Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-10-15
CHAPTER XXI.

was a woman of strong will and hel voice was steady when she spoke t( him.
 How in the world, Peter, did vol come by this paper" she began.
 He told her briefly of his summer a the farm and of his investigation Oi the haunted room. He did not, how ever, mention his nightly seances witt Eunice. Miss Wolcott was nothing i. not conventional.
 You believe this story" Her ques tions were abrupt and sharp.
 'I do. Do you"
 q am open to conviction. And you would tcil me that this paper remained undiscovered all these years and that my niece has been kept by this farm CTS family, knowing nothing of her origin? You say you met her at this | farm"
 Yes"
 'The proof of her identity offered here?" she demanded.
 He drew from his pocket a small box and handed it to her She quickly l opened it and took out the chain and i locket.
 Her face grew winter as she handled them, and her voice was not steady when she spoke again.
 "Oh, IT remem Der this!-I remem- Der clasping it about her little neckw
 She leaned her head on her hand for an instant. But she quickly rallied.
 And the other proof?" she ques. toned.
 Tt is there"
 'The two little moles under her ear?"
 T saw them.'
 "TeIl me of the girl"
 Her tone was tense with anxiety. Was it the prospect of losing her wealth or her fear of hearing an un- welcome account of her niece that drew those deep lines about her strong mouth?
 "She has been brought up in the farmers family-not quite as mem- Der of the family
 T should hope notr'
 But rather as their servant"
 She sank back in her chair, looking as though he had struck her in the face.
 What do you mean?'
 "She has done every sort of menial work to pay them for giving her a home. She has been a domestic drudge for them"
 He felt that he was cruel, but he was speaking advisedly, and at least his purpose in putting the case so bru. tally was merciful-to both Eunice and her aunt.
 "A servant! To a farmers family! My niece"'
 As she spoke Kinross had a sudden mental picture of Eunice transplanted into this house-her own house really. He saw the girl in all her exquisite delicacy of face and form, her grace, her thrilling voice, her natural dignity, in contrast to Miss Wolcott's funny, dumpy little figure. abrupt manner and almost coarse features.
 "The girl would appear distinguish ed beside her" he thought.
 Then she is a crude, uneducated country girl, qudte unfit for decent so- ciety?" she demanded.
 Tt depends upon what you mean by decent"
 ''Is she quite hopeless, or could some thing possibly be done for herr"
 Her blood ought to tell for some. thing" he saN, not without touch of malice.
 Unless she has been ruined by her environment. And it would be too late now to make up for her lack of edu- cation. Of course they never sent her to school"
 Not after she was twelve years old" Gracious" "She has never been away from the farm except" he stoically added, "to go with her foster parents to town to market to sell vegetables, butter and eggs. smearcase, apple butter, pon- haus. snits and sauerkraut."
 She gazed at him speeches. Let her have itr' be thought. Tt will do her good. If she does the right thing. she will ind out for herself what the child really is" What would the poor girl do with wealthy she asked in a hollow voice "You say she is utterly unit to use it:r T have seen many rich people no better fitted" His eyes were constantly drawn to the confession" which she firmly held in her hand. He had an appre- hensiOn that at any moment he might see her tear it into shreds and defy him to do his worst Yet an inboru instinct of courtesy. stronger than his vaunted cynicism. made 1t impossible . for him to ask her for the paper until be had given her every chance to re- . turn t voluntarily "A fine lawyer I'd make-' he sneer- ei at himself. Then" she continued. granting for the sake of argument that I believed this paper tapping 1t with her fn- ger. T would at least have to try to rivIiIe her somewhat before I turDed over 10 her the control Of her money. It would be an actual uTUzz to her tO give f to her befO7e she was sO-le- what prepared to use 1t nationally and 7ecentlv"
 T think SO
 How would y0g suggest from your CF her that I g1 abC1t ftZ- EE.- ----- -n-- .---.----s---. ----a.-.r------