Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-02-18
CHAPTER XXI.

the original document winch ne nau
brought with him for that purpose.
CHAPTER XXI.
Ut seemed to him a very long time
before he was summoned back to
her.
L She was white to the lips as
they sat down again together, but She
was woman Of strong will, and her
voice was steady when she spoke to
him.
"How in the world, Peter. did You
come by this paper?" she began.
He told her briefly Of his summer at
the farm and of his investigation Of
the haunted room. He did not. how
ever, mention his nightly seances with
Eunice. Miss Wolcott was nothing If
not conventional.
"You believe this story?" Her ques-
tions were abrupt and sharp.
81 do DO you?"
1T am open to conviction. And you
would toll me that this paper remained
undiscovered all these years and that
my niece has been kept by this farm
er's family. knowing nothing of her
origin? You say you met her ut this
farm?"
YES"
"The proof of her identity offered
here?" she demanded.
He drew from his pocket small
box and handed it to her. She quickly
opened it and took out the chain aud
locket.
Her face grew whittier as she handled
them. and her voice was not steady
when she spoke again.
ooh! IL remember this!-I remcm-
ber clasping it about her little neck
She leaned her head on her hand for
an instant. But she quickly rallied.
"And the other proof?" she ques-
toned.
at is there
"The two little moles under her
ear?"
81 saw them"
"TelI me Of the girl"
Her tone was tense with anxiety.
Was 1t the prospect OF losing her
wealth or her fear Of hearing an un.
welcome account Of her niece that
drew those deep lines about her strong
mouth?
"She has been brought up In the
farmers family-not quite as a men,
Der of the family
81 should hope not!'
"But rather as their servant"
She sank back in her chair. looking
as though he had struck her in the
face.
"What do you mean?"
"She has done every sort Of menial
work to pay them for giving her n
home. She has been Il domestic
drudge for them"
He felt that he was cruel. but lie
was speaking advisedly. and at least
his purpose in putting the case so bru-
tally was merciful-to both Eunice and
her aunt.
"a servant! To a farmers familyl
My niece!
As she spoke Kinross had sudden
nent.l picture OF Eunice transplanted
Into this house-lper own house really.
He saw the girl in all her exquisite
delicacy of face and form, her grace,
her thrilling voice, her natural dignity.
in contrast to Miss Wolcott's funny,
dumpy little figure, abrupt manner and
almost coarse features.
"The girl would appear distinguish
Cd beside her." he thought.
"rhen she Is q crude, uneducated
country girl, quite unfit for decent SO
ciety?" she demanded.
at depends upon what you mean by
decent"
"Is she quite hopeless, or could some
thing possibly be done for herr"
"Her blood ought to tell for some
thing" he said, not without touch OF
malice.
"Unless she he's been ruined hy her
environment. And 1t would be too late
now to make up for her lack Of edu'
cation. OF course they never sent her
to school"
"Not after she was twelve years
old"
s"Gracious."
"She has never been away from the
farm except" lie stoically added, ITO
60 with her foster parents to town to
market to sell vegetables. butter and
eggs, smearcase, apple butter, pom
haus, snits and sauerkraut."
She gazed ut him speechless.
"Let her have itv' he thought. ut
will do her good. If she does the right
thing, she will find out for herself
what the child really is"
"What would the poor girl do with
wealth." she asked In hollow voice,
"You say she is utterly unfit to use it?'
81 have seen many rich people no
better fitted"
His eyes were constantly drawn to
/ the Confession" which she firmly
held in her hand. He had an appre.
hension that at any moment he might
see her tear 1t into shreds and defy
him to do his worst. Yet an Unborn
instinct Of courtesy. stronger than his
vaunted cyniclsm, made 1t impossible
for him to ask her for the paper until
he had given her every chance to re-
turn 1t voluntarily.
"A fine lawyer I'd make" he sneer-
ed at himself.
"Then," she continued, granting, fol
the sake of argument. that ] believed
this paper" tapping It with her fin
ger, 81 would at least have to try to
civilize her somewhat before turned
over to her the control of her money.
i Il x,,nrld no IN actual WRONG to her to