The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-30
Our Daily $bort Story

mold drudge for years on tho farm which ueionged to her brother her father. 1T ne hved and herself, as the heirs and a5- signs Of Elizabeth Pepperell. town in the parlor the company had arrived for the Thanksgiving dinner Mnicn' despite poverty and privation, was aiWays feature of the day. Squire El- kins and his wife were the guests. and the squire. with many apologies, had brought with him two strangers from the cIty, MT. Morton and his son. Mrs. Martins two daughters. arrayed in their country hnery, were simpering on the sofa MT. Martin sat in the best rocker, wmie Mrs. Martin, in her best" pro- tected by an enormous gingham apron, pobbed. red-faced and Mustered" be- tween the parlor and the kitchen.
 MT. Morton and his son were interested m the new railroad, and the squire in 'ormed Mir. Martin aside that he could sell one strig for enough to clear all the rest and leave a snug margin for i'm provemeits.
 But the Mortons did not seem to be in seemed i'll at ease, and kept glancing to- ward the door. as though they expected some one. At last, as Mrs. Martin seated herself for a moment, the younger man asked. abruptly:
 Are there any more in your family, Mrs. Martin?'
 "Oniy my niece." was the stiff reply. Shes goin' to wait on the table. She's upstairs now. but believe she is goin' to the city today or tomorrow to stay"
 Suddenly little figure, clad in a neat black dress with hair sadly disarranged and little face blazing with indignation. stood In the doorway, confronting Mrs. Martin, with paper which she held men acingly toward her.
 T want my house..
 That was all she could say, and she re- peated it again and again: "I want my house! It's mine. and you know 1t! You've kept it from me all these years, and I want it!''
 Then she noticed the two strangers for the first time. and drew back.
 What does the girl mean?" asked Mrs. Martin. with a weak attempt at retaining her dignity. But one glance at the docu- ment which the girl held out was enough.
 Mir. Morton had risen. pride and fond ness struggling in his face.
 You won't turn us out, will you, Bella ?3 sobbed Mrs. Martin. "I know I hain't treated you right, but I'll do better. Indeed, will"
 MT Morton stepped forward and his son stood beside him.
 Well give you another chance, Matil da." he said. Jack and Bella and L."
 Bella took a swift step toward him, while Squire Elkins and his wife beamed with satisfaction.
 Don't you know me, Matilda and Dick?' asked MT. Morton. "I am James and your father, Bella" And he turn ed to her and held out his arms. But Jack already had her in a strong pair of his own.
 My father?" exclaimed Bella, wonder ingiy, as she freed herself. My father? Why-have-you-''
 Don't reproach me. child," was the reply. T cannot undo the wrong did but I will do all can. never knew I had a daughter until wandered out to the Klondike. and. in the providence of God, found my son. You were born after -l-left. dropped my last name. and after years of wandering and dissipation I came to myself. Your mother was dead my son was in tho far West. and I did not know that You existed until I found Jack. Then we planned this little sur prise on you. We have enough for all three of us. and you can live wherever you want to. I believe, however, yout aunt said you intended going to the city" MT. Martin cast an appealing look at his niece, and 'Bella's father and brother never knew of all those years of suffer- ing and abuse.
 T want to keep the old place. said Bella, smiling through her tears. "I want to keep tito give 1t away again.
 Mrs. Martin understood. and 1t was the last straw. She was crying like child, crying of joy and shame and repentance
 Then they had dinner-such dinner as the old farm had not had for many A long day. And Bella waited on the table. after all.
 You needn't, Bella" said Mrs. Martin humbly. But Bella had insisted. very gently.
 They all went to the city the next dav and arranged the legal preliminaries re- garding the transfer of the farm. It was Joe's first case. and he was mirhtIIw proud of it. Of course he "won" tai. most as easily as he won a case of "pIead- ing four years later. He has a big office noW-and-and-