The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1905-05-04

Il am such poor. nsrveless erea-
ture-so utterly destitute OF all pres
ence OF mind-that l could only crouch
In corner and sob with terror"
After a drive. which seemed to her
excited fancy to endure for hours they
stopped before a tall iron gate. which,
after time. was opened from within.
They drove over u long. winding walk.
at the end of which was a large gloomy
looking house. before which the vehicle
stopped Then. assisted by Montgomery.
she was suffered TO alight. A female
servant conducted her to the apartment
in which found her.
"She was very kind TO me-" Clara
went on. land assured me over and over
again that no harm would be done TO
me-that l was among friends. and
whatever | liked TO ask for I should
have, but that she could not permit me 10
leave that room. But no entreaty could
wiring from her who her employer was.
| have been here now nearly a fortnight
everything | have expressed wish for
has been given me. and | was growing
quite reconciled TO my position. for |
can be content in any place where ! am
treated kindly; but this evening just as
was watching the great red sun sink
behind the trees. heard my door Open.
and upon looking round | saw"
She buried her face in her hands.
seemingly unable to proceed. knew
perfectly well whom she had seen. al
though asked the question.
Those terrible eyesi' she answered.
sinking her voice TO whisper.
BY the aid OF words | had heard spck-
~, faxxs l.f 1 70.
derstand il all now. but only dimly.
asked her what she meant
.Ah. have never told you," shet said.
with shudder. Il will tell you now.
that You may understand my fearful POI
sition. and that you may take me away
from it,
She knelt down at my feet. and nestled
close TO me as she told her story. speak
ing in a subdued voice.
Il was brought up by a dear. kind /
grandfather. the only friend ever knew;
for my father. who was an officer. died /
in India. when was very young. and /
my mother followed him within less than
a year. She was my grandfather's young
est and favorite daughter; and. after
her death. he seemed to have trans
ferred all his affection TO me. for he lit
orally dotted upon me. | had cousin
who was much-much older than my
self. but, like myself. an orphan
never liked him-or. should rather say.
was always frightened OF him: yet ev-
erybody called him handsome. especially
all the women. Until my mother brought
me home. little girl. from India. he was
the favorite nephew. aud was supposed
to be the heir TO all his grandfather's
wealth. John RodweIl hated me. and
showed il. too, and that turned the old
gentleman against him When | was
about thirteen. grandfather made fresh
will; and as he was never content TO
have me a moment from his side. il was
dictated TO the lawyer in my presence.
In it | was named heiress to all he pos
'essed. with the exception OF an annu-
ty to John. and the former will. by
which John would have inherited all his
wealth. was destroyed | was very much
roubled when | heard this: and | told I
how much happier should I
,e il he would let things remain as they I
rere. as | was certain Cousin John ,
would know better what to do with the ,
money than | should ,
"Well, in some way or other Cousin
Iohn found out that new will had
een made. and that | was present at .
he time. Once or twice he put some '
uestions to me in an off-hand kind Of Il
manner as to its contents: but mindful a
I the strict injunctions | had received. A
was very cautious. and finding that he :
ould elicit nothing from me. he gave up
he attempt But he became a more
reQuent visitor to u.s. He also took .
reat pains to ingratiate himself into
good graces. and not I'M ID
uccessfully. L
ITO be continued, b