite me to spend a week with her-to tell me
that she had obtained a position for me, as
housekeeper and companion, in a wealthy
family, and to hand over to check for
$780,
When Mr. Thorpe had placed the slip OF paper
in my unwilling fingers silence fell between
US which lasted a long time. He stood by the
western window. staring into the orchard an
uninviting spot in spite of it's gay blossoms
A stout pig with a cOntemplative eye. it's feet
buried in dank earth luxuriously rubbed its
stda AGAINST the rough bark Of a tree, its fellow
pigs roofing and grunting hard by. 1 envied
them as I fought my pride down inch by inch.
They need not accept favors from a stranger
with regard TO that old pig Mr.. Thorpe be-
gan.
''Pig?" interrupted
..I beg YOUR pardon. I said. Mrs. Spuyten."
I smiled.
.eweu. never mind if I did say pig. the name
sri+s her If YOU should decide to visit her
and all that" waving his hand vaguely. please
remember that she owes you a lot of money
7 shook my head. What is given is given"
ct don't see it in that light. Miss Derohan- I
wish. before you decide upon anything. you'd
consult your legal adviser
81 have none"
Mr. Thorpe's face flushed as he said. eagerly
yet a trihe shyly. Il wish you would accept my
services, Miss Derohan-"
LAS adviser?"
yes. and lawyer-an that sort of thing I'm
said to understand my business pretty we'll.
Won't you give try?"
liked MI Thorpe's frank manner and honest
face He looked good. as well clever. Mr.
WeIborn was as ignorant of business matters as
I yet needed advice. Should I trust this young
man? I wished to very much. and recollected
that. whatever my decision. alone should be
involved. II only he were elderly.