The Elbert County tribune., 1903-04-30
CHAPTER II.


Harold, who was fond OF quaint
characters. found himself smiling.
did you know my brother-in-iaw! !!
he asked. by way OF drawing out MS
interlocutor.
-Oh. yes: every one knew the pro-
fessor." was the answer. with JUDI
cial deliberation- He was q nne
man. the professor was; a trine
fighty in his notions. according TO my
flights. and not always knowing as TO
which side his bread was buttered;
but rea. Christian gentleman. and
taking points from no one in his bnsi-
ness. too. though he did plank out
good many dollars In them patents OF
his. that never showed him no pront.
and that would ha' come in handy
low. l reckon, for them that's left
That's fine girl of his; she favors
her father. too Going TO stop longf'
The driver as he asked this ques-
tion drew up before a medium-sized
house of old-fashioned pattern. gabled
and of weather-beaten shingle color.
with vegetable garden on one side.
Only n few hours probably. Is
this the placer"
mat Wnere ne INtus BIT, efei
tlnce he come here" said the man,
muffiing his speech again. by way OF
respect to the departed.
Harold Stagg passed through the
little gate. and strobe with busi-
ness-like step to the door, on which
he sounded vigorously with the
knocker that took the place Of bell
After moment it was opened by u
small boy who looked at him doubt
fully. as though he suspected who the
visitor might be. but did not dare to
make the first advances.
Il take 1t you must be Harold Stagg
Baldwin" said the owner of the first
two-thirds of the name.
Yes, SIR" said the lad, with glad.
sheepish smile.
We'll. I'm your uncle Harold" he
| said. patting him on the head. 81
suppose your sister got my tele-
| gram?"
Yes. sir. She's expecting you"
Whereupon his namesake seized
the handle of the valise. by way of
evincing hospitality and hiding en-
barrassment at the same time. and
began pulling 1t into the entry.
As Harold Stagg followed him. a
larger boy and tall. slim young
woman advanced from the threshold
OF an adjoining room.
"Ah, my dears," he said, grasping
Silas by the hand and embracing his
niece. I'm glad to be with you."
will you walk in. uncle" said Flea
nor. ushering him into the room
from which she had come.
1t was a cosy little apartment; its
furniture and stuffs. though slightly
worn and slightly old-fashioned. were
tasteful. II suppose you are ready
for breakfast" she added. 1T will be
ready In a moment"
Yes, l am a little hungry"
Harold spoke cheerfully. An atmos.
sphere of grief was instinctively op-
nressive to him. Moreover, he felt
that he ought to try to eniiven the
~an-visaged family. Poor little girl.
How pale and sad she looked. with
dark places under her eyes, that told
of heart-ache and loss of sleep, She
vas pretty, to, distinctly pretty, with
a delicate, pensive style of face that
matched well her willowy figure, but
she appeared far from strong. He
wondered what Emma would think OF
her. There was not trace of en-
barrassment in her manner, as she
did the hospitalities of the breakfast
room, offering him his choice of tea
or coffee. and providing for his other
needs with a serious composure that
was astonishing to him, from its lack
| OF consciousness. and yet was in no
respect girlish. He could scarcely be-
lieve, until he convinced himself by
| inquiry. that she was but eighteen.
Early contact with the responsible
ties OF life had developed her in GER
tain ways beyond her years. and yet
| left her a child in many respects,
How would she and Emma get on?
What would Emma think of her?
Il have come out here, you know,
to take you all back with me to New
York" said Harold. presently, getting
10 the point at once, as was his wont.
Il is your aunt's wish and mine"
he added, breaking the silence that
followed his announcement
The two boys looked at their sister
In doubtful. bewildered sort OF way
She was evidently thinking.
THAT would be very pleasant
uncle, AID It is very kind OF you to
suggest It; but as we have to support
ourselves. wouldn't II be wiser Tor
us to begin here at once where we
are known" she said, in her calm,
dispassionate tone. You see, papa
left very little property-nothing, ex-
cept his patents and this house,
which is mortgaged for half what It
is worth; SO that we have no money
10 live on Papa talked II all over
with me as well as he could, the