Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-03-02

ment flew open which she did not re- member ever to have seen before. She must have touched secret spring which opened it.
 With eager fingers she examined the contents of the drawer. A portrait of her mother was the first thing she saw, and she caught 1t to her lips with pas sionate tenderness. That should go to the city with her, too-next to her heart. A paper lay beneath the picture "a legal-looking paper. The figures ''s1 ,000" caught her eye, and she glanced cautiously over the document. It was the lost Quit-claim deed to the farm, and recited that in consideration of the sum of $1,000 advanced to Richard Martin and his wife, all interest, right and title in the homestead, so far as Mrs. Martin was concerned as the sister of Elizabeth Pepperell, 'Bella's mother, was transferred to the said Elizabeth Pep- perell, her heirs and assigns forever. Bella was not learned in the law, but she grasped enough of the situation to know that she had been made a house. hold drudge for years on the farm which belonged to her brother, her father, if he lived, and herself, as the heirs and as- signs of Elizabeth Pepperell.
 Down in the parlor the company" had arrived for the Thanksgiving dinner which, despite poverty and privation, was always feature of the day. Squire Elkins and his wife were the guests, and the squire, with many apologies, had brought with him two strangers from I,s~ Martins two daughters, arrayed in their country flnery, were simpering on the sofa. Mir Martin sat in the best rocker, while Mrs. Martin, in her best" pro- tected by an enormous gingham apron, bobbed, red-faced and Mustered" be- tween the parlor and the kitchen.
 MT Morton and his son were inter- ested in the new railroad, and the squire informed MT. Martin aside that he could sell one strip for enoug'~to clear all the rest and leave snug margin for inn provements.
 But the Mortons did not seem to be in much of a hurry to talk business. They seemed ill 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?''
 "Only my niece" was the stiff reply. She's goin to wait on the table. She's upstairs now, but believe she is goin' to the city to-day or tomorrow to stay" 3.>
 Suddenly little figure, clad in neat black dress. with hair sadly disarranged and little face blazing with indigna- ton, stood in the doorway, confronting Mrs Martin, with a paper which she held menacingly toward her.
 "I want my house!"
 That was all she could say. and she re- peated 1t again and again: II want my house! It's mine, and you know it! You've kept it from me all these years, and want it!" z.
 Then she noticed the two strangers for the first time, and drew back.
 What does the girl mean?" asked Mrs. Martin. with weak attempt at re- taining her dignity. But one glance at the document which the girl held out was enough.
 
 ness struggling in his face. o
 You won't turn us out, will you, 'Bella?" ;sobbed Mrs. Martin. "I know I hain't treated you right, but I'll do bet ter Indeed, wil1.''
 MT. Morton stepped forward and his son stood beside him. ....t
 We'll give you another chance, Ma tilda," he said, Jack and Bella and l." Bella took swift step toward him, while Squire Elkins and his wife beamed with satisfaction.
 Don't you know me, Matilda and Dick?" asked Mr. Morton. "T am James turned to her and held out his arms. But Jack already had her in a strong pair of his own.
 My father?" exclaimed Bella, won- deringly, 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 I can. I never knew I had a daughter until I wandered out to the Klondike, and, in the providence of God, found my son. You were born after
 
 after years of wandering and dissipation came to myself. Your mother was dead, my son was in the far west, and I did not know that you existed until I found Jack. Then we planned this little surprise on you. We have enough for all three of us, and you can live wherever you want to-. I believe, however, your aunt said you intended going to the city,
 Mr. Martin cast an appealing look at his niece, and 'Bellas father and brother never knew of all those years of suffering and abuse.
 T want to keep the old place." said Bella, smiling through her tears. "I want to keep ito give it away again"
 Mrs. Martin understood, and it was the last straw. She was crying like child. crying for joy and shame and re- pentance.
 Then they had dinner-such dinner as the old farm had not had for many a