Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-01-02
CHAPTER NIV.-(Continued.)

remonstrance, and so accompanying tn
picture was a little note, filled mostl.
with praises of Mr.. Guy. and whicl
would be very gratifying to the unsus
pecting Lucy.
Now that it fully decided for Jessie t.
so with Maddy, her lessons were suspend
ed, and Aikenside for the time beiig wa:
turned into vast dressmaking establish
ment. With his usual generosity Gu,
had given Agnes permission to dra
upon his purse for whatever was peedet'
either for herself or Jessie, with the del
mite understanding that Maddy shoul1
have an equal share of dress and atten-
ton.
1T will not be necessary" he said, for
you to enlighten the citizens Of New York
with regard to Maddy's position. She
goes there as Jessie's equal. and her
wardrobe must be suitable"
No one could live long with Maddy
Clyde without becoming interested in her,
and in spite of herself Agnes dislike was
wearing away, particularly as of late she
had seen no signs of special attention on
the doctors part. He had gotten over
his weakness, she thought and so was
very gracious toward Maddy, who, nat
urally forgiving. began to like her better
than she had ever dreamed it possible for
her to like so proud and naughty wom-
an Down at the cottage in Honedale
there were many consultations held and
many fears expressed by the aged couple
as to what would be the result of all Guy
was doing for their child.
A few days before Maddy's departure,
grandpa went up to see 'the madam :"
anxious to know something more than
hearsay about a person to whose care his
child was to be partially ntrusted. Agnes
was in her room when told who wanted
to see her. Starting quickly, she turned
so deadly white that Maddy, who brought
the message, flew to her side, asking in
much alarm what was the matter.
Only little faint. 1t will soon pass
off" Agnes said, and then, Gismissing
Maddy, she tried to compose herself sufi-
ciently to pass the ordeal she so much
dreaded, and from which there was no
possible escape.
Thirteen years. Had they changed her
past recognition? She hoped, she believed
so, and yet never in her life had Agnes
terror and apprehension as when she en-
tered the reception roor. where Guy sat
talking with the infrm old man she Pc
membered so well. His snowy hair was
parted just the same as ever, but the
mild blue eye was DINNER, and it rested
on her with no suspicious glance, as, par
TALLY reassured. she g;ded across the
threshold, and bowed civiliy when Guy
presented her.
little anxious as to how her grand
father would acquit himself, Maddy sat
by. wondering why Agnes appeared so i'll
at ease, and why her grandsire started
sometimes at the sound of her voice, and
looked earnestly at her.
We've never met before to my knowl-
edge, young woman," he said once to Ag-
mes, "but you are mighty like somebody
and your voice. when you talk low, keeps
maxim me jump as if Id heard it sum'ers
or other
After that Agnes spoke in elevated
tones, as if she thought him deaf, and
the mystifed look of wonder did not re-
turn to his face. Numerous were the
charges he gave to Agnes concerning
Maddy, bidding her be watchful of his
child then, as he arose to go. he laid
his trembling hand on her head and said
solemnly: You are young yet, lady, and
there may be a long life before you. God
bless you, then, and prosper you in pro-
portion as you are kind to Maddy. I've
nothing to give you nor Mr.. Guy for your
goodness only my prayers, and them you
have every day. We all pray for you,
lady, Joseph and all, though | doubt me
he knows much the meaning of what he
says"
who, sir? What did you say?" and
Agnes face was scarlet, as grandpa re-
piled: Joseph, our unfortunate boy
Maddy must have told you. the one who's
taken such a shine to Jessie. From the
corner where he sits so much | can hear
him whispering by the hour, sometimes of
folks he used to know, and then of you
who we call madam. He says FOR ten
minutes on the stretch Cod bless the |
madam-the madam !. You're
sick, lady talkin' about him makes you
faint grandpa added, hastily, AS Agnes |
turned white as the dress she wore.
"No-oh, no, I'm better now," Agnes |
gasped, bowling him to the door with a |
feeling that she could breathe no longer |
In his presence.
He did not hear her faint cry of bitter, |
bitter remorse, as he walked through tie |
hall, nor know she watched him as he |
went slowly down the walk, stopping |
often to admire the fair blossoms which |
Naddy did not feel at liberty to pick.
"He loved flowers" Agnes whispered, |
as her better nature prevailed over every |
other feeling, and, starting eagerly for |
ward, she ran after the old man, who. |
surprised at her evident haste, waited a |
little anxiously for her to speak. 1t was |
rather difficult to do so with Maddy's in |
qurng eyes upon her, but Agnes man
aged at last to say:
Does that man like fowers-the one |
who prays for the madam
Yes. he used to years ago." grandpa |
replied and, bending down, Agnes began |
TO pick and arrange into a most tasteful |
bouquet the blossoms and buds of May, |
growing so profusely within the borders |
Take them to him, will your and her
hand shook as she passed to Grandpa |
Markham the gift which would thrill
poor Joseph with strange delight, max
ing him hold converse a while with the
unseen presence which he called she"
ard thea whisper blessings on the mad
SIMS head.
Three days after this, party OF four
let Afkens.de, which presented a most