The Huttig news., 1909-04-17
CINDERELLA'S
 REWARD
By DEARBORN WALTERS.

task-mistresses were all out at some function, and Elpie was quite alone and idle for once in her poor little life.
 What castles, fair and grand, did the big, brown eyes see in those glow ing embeTs? Who can say? The thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts" and, much as her task-mis- tresses might try to crush the youth and romance out of Elpie they could not quite succeed But presently the big eyes grew smaller, Elpies little brown head began to nod, and she fell sound asleep
 What wakened her? Elpie did not know; but suddenly with a great start and shiver, she started up to find the fire burning very low and the room al most in complete darkness. She sat quite still, her heart throbbing so vio- lently she was quite sure some one in he room must hear it. And there was some enc in the room. A dark figure was moving in the opposite corner to her
 Wild thoughts of burglars and mid night assassins rushed through Elpfe's mind; but she was a brave little crea- ture, and she did not scream. The servants were downstairs, in the kitch- en. and she was the only living being in the house besides.
 It came into her mind that she must stealthily reach forward to the bell and ring; but just as she was moving, he figure turned. He advanced swift ly toward her, and, though Elpie tried 10 speak out bravely ahd ask him what he wanted, she could not: her tongue seemed 10 eleave to the roof of her mouth
 Hush, said the man, and his voice sounded pleasant and friendly. Don't scream. please. I'm not burglar. though my mode of entrance may seem like that of one. The truth Is, I-I came through window down stairs and made my way up here
 Elpie could see him indistinctly He was young man. well dressed, and the face looking down at her was frank and friendly.
 II 0As tCii itft NiiO AO0 dit OH can't he one of my
 I'm Elpie-thai is. I am Elspeth Grey. Mr. Kemp was my mothers cousin. and he took ne to live with him when my father died and since MT. Kemp died I have stayed with Mrs. Kemp and her daughters and helped them"
 ssEalnad thomo uo1p
 Oh. with dresses, and-and other things" faltered Elpie, frightened by .E the fierceness of his tone
 Well. they are all out tonight, aren't they? And the servants are en- toying themselves down stairs, SC we needn't be frightened. 1 am going to tell you tremendous secret, little one. But first. tell me, are those peo- pie kind to you? Do they treat you as one of themselves? Do they give you plenty of nice food, pretty cloth ing, amusements?
 "Julianna-Josephine isis nice sometimes faltered Elpie She was a loyal little soul. and anxious to hide the faults of her relatives.
 And Matilda-Jane. and the rest of this well-princ. pied household?" asksd the young man. satirically.
 '1 can't tell you any more" cried Elpie. driven to bay, "till I know who you are"
 That's easily told. little one. I am MT Kemp's nerhew. therefore a kind of cousin of yours. Elpie started and turned pale, My name is Norman Kemp My father founded Uncle Johns business. and helped him to buy this house on condition that it should be left 10 me When my uncle died these infamous women stepped In and took everything: and yet know Uncle John left will in my favor have been away; that is why I have not come forward sooner But Woods. the lawyer, 6rew up the will. and have reason to suspect il is hidden somewhere in thls house 1 shall moi leave here ill l have found it. Now. are you going to show me the way to my uncle's lihrary?' ?''
 Elpe indicated it in fear and ,rem bling and returned to her seat. In about a quarter of an hour Norman Kemp re-entered flushed and excited
 ''I have found it, There's nothing l like determination. little cousin Con 1 cealed-where do you think2 In tn, l flap of the cover of the old family Bible. Of course, Mrs. Kemp will say she knew nothing of it He began to read it, then uttered an exclamation 1 And here's mention of you. little one. 1 And whereas, l have undertaken to ] provide for my cousins child. Elspeth l Grey. l do hereby bequeath to the said Elspeth Grey the sum of $l0000. to l be kept in trust by my wife until ths aforesaid Elspeth shall reach the age l of 1S.' How old are you, Elpie?'
 '.I was IS in July faltered Elpie
 Then you can claim your rights 8 once. I shall see after your claims a ] we'll as my own. Now I am going, Ii tie cousin straight to the lawyers Good-by Elpie.7
 Elries heart thrilled strangely 2 her companions black eyes locke. into her face. He took her hand, thei | suddenly raised if n his line