Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-02-25
By HELEN r. MARTIN,
CHAPTER XIII.
Author s "Tillie: A Mennonite Maid

| EulllCc, UtluS present u tuc uipoi tou
Interview he was having with them.
The withdrawal of Georgiana's al
pervaGing presence from the flrm hac
made the family seem to Kinross on
his return quite shrunken and small.
| He had wondered how. after his
few days absence and his fresh con
tact With TIE world. Eunice would ap
rear 70 him from the point Of view OF
his own and her aunt's world. and II
seemed Il hin now as he looked at her
sitting opposite him at the kitchen
table That she was even more detached
from her environment than he had al
crst thong; her and far more akin
to his own and her aunts sphere OF
life than that of the farm-to which
indeed. she seemed entirely alien.
He fanciei today that the habitual
melancholy of her eyes was intensified
But surely the great news he had for
her would quickly dissipate 1t and the
original pale drab" Of her existence
change to rosy hues-perhaps. alas, to
lurid ones-for in his heart he felt not
little misglving as to the possibly
baneful effect of her seeming good
fortune.
Before returning he had sent mes.
sage ahead Of him to Mr.. Morningstar,
warning him to be ready against his
arrival to pay over to Eunice imme.
diately the sum Of $1,000 or be pre-.
pared to accept the consequences.
The effect of this communication had
been to lead the Morningstars to urge
upon Eunice once more the suit Of
Abe, but neither their persuasions nor
their anger had succeeded in moving
her.
| On his arrival he had Of course in
sisted upon seeing Eunice alone But
he had met with such violent opposi-
| tion to this from both Mr. and Mrs.
Morningstar that even the girl herself
drew back, unwilling to brave the
storm that would follow her open de-
fiance. He saw that part, at least, OF
what he had to tell her Of her affairs
/
of the family. Surely the news would
make her able to throw Off the last
vestige of her yoke.
So. first he had forced Morningstar.
under the lash Of his threats. to sign,
In cold perspiration Of horror. the
draft for $1,000 (Which in fact repre-
sented at least fourth of his posses
sions) and pass 1t over to the bewilder-
ed Eunice.
"Now. Mr. Morningstar." he began
when this transaction had been com
| pleted. leaving the farmer utterly
shaken out of his orbit, 81 have a
piece of news for you and your wife
and for Eunice."
| Eunicc's face was pale, and her
| eyes. intent upon his face. were burn
| ing bright He wished that he had the
| power to read all her thoughts. unique
| youn. creature that she was. 1t was
diStasteful. even painful. to have to
break his news to her in the presence
| of these people who. indeed. seemed
| he: natural enemies. but It was appar-
| emily unavoidable.
whats your news?" Mrs. Morning
star cuctly demanded. her curiosity
getting the better Of her rage against
him. and her husband. too, bitter as
was his chagrin. looked up keenly.
suspicious Of further calamity.
| when spent the night In the
haunted room made some discover
| les found out as you know, about
the $4,000 belonging to Eunice. I
| found out also some other things"
He paused an instant. They all wait
ed breathlessly.
''The man and woman who left Eu-
nice here were not her parents"
"Now," exclaimed Mrs. Mornlngstar.
'you amt tellin' us that!"
"Uch. my souls!' Dreatned ollie.
| "Foreyermore!"
kin you prove it?' demanded Mr.
| Morningstar sullenly.
What did they do with havln' her,
then. along with emp cried Mrs.
| Morningstar.
They had stolen her from her
| home"
"Wel, never~ exclaimed Mrs.
Morningstar. her eyes bulging.
| 81 had wished to talk to Eunice OF
this and other details alone, but as
YOU made that impossible I'll give you
the bare facts now, after which, ne
added in a tone of authority, "Eunice
will come with me to hear in private
what concerns no one but herself"
The Morningstars stared resentfully,
but no one answered.
"Her father" Kinross went on, was
". W. Wolcott Of New York. He was
a man of large means. Eunice was
his only child. Her aunt, Miss VOL
colt Of Washington, who believed nel
TO be dead. has meantime had posses
sion of the fortune rightfully belonging
to Eunice. She is ready now to make
restitution"
"Kln you prove it?' Abe here re-
peated his fathers demand.
GLOW did you find 1t out?" asked
Morningstar.
| "Unupted rooms reveal secrets" Kin
ross answered. with soleinnity tna'
made the family shudder to Il man.
"IIow much is comm to herr" inQuir'
ed Abe covetously.
"a very great fortune"
While the family gaped, speechess
he rose from the table and moved
| oround IN Eunice'S side
Miss Wolcott." he said, holding out
his hand. 81 congratulate you"
II took the Morningstars long time
to grasp 1t, and Eunice herself seem
ed dazed by 1t. She had not the least
conception Of what great fortune
meant. Kinross found her childlike
acceptance of the stupendous fact both
refreshing and amusing.
1t required a vast deal Of explaining
before he could make them all even be-
gin to understand the discovery he had
made. Mr.. and Mrs. Morningstar were
loud In their comments and questions
Even Ollie overcame her habitual shy
ness before him and became artiouiate
Only Eunice had nothing to say as she
sat motionless. with her eyes fixed up
on his face. when again he took bis
chair opposite her.
"Now, just to thinkw heavily breath
ed Mrs. MornlngstaI. Who'd a
thunk it?''
"Och, 1t minds me Of that there story
of Cinderella. ain't?" Ollie appealed to