The Topeka state journal., 1906-06-09

had Joined the group just In time 70 catch
the gypsy's words. Raising an impera-
tive finger and pointing toward the road
way, she said in voice she tried to hold
calm: "Begone you hussy! I'll not have
such vagabonds as gypsies roaming at
liberty about my grounds"
Your grounds?' And the gypsy looked
her coolly in the face. Then turning
toward the group of servants-all Of
whom We're busy arranging the table save
the old gardener. who was paying close
attention to the gypsy-she pointed
toward Mary continuing:
''There is the rightful Lady of Hapgood
and heir to this estate. She Is the beauti-
ful servant girl known in your household
as Bridget
Not having heard the gypsy's words
and paying only attention to her work.
Mary was laying the napkins about to
designate the places for the guests at
table. So she did not see that all eyes
were bent on her, nor note the angry
pallor that came over her stepmother's
and stepsister's faces when they beheld
her presence
Advancing toward her. Lady Hapgood
cried out In voice thick with rage.
Bridget, how dare you come here with
out orders from me? Return instantly to
Mary looked up from her work. and
terrible fear seized her when she saw the
look on her old stepmother's face She
made as If to speak in explanation, when.
to her surprise, the Countess of Bumbroke
came Suddenly to her side and said In a
voice loud enough for all to hear. Fear
a3d aRtdhas y6aF @ end fR speaR sR0% out %BBhn aas
The fear Mary had felt for the wicked
presence OF this gentlewoman who prom
ised her friendship, and, proudly raising
her head, she spoke in firm, full: young
voice; am Lady Mary. of Hapgood
Castle. only child of Lord Hapgood who
died In France few years ago That
woman -pointing to her stepmother-
has robbed me of my property and my
liberty. Until this moment | have never
dared to own my own name.
white rage had settled over the face
OF the wicked stepmother. and she leaDed
toward Mary. hand uplifted as if to strike
third step she fell IN n fit, screaming and
foaming at the mouth with passion.
Estele, her own features distorted with
anger beckoned to their coachman to
come to her assistance, for the guests,
grasping the full meaning Of what had
been said. made no offer to help her care
for the Witk ked woman, who was but stlf-
fering the consequences of her own evil
After the coachman had placed his mis-
tress in her carriage and had driven from
the park with her-EsteIle sitting boldly
upright on the seat beside her frenzied
mother-the guests turned one and all to
Mary, who had so Unexpectedly become
the heroine Of the hour.
As. you are the real Lady Of Hap
good" said a handsome young lord smil-
ing saIlantly on Mary, 1t gives me pleas
ure to welcome you in our midst and
congratulate you on coming into pos
session Of your own And be gracious
ly bowed over the confused Maryss hand,
the others of the company following his
example.
Then the Countess of Bumbroke gayly
declared that the days festivities should
not be spoiled, and suggested that all
should participate in the appetizing
luncheon which the old gardeners wife
(who had suddenly recovered from her
toothachel assisted by her gypsy" daugh-
ter Betty was placing on the table. just
as though nothing had happened of an
unusual nature
So the afternoon wore away. and when
it came time for the guests to depart the
Countess Of BumbrOke cordially invited
/ Lady Mary to her own home, where she