Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-06-18
The Blazed
Trail q = $ ; ;s$$:'
conxriaht 1902. by Edward White
Copyriuht 1902, by Stewart Edward White

QulNOIlc lucas VI Idluly uouoA WCAS a.
tackled did he bestir himself.
Il am going to Uncle Amos" she re-
piled distinctly.
"Whaty asked Thorpe incredulously
For answer she pointed to a letter ly-
ing on the table. Thorpe took it and
read:
MY Dear Niece-Both Mrs. Thorpe and
myself more than rejoice that time and
reflection have removed that, must con-
fess, natural prejudice which the unfor-
tunate family affair. to which I will not
allude, raised In your mind against us
AS we said long ago. our home is yours
when you may wish to make it SO. You
state your present readiness to come i'm
mediately. Unless you wire to the con-
trary we shall expect you next Tuesday
evening on the 440 train / shall be at
the Central station myself to meet you.
If your brother Is now with you l should
be pleased to see him also and will be
most happy to give him position with
the firm. Aft. your uncle,
AMOS THORPE.
New York, June 6, 1883.
On finishing the last paragraph the
reader crumpled the letter and threw
it into the CRATE.
II am sorry that you did that, Hell
en-" said he, "but don't blame you.
and it can't be helped. We won't need
to take advantage Of his kind offer
now"
II intend to do Sc, however" replied
the girl coldly.
what do you mean?'
II mean" she cried, that am sick
of waiting on your good pleasure.
waited and shaved and stood unbear-
able things for two years. did 1t
cheerfully, and in return don't get a
civil word, not decent explanation,
not even a--caress!" She fairly sobbed
out the last word. II can't stand it
any longer. have tried and tried and
tried, and then when I've come to you
for the littlest word of encouragement
you have told me was young and
ought to finish my education. You
haven't cent when 1t is question OF
what 1 want, but you raise money
quick enough when your Old family is
insulted Isn't it my family too? And
then YOU blame me because. after
waiting IL vain for two years for you
to do something, l start out to do the
best can for myself. I'm not OF age,
but you're not my guardian"
During this long speech Thorpe had
stood motionless, growing paler and
paler. Like most noble natures. wheE
absolutely in the right he was incapa-
BILE of defending himself against mis-
understandings.
You know that is not true, Helen"
he replied. almost sternly.
ut is true" she asseverated, "and
I'm through"
ITS little hard said Thorpe, pass
ing his hand YEARLY before his eyes.
..to work hard this way for years and
them
| She laughed with hard little note
of scorn.
Helen said Thorpe, with new ener-
gy, II forbid you to have anything to
do with Amos Thorpe. think he is a
scoundrel and sneak"
81 shall do as please" she replied,
crossing her hands behind her.
| Tharpe's eyes darkened.
1--WE have talked this over great
many tines he warned. "and you've
always agreed with me. Remember,
you owe something to the family"
Most Of the family seem to owe
something" she replied, with flip
| pant laugh. Pm sure I didn't choose
the family. II had I'd have picked
out better one"
s.You may take your choice, Helen"
t,e said formally. IF you go into the
household Of Amos Thorpe, If you de-
liberately prefer your comfort to your
honor, we will have nothing more in
common"
They faced each other with the cool,
deadly glance of the race, SO similar In
appearance, but SO unlike in nature.
II, too offer you home, such as it
is," repeated the man. Choose"
At the mention Of the home for which
means were SO quickly Forthcoming
when Thorpe, not she, considered 1t
needful the girls eyes flashed. She
stopped and dragged violently from be-
meath the bed fiat steamer trunk, the
! lid of which she threw open. A dress
lay on the bed. With fine gesture she
folded the garment and laid 1t in the
bottom Of the trunk. Then she knelt
and without another glance at her
brother standing rigid at the door be-
gan feverishly to arrange the folds.
The choice was made. He turned and
went out.
(To Be Continued.)