News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1908-02-26

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 $4,000 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-
ton 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
would have to be told in the presence
Of the family. Surely the news would
vestige of her yoke.
So. first, he had forced Morningstar
under the lash of his threats, to sign,
In cold Precipitation of horror, the
draft for $4,000 (Which in fact repre-
sented at least fourth of his posses
sions) and pass it 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, Il have a
piece of news for you and your wife
and for Eunice."
Eunice'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
young creature that she was. 1t was
distasteful, even painful. to have to
break his news to her in the presence
of these people, w[o, indeed, seemed
her natural enemies, but it was appar-
entity unavoidable
whats your news?" Mrs. Morning
star CURLY 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 nigh in the
haunted room ! made some discover
les. found out, as you know. about
the $4,000 belonging to Eunice. I
found out alsu some other tn'ne.."
He paused an instant. They all wait
ed breathlessly.
1.-THE man and woman who left Eu-
nice here were not her parents"
"Now," exclaimed Mrs. Morningstar,
"you amt tellin us thatv'
"Och, my souls!' breathed Ollie.
~Forevermorev'
"Kin you prove it?' demanded Mr..
Morningstar sullenly.
what did they do with havin' her,
then, along with emp cried Mrs.
Morningstar.
"They had stolen her from her
home"
"Well, never" exclaimed Mrs.
Morningstar. her eyes bullying.
II 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," he
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. w. Wolcott of New York. He was
man of large means. Eunice was
his only child. Her aunt, Miss VOL
colt of Washington, who believed her
to be dead, has meantime had possess
sion of the fortune rightfully belonging
to Eunice. She is ready now to make
restitution"
''Iin you prove it?' Abe here re-
peated his fathers demand.
"How did you find it outT' asked
Morningstar
Haunted rooms reveal secrets" Kin
ross answered, with a solemnity that
made the family shudder to man.
"How much is comm to her?' inquir-
ed Abe GENEROUSLY.
"a very great fortune"
While the family gaped, speeches.,
he rose from the table and moved
around to Eunice's side.
Miss Wocott," he said, holding out
his hand, 81 congratulate you"
1t took the Morningstars long time
to grasp it, and Eunice herself SEEM
ed dazed by it. She had not the least
of what a great fortune
meant. Kinross found her childlike
acceptance of the stupendous fact both
and amusing.
1t required 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 articulate.
Only Eunice had nothing to say as she
sat motionless, with her eyes fixed up
ON his face, when again he took his
chair opposite her.
''Now, just to thinkv' heavily breath