The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1904-08-05

OF eyes which had accidentally Aalien
into her hands. II explained what had
puzzled her sOrely for many years
why neither OF her parents had ever
been TO see her OF had sent for her 10
come TO them II told Of a blaze OF
Jealous anger on the part OF her moth
or aroused by some incidents IN the
husbands Office. and a naughty reiusal
10 explain on his part. II Informed her
Of the separation with agreement on
both sides that neither was to see the
daughter and to keep from her the
knowledge OF their separation.
The fugitive letter explained. too, the
circumstances which had aroused the
mothers suspicion-a pure matter ol
business with client the nature OF
which the husband could not In honor
divulge at the time
Il will seek them out and reunite
them" she exclaimed, crushing the let
ter in her hand.
Then che had hastily made up
package Of a few things necessary Tor
a short Journey, gotten all the money
she dared ask for on the pretense OF
desiring to make gift to some chari-
table purpose, and quietly slipped
away.
The letter had mentioned the name
Of a certain lawyer. Hiram Stapleton'
in the great city nearby, IN whose
hands funds had been left for her care.
She would 90 straight to him and. OF
course. he would know where her faith
or and mother were He would direct
her. The rest would be easy, she was
sure
The ride to the city in the rushing
cars had been a great delight TO her.
She was bewlldered and somewhat
frightened at the noise and rush and
crowds in the city. but clung brayely
to the address Of Hiram Stapleton. The
elevator had startled her and the great
Office with its clicking typewriters and
| luxurious somber furnishings, and
mysterious private Offices and rows Of
massive books and clerks and tele-
phones filed her with awe. but she
D
olung TO her plan tenaclously.
When the boy brought Hiram Staple
ton a card upon which was written
"Mirla Lansing" he looked puzzled,
then alarmed.
Send her IN" he directed.
So Marian Lansing was ushercd into
the private Office and told the stern
faced old lawyer Of her plans and pur-
poses.
MY dear girl" he exclaimed in
alarm, when she had finished. 1T is
impossible. worse than quixotic You
must not think Of such a thing. The
sisters were very careless 10 allow you
10 leave. shall look into II. A young
girl like you to be travelling about the
country alone especially in the city
II is scandalous. Let me see, how old
are your"
Seventeen" che replied. with spirit
"Quite old enough to see my mother
and father and explain things to them
Where are they? Oh. tell me where
they are7"
1T is impossible" replied the lawyer
again. THE agreement was plain thai
neither should see you until you were
21. am charged with your care, too
This is a very unhappy affair Yot
must return 70 the convent at once.
will 90 with you myself and take thii
matter up with the mother superior
Let me see. There is a train at 80
We have Just time to catch It. YoJ
must not DO such an indiscreet thin(
again"
With her heart full Of grief and an
ger. she accompanied him down th'
elevator and into tn carriage he sum
moned. On the way to the depot sh'
recovered her possession and renewed
her resolution to reunite her parents
She had made a mistake and fallen int
the hands OF the enemy. She must es
cape and readjust her plans. At tn
2 depot the lawyer went 10 the ticke
window to purchase the tickets. Ap
preciating her opportunity she darte'
out Of the door and into an electri
street car about to start Looking
back she laughed to see Hiram Staple
ton rush out Of the door Of the statiol
and look wildly in every direction.
Realizing her ignorance OF the cit
she resolved 10 ask a policeman wher
she could safely seek shelter for IN
I night. Realizing also the danger o
, pursuit. she changed her name and In
b vented story about coming to the eft
10 seek employment She was directe
10 a very decent place. where lodgin
was secured for a nominal price an
then she figured out new campaign
She knew the suburb where her parent
: had formerly lived. Thither she wen
on the following day and found the oil
home she remembered It was inhabit
ed by strangers. With the persistenc
Of desperation she inquired among tn
. nelahbors, carefully conceallng he
identity. What she learned filled he
e with concern. Gilbert Lansing. he
father. was supposed TO be travelling !
the orient. Mrs. Lansing was some
where in the south. nobody knew e1
, actly where.
! Marian returned TO the lodging hous
I In despair She was baked and all be
cause that horrid ogre Of lawyer re
! fused to help her Her soul rose In re
volt against him. Then she thought q
the future. A great terror seized he
! as she thought OF returning TO the con
vent She knew she was disgraoed for
ever In the eyes Of the sisters and SD
e knew the many ways she would b
made 10 feel their displeasure. SO sh
/ drifted along for few days, not know
ing what 10 do Then she realized wit
a shock that her money was almost e1
haustsd. She thought Of going to sta