The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-01-29

\ ed and turned pale. MY name is
Norman Kemp My father founded
Uncle Johns business, and helped
him to buy this house on condition
that 1t should be left to me. When
my uncle died these infamous wom-
en- stepped in and took everything:
and yet / know Uncle John left a
will in my favor. have been away;
that is why have not come forward
sooner. But Woods. the lawyer, drew
/ up the will, and have reason to
suspect 1t is hidden somewhere in
this house. / shall not leave here
till have found it. Now, are you
! going to show me the way to my
uncle's library?"
Elpie indicated it in fear and trenl-
bling and returned to her seat. In
about quarter of an hour Norman
Kemp re-entered flushed and excit-
ed.
II have found It'll There's nothing
like determination, littles cousin. Con-
cealed-where do you think? In tho
flap OF the cover of the old family
Bible. Of course, Mrs. Kemp will
say she knew nothing of it." He be-
gan to read it, then uttered an ex-
clamation. "And here's mention OF
you, little one And whereas, have
undertaken to provide for my cousins
child, Elspeth Grey, do hereby be-
queath to the said Elspeth Grey the
sum of ten thousand dollars, to be
kept in trust by my wife until the
aforesaid Elspeth shall reach the age
of eighteen How old are you, FL
pie?"
81 was eighteen in July" faltered
Elple.
Then you can claim your rights at
once. shall see after your claims
as well as my own. Now am 60
| ing, little cousin, straight to the law
yer's. Good-by. Elpie.''
| Elpie's heart thrilled strangely as
her companions black eyes looked
into her face. He took her hand,
then suddenly raised it to his lips.
forgive me; couldn't help It.
am your cousin. you know, and yoli
are brave and true little girl. Good
by, Elpie; shall soon see you again. =
i And this strange burglar was gone.
n A year later they met again. Nor
man Kemp was in full possession OF
his property, and Elpie, who had the
modest income Of six hundred dollars
from her we'll invested inheritance,
had been spending months abroad
with friends. The Kemps. discover
ed in what had really. been fraud
had disappeared, none knew where
No one but little Elpie, who was
a tender hearted little girl, cared
where they went.
Il She was no longer the little neg
lected girl he had FIRST seen; she was
more womanly and experienced. Bul
she still blushed, and then paled a
little as Norman took her hand.
Il have been making changes in
my home" he said, after a little
desultory conversation.
! @Yes, I've heard So" Elpie answer
ed. and somehow her head dropped
and so did her sweet, childish lips
Norman sat looking at her silent
ly.
"And have you heard, ALSO" hs
asked quietly, at last, that wish
, a mistress for it?"
Elpie's heart beat very low and
duly.
Yes. I've heard that, too Miss
} Miss Grant of Washington, isn't it?'
Norman started.
i "Who told you that?"
"Oh. | don't know; every one thinks
.. Fit"
Then every one is wrong" sale
| Norman: and he suddenly came yer.
close to her and laid his hand on hel
little fingers. .sElpie, there's only ont
mistress in all the world / want FOL
1t; can't you guess who it Is? The
} little girl I've loved since looked
down at her sleeping. poor. little
, tired Cinderella. in Mrs. Kemp's mag
, nificent drawing room; the little CIR
: who trusted me from the beginning
though appearances were 50 terribly
against me. Elpie. will you consent
to be burglars wife?"
, And he must have heard an answer
that satisfied him. though no one
} else could have done SO; for the mex
moment Elpie's little brown head rest
| ed on her burglars breast. and ther
and there he bent and kissed. mo-
her hand this time. but her lips
/ American Queen.