Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-03-23

wildly through the dusty pigeon holes
and drawers, when suddenly compart-
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 it to her lips with pas
slonate 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
81, 0o0' caught her eye, and she glanced
curiously over the document.
1t was the lost quit-claim deed to the
farm, and recited that in consideration
of the sum of 81 900 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 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
the city, Mr. Morton and his son. Mrs.
Martins two daughters, arrayed in their
country tinery, were simpering on the
sofa. Mr.. Martin sat in the best rocker,
while Mrs. Martin, in her best" pro-
tected by an enormous bingham apron,
bobbed, red-faced and "hustered," be-
tween the parlor and the kitchen.
Mr.. Morton and his son were inter-
ested in the new railroad, and the Squire
informed Mr.. Martin aside that he could
sell one strip for enough to clear all the
rest and leave a snug margin for i'm
provements.
But the Mortons did not seem to be in
much of hurry to talk business. They
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 moment, the younger man
asked, abruptly:
Are there any more in your family,
Mrs. Martin?",
"Only my niece" was the stiff reply.
shes goin' to wait on the table She't
upstairs now, but believe she is goin'
to the city to-day or tomorrow tc
stay"
Suddenly little figure, clad in a neat
black dress, with hair sadly disarrange6
and little face blazing with indignar
ton, stood in the doorway, confronting
Mrs. Martin, with a paper which she
held menacingly toward her.
Il want my housed"
That was all she could say, and she re-
peated it 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,"
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 re-
tanning her dignity. But one glance al
the document which the girl held GU;
was enough.
Mr.. Morton had risen, pride and fond
ness struggling in his face.
"You won't turn us out, will you
'Bella?" sobbed Mrs Martin. II know
hain't treated you right, but I'll do bet
ter. Indeed, will"
Mr.. Morton stepped forward and his
son stood beside him.
We'll give you another chance, Ma
tilda," he said, Jack and Bella and t.
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 II am James
and your father, Bella And he
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. II cannot undo the wrong did
but will do all can. never knew |
had daughter until wandered out to
the Klondike, and, in the providence OF
God, found my son. You were born after
-I-left. dropped my last name, and
after years of wandering and dissipation
I came to myself. Your mother was
dead, my son was in the far west, and I
did not know that you existed until l
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. believe, however, your
aunt said you intended going to the
CITY,"
Mr.. Martin cast an appealing look at
Ills niece, and 'Bella's father and
brother never knew of all those years OF
suffering and abuse.
Il want to keep the old place." said
Bella, smiling through her tears. II
want to keep ito give it away again. "
Mrs. Martin understood, and it was
the last straw. She was crying like a
child, crying. for joy and shame and re-
pentance.
Then they had dinner-such q 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, Mar
tin, humbly. But Bella had insisted.
very gently.
They all went to the city the next day