Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-06-20

n, his eyes twfnkling, I'm jest spill
In TO pull his hair n cuff him."
Il will help out in that matter at
once, and more than gladly" replied
Martin, again looking at Chip and not
ing how improved she was; but
| still think Miss Runaway had better
return with me. We need you, Chip"
he continued earnestly, and so does
some one else can name. more than
you imagine. fancy, and my wife will
welcome you with open arms. you
| may be sure. AS for that foolish Han
nah, she's the most penitent person
in Greenvale. There's another reason
STILL" he added. giancing around with
a smile. and no one is more glad of il
than We all are. It's sixty-thousand-
dollar reason-your heritage. Miss
Vera Mcguire. for your father is dead
and that amount is now in the Riyerton
| Savings bank awaiting you"
Martin had expected this news to be
overpowering. and a Good Cod" from
| Uncle Jud, and a gasping Land
sakes!" from Aunt Mandy proved that
Il was.
Chips face. however. was a study.
| First she grew pale, then flashed a
scared glance from one TO another OF
! the three who watched her. and then
almost did her shame and hatred OF
this vile parent find expression.
I'm glad he-no. won't say so. for
he was my father" she exclaimed;
but / want old Cy to have some Of
the money, and Uncle Jud here. and
you folks. all. l was pauper long
/ enough" and then, true TO her instinct
OF how TO escape from trouble, She
ran out Of the room.
She's a curis gal" asserted Uncle
Jud. looking after her as IL feeling
that she needed explanation. the most
curis gal l ever saw. But we can't
let her so, money or no money. Mr.
| Frisbie. l found her one night upon
top o Bangall hill. She was so starved
an beat out from trampin' she couldn't
hardly crawl up on TO the wagon, n
! yet she said she wouldn't be helped
'thout she could arm IL. I think she's
like folks we read about, who starve
ruther'n beg. But she kin have all
we've got some day an we Jest can't
let her 60"
And Martin, realizing its futility,
made no further protest
Something OF chagrin also came TO
him. for. broad-minded as he was. he
realized how partial neglect, the mar
row religious prejudice OF Greenvale.
and unwise notice OF her childish ideas
about spites and Old Tomah's supersti-
lions had all conspired 70 drive her
away. She was honest and selfre-
speeding. true blue" as Old Cy had
said. grateful as a fawning dog for all
that had been done for her and in
| spite OF her origin. a circumstance
that carried no weight with Martin
she was one. he believed, who would
develop into splendid womanhood
That she was we'll on her way toward
that goal. her improved speech and de-
votion TO these new friends gave am
pie evidence.
And now Rays position IN this com
pick situation occurred 10 Martin: for
this young mans interest in Chip and
almost heart-broken grief over her dis
appearance had long since betrayed
HIS attachment.
Il suppose you may have guessed
that there was a love affair mixed up
with this episode" he said 20 the two
somewhat dazed people
Il callated thar was. that fust night"
Uncle Jud responded his eyes twin
king again, AN told Mandy so. Twas
that more'n anything else kept US
from Quizzin the gal. knowed by
her face she had heart trouble. n I've
seen the cause ont"
You have" exclaimed Martin.
astonished In turn, for heavens sake,
where?"
"Oh. down TO the Corners, most a
year ago. n likely boy he was. too"
And never told herr"
NO. why should l. thinkin' she'd run
away from him. We didn't want to
spite her plans. We found out though.
her name was Mcclure. but never let
on till she told us a spell ago" And
then Uncle Jud told the story of RAYS
arrival in Riggsville in search OF Chip
THAT fellow is my nephew. RAY
mond Stetson," rejoined Martin with
pride, he also is an orphan. and /
have adopted him Chip has no cause
TO be ashamed Of his attachment"
Il don't callate she is" replied
Uncle Jud. "'Tain't that that jinerai-
~ makes gal kick over the traces.
Mebhe twas suthin some o you folks
said" And then a new light came TO
Martin.
Mr.. Walker" he answered impress
sively; in every village there is al
ways meddlesome old maid who in
variably says things she'd better not,
and ours is no exception. IN this case
II was a dependent OF our family who
took dislike TO Chip. it seems, and
her escapade was its outcome"
| Wal. we've got to hev charity for
en-" replied Uncle Jud, with a broad
smile. Never havin' suffered the
joys n sorrows o. love, they look at il
sorter crisscross. an mebber this 'un
did Old maids are a good deal like
cider-nat'rally turn TO vinegar. What
wimmin need more'n all the rest is be-
In loved, n If they don't get il. they
sour up in time an amt no comfort TO
themselves nor nobody else. Then
ag'in. not havin' no man nor no babies
L f,r-