Middletown transcript., 1905-04-29
!. THAT GIRL AT THE COTTAGE !.
By PHIL ALLsANDER


speculations on her appearance at the
end of flowery table, her head ablaze
with diamonds, wedding ring upon hel
finger.
Eight chimes had pealed musically
from clock after clock in the great silent
house when Christian knocked at the
library door.
"Come in," said the eagle-eyed old
man VINO was dreaming over his wine.
A lamp stood in front of him and lis
harsh and finely-cut features shone in the
glow as if they were carved in marble.
Christian Earle entered. She walked
slowly and quietly to the bookslelves
with her head thrown back.
Il have come for book for Mrs. Law
ender," she said-she was still in the
semi gloom outside the mellow Iamplight
-"The Kings Own Cookery Book"
The man at the table wheeled round
in his chair. He was shaking like an
aspen leaf, and an oath broke from his
| lips as the violence of his movement set
his gout gnawing.
"Who is it?" he cried under his
breath. "Speak, woman Who are
you? Who are you? What do you
want %
Christian came slowly t. the side of
the table. She was wearing a simple
black frock Which emphasized the clear
pallor Of her face, and bunch OF white
roses was fastened at her waist. She
looked steadfastly at him.
II am your daughter, Christian Cope
land," she said in a clear voice, "and
have come for my mothers marriage
certificate"
The Squire's jaw dropped ; convul-
sive shudder ran through his great
shrunken frame. He tried to order her
to be gone, but the command was only a
whisper.
Christian kept her gaze on him, but
did not move she stood so still that she
might have been a statue.
II am not going to make a FUSS" she
said in the same even and passionless
voice. II am not going to ask you to
receive your daughter. have not come
to ask for love. want only justice. For
twenty-five years the woman who was
once your ward, and then your unac-
knowledged wife, bore the slurs and the
Sights of harsh and unkind world.
They broke her brave heart. But they
rolled, over me. am strong now-strong
enough to wrest my rights from an old
man who at eighty years of age is near
his grave. l want my mothers marriage
certificate. You were married abroad
where, / can't find out, and SO it is diff
cult for me to claim my rightful name in
that way; but l claim it from you. l
don't claim it before the worlds eyes,
but here in this quiet room where your
sins should rise up and cry aloud. Give
me my mothers marriage certificate, and
you will never hear of me again."
The old man had dropped his thin fine
hands upon the table and was muttering
to himself his face worked pitifully.
Let me 60 soon," the girl at his side
went on in her calm relentless voice, "for
the air of this place stiles me. But l
can't 60 without name. For years, long
years, | have waited and suffered. She
would not let me come while she was
alive"
The white head at the table suddenly |
sank forward and the hand fell heavily. |
LET me 60 !' the low voice urged with |
short-lived passion.
The Squire raised his head with an
effort /; his usually clear brain seemed to
be clouded by the shock, and his fingers
strayed in miserable uncertainty towards
The pocket of his waistcoat.
'It is not there ?" said the girl clearly.
Il took them from her." muttered the
man /; "she shouldn't have defied me SO
'ften. No Copeland was ever managed
oy woman did it to break her proud
'plrlt. If she didn't choose to come back
or it, twas her own look k-out-her own
ook-out, ell. Parsons? You know the
ale, you shamming old liar. | told it
'ou. 1t happened in Italy. She was
90 much of handful, and not worth
Ieeping when her fortune went smash
We both agreed. You know we did.
DON'T stand there grinning and denying,
'ut give it to the girl and let Ter get out
Il my sight. Left-hand inner drawer
library bureau"
Christians eyes went strenuously round
he room.
"Here ?'' she said loudly and clearly,
S she rose and touched an old escritoire
n the corner.
Yes, yes," nodded the old man
risky. Come, Molly, don't say you
nay, SO long as you don't worry me and
ct me 60 my own way. Open the upper
id first, girl The envelope is at the
'ack OF the drawer-a black seal on it.
put black seal upon it when we both
greed that it was mistake-a great
mistake, eh? As if man of fifty would
ct any sharptoDgued chit come hector
ng him by the hour | wish to Heaven
he old fool hadn't billited the child on
ne. Have you given it to her, Parsons
want to 60 to sleep now and forget this
gout."
"Yes," answered Christian Earle, as
he folded the coveted paper away and
nut it into the breast of her dress. eyes,
e has given it to me-"
For second she went back and stood
t the table, looking at the handsome
itiful wreck before her uncertainty. He I
'as gazing dimly into his winegass.
"Yes-Molly Capel and | might have {
lade less Of a muddle of it il Parsons [
ad minded his own business. But Par
ons hated women, especially women [
18th minds of their own. Well, get along /
18th you, Molly. 1t would only be an s
ther row il you stayed here" &