Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-07-12

ing her absence, she cried: why, how
you've changed! l can scarcely be-
lieve it's you. Say something. Let
me hear the sound of your voice, IA
Their"
The judge tried to smile.
why, my dear girl, r.
Shirley threw her arms round his
neck.
"Ah, yes, now l know it's you" she
cried.
"Of course it is, Shirley, my dear
girl. OF course 1t is. Who else would
1t be?'
eyes, but it isn't the same" insisted
Shirley. There is no ring to your
voice. 1t sounds hollow and empty,
like an echo. And this place." she add
ed dolefully. 'this awful place.
She glanced around at the cracked
ceilings, the cheaply papered walls, the
shabby furniture, and her heart sank
as she realized the extent Of their mis-
fortune. She had come back prepared
for the worst, to help win the fight for
her fathers honor, but to have to
struggle against sordid poverty as well,
to endure that humiliation in addition
to disgrace-ah, that was something
she had not anticipated! She changed
color, and her voice faltered. Her ia
Their had been closely watching for
just such signs, and. he read her
thoughts.
"It's the best we can afford, Shirley"
he said quietly. THE blow has been
complete. | will tell you everything.
You shall judge for yourself My enc
mics have done for me at last"
Your enemiesT' cried Shirley eager
ly. Tell me who they are so l may
go to them"
Yes, dear, you shall know every
thing, but not now. You are tired after
your journey. Tomorrow sometime
Stott and will explain everything"
Very well. father, as you wish"
said Shirley gently. After ALL" she
added in an effort to appear cheerful,
what matter where we live so long
as we have each other?"
She drew away to hide her tears and
left the room on pretense of inspecting
the house, She looked into the dining
room and kitchen and opened the cup
boards, and when she returned there
were no visible signs Of trouble In her
face.
Its cute little house, isn't it?" she
said. I've always wanted a little
place like this all to ourselves. Oh, If
you only knew how tired am of New
York and its great ugly houses, its
retinue Of servants and its domestic
and social responsibilities! We shah
be- able to live for ourselves now, eh.
fatherY
She spoke with forced gayety that
might have deceived any one but the
judge. He understood the motive of
her sudden change in manner. and
silently he blessed her for making his
burden lighter.
Yes, dear, it's not bad he said.
There's not much room. though"
There's quite enough" she insisted
Let me see." She began to count on
her fingers. Upstairs. three rooms.
eh, and above that three more
No." smiled the judge; then comes
the roof"
"Of course" she laughed; ''how SIN
pid of me "a nice gable roof. a sloninD
roof that the rain runs of beautifuIIy
oh, l can see that this is going TO he
awfully jolly-just like camping out
You know how love camping out
And you have piano too"
She went over to the corner whera
stood one of those homely instruments
which hardly deserve to be dignified
by the name piano, with a cheap
gaudily painted case outside and a fin
pan effect inside, and which are usuaI-
~ to be found in the poorer class Of
country boarding houses. Shirley sat
down and ran her fingers over the
keys. determined to like everything
Its a little old" was her comment
but l like these either effects Tt,s
Just Ike the sixteenth century spInet
can see you and mother dancing q
stately mlnuet," she smiled