The Washington herald., 1908-01-14
CHAPTER X-COntinued.

O5AA1 4Lh A-GOAb bAnuNAs
Katherine said nothing She waited for
him TO continue Nevertheless, her heart
began 10 beat little nervously.
1T is quite true. Haverford said after
that little pause. my mother is your
guardian. or rather was, for I'm future I
intend 20 relieve her OF that Office. You
are her niece by marriage. Your mother
was Gerald Baynhurst's only sister.
From what ] can gather. this sister must
have been very dear to him. I am really
as much a stranger 10 my mothers life
as yourself. Miss Granger Beyond
knowing that she married Mr. Baynhurst
after my fathers death, 1 have never
been informed-I may add that / have
never cared to inform mysef-ab0ut
anything connected with this marriage.
So can only give the bare outline Of
your story"
He paused again and this time Kath-
crime spoke. her voice sounding very low
in her own ears.
"Of course, my mother and my father
are dead?"
Yes: your father died before your
uncle" Haverford answered. Your
mother apparently a very delicate wom-
an, was left in the charge Of her brother
Gerald, and he was also appointed your
guardian. When he died suddenly this
charge passed on to my mother"
He ceased speaking abruptly. II would
have been difficult 10 grasp from his tone
whether he judged his mother harshly
or not
Il hope 10 get you more details" Mr.,
Haverford said. when he spoke again.
AS a matter OF fact I have brought
down with NE quantity Of old letters
and other papers which dare say will
throw some light on your early history.
You seem TO have been quite baby
when your mother died, and you came TO
England when YOU were a little child
between three and four"
Then / must have gone Immediately
70 Miss Beamlsh. my old schoolmis-
tress?"
Yes, my mother tells me YOU were
placed IN school She explains this
rather strange proceeding by telling me
that Cuthbert was at that time such
delicate child that her whole thought and
care had 70 be given TO him. and she
herself was in such a poor state Of
health that she was cot iH condition TO
charge herself with too much response
bility."
Katherine Granger laughed. It was
not an unkind laugh
No, ! am sure Mrs, Baynhurst never
cid care about responsibilities " she said
she stooDed forward 10 push some Of
The parcels more securely on the opposite
-
as she asked him another question.
There Is one thing I should like 10
know she said, and that is if I have
been kept by charity all this time Did
you find out anything about that?"
They were close 10 the gates Of Yelver-
ton now. and Rupert Haverford answered
her huTTiedly
You touch on a rather important
phase of this matter, Miss Granger" he
said, and / have more TO communicate
20 you; but We cannot go into this prop
erly now As ! shall be here for a day
OF so, / hope YOU will afford me an Op-
pormnity for speaking quietly with you
'Of course said katherine. Then she
thanked him. and. indeed. she did feel
grateful 10 him. II sent a warm seusa-
ton through her heart TO realize that al
this time. when she had imagined herself
forgotten (When, indeed il might have
been eXCusable If he had put her out Of
his thoughts), he had been working in
her behalf
just before they rolled up 10 the big
door she turned tC him
L want TO ask you something. Please
Jet me know that YOU are no longer
veXed with me for having agreed TO stay
with Mrs. Laucing, I believe I am going
&c answer very well. and you can't think
how glad ] am 10 be with the children
! do see now the girl said quickly
That / ought 10 have referred the mat
ter TO you. but the circumstances were
against me. It seemed such wonderful
chance for me TO find work in such a
moment"
"Of course, I am not angry" Haver-
ford said
He helped her 20 alight. and carried all
ler parcels into the house. and as Mrs.
Brenton came forward 10 greet him.
Katherine ran quickly upstairs to her
own room.
She was conscious Of a great desire to
be alone for few moments, for there
was pressure on her heart, and she
hardly felt prepared to meet the chill
dren's searching eyes. Betty could ask
the most pointed questions at times.
AS she put down her packages in a
heap on the table she found she had
carried up with her a large brown glove
II was warm still with the imprint Of
the mans strong hand; he had drawn il
off to pay the driver. and # must have
fallen among her parcels.
katherine picked it up and stood d
little while holding IT, she derived. quite
uncOnsciCusly. a definite sense Of pleas
ure from the touch of this glove; it re
called the owner so clearly.
II am so glad he did not forget" she
said to herself. 1T is so nice to be re-
membered." ."