Middletown transcript., 1904-02-20

Mother could only have been about her
age. But it was for such little time
that mother took her place; was only
six months old when she died. But ]
don't think she ever forgave us, or father
for marrying again. Perhaps she forgave
him when he died, but she never forgave
us.
You will find her very much changed,
very much softened, said Anthony eager.
ly. Her illness did that.
1 shall always be afraid of her, Stella
answered, shaking her head. But she
did seem anxious that I should come
home when I wrote to tell her that !
wanted to. I must say that OF her. You
know aunt Rachel made me promise be-
fore she died that would live with aunt
Lydia for time? have lived there for
year, but think we are all getting tired
Of it. The sparkling look had come back
to the face which she turned to him.
Should you say that I was a very difficult
person to live with, Mr.. West?
His look made the color fly into her
cheeks, though she would not turn her
eyes aside. But he answered gravely-
No-I should not say SO.
Belle and Harriet find me impossible.
They are aunt Lydia's daughters, you
know. They think that my education
has been lamentably neglected, and they
wanted me to join the schoolroom party.
But it was 80 dull in the schoolroom!
You did not let them keep you there?
asked Anthony.
A little smile crept round Stella's lips
smile full Of mischief.
No-I was a successful rebel. But
some victories cost us dear. I thought
it better to beat retreat from the field
of battle for time. All, there is the
Grange! I love the old place. 1t has
always beed home to me.
They had reached the top of the hill,
and wide valley lay below them. It
was richly wooded, aud, just where the
ground began to slope upwards to the
opposite hill, a glimpse could be caught
of an old gray house with turret at one
end of it and a long gabled roof. A half
sad, half-tender look came into Stella's
eyes as she caught sight of it. 1t was not
very happy childhood that che had
spent there. Her father had lived almost
entirely in his own rooms for some years
before his death, and she had hardly ever
seen him. And, though her step-sister
Molly had been the kindest and most in
dulgent Of mortals, both she and Stella
had always been very much in awe of
their elder sister Catharine. For Cathar-
inc was more than fifteen years older
than Molly. Stella's happiest hours had
been spent in the woods and on the
moors. Still, the Grange had always
been home to her in far more real sense
than aunt RachePs charming house in
Kensington had ever been.
There was no lodge at the gates, and
the drive to the house was a short one.
In very few minutes they had passed
out of the shadow of the trees, and a tall
slim figure could be seen standing on the
gravel walk before the drawing-room
window.
Oh, there is Molly! Stella cried, and
the tears rushed into her eyes, she hardly
knew why. She flung the reins to An
thony and sprang out. Molly came
quickly across the lawn to meet her.
Stella, my darling, l wanted to be at
the station, but Catharine was so i'll! Ny
dear-my dear, you have come back to
US!
She folded Stella in close embrace,
and then held her away, looking down
at her with eyes that brimmed over with
tears. She was much taller than Stella
tall and very slim. She had one Of those
delicate expressive faces that gain in
beauty as the years 60 by.
Oh, Molly, have been SO homesick
for you! Stella cried, drawing long
breath. 1 never knew it, but l have
been wanting you all the time. It is
sweet-sweet to see you againl
And I have wanted you, my Stella,
Molly said. And then, as if she could
not speak of those long years Of separa-
ton, she hurried on, trying to hide the
culver in her voice. But you have come
back to US a woman! ! have lost my
little grill
Not bit of it! exclaimed Stella eagerly
l am not grown up. l don't want to be-
| am your little girl come back for long.
long holiday, Molly-that is, if Cathar-
inc
My dear, she wants you to stay with
us, Molly broke in, with quick anxious
look at the house. Just before your let
ter came she talked of writing to you.
I wish But do not let us speak OF it.
1t was not all Catharine's doing, Stella.
Your aunt wanted you altogether.
l know-I know Stella hastened to
answer. And she was very good TO me,
Molly. I had everything that she could
give me. She spoiled me, as aunt Lydia
has often told me since have lived with
her. But l wanted you. And l could
never even speak of you. 1t was the
only thing that made aunt angry with
me. And she made me promise that l
would 60 to aunt Lydia's for year. l |
think she knew that / should want to
come home if Catharine would have me.
Molly's slender fingers frightened their |
clasp. She was holding both Stella's |
hands, and her eyes seemed as if they |
could not leave her face.
You have not been very happy at Mrs.
Harrington's, I'm afraid, my darling.
A flash OF merriment seemed to sparkle |
for moment over Stella's face.
Oh, l amused myself! she said. And |
then her tone grew soft again. But am
glad to be here, Molly. And you are
sure that Catharine is glad to have me2
am quite sure, dear. But come in
now. ] will take You up to your room.
will stay to tea with us, and you