The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1909-04-24


sometimes faltered Elpie. She was
loyal little soul, and anxious to
hide the faults OF her relatives.
And Matilda-Iane. and the rest
of this well-principled household?"
asked the young man, satirically.
Il can tell you any more" cried
Elpie, driven to bay, till l know who
you are
That's easily told, little one.
am Mr. Kemp's nephew, therefore a
kind of cousin of yours" Elpie start
ed and turned pale. MY name is
Norman Kemp. My father founded
Uncle Johns business, and helped
that it should be left to me. When
my uncle died these infamous wom-
en- stepped in and took everything;
and yet 1 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 it is hidden somewhere in
this house. | shall not leave here
till l have found it. Now, are you
going to show me the way to my
uncle's library?"
Elpie indicated it in fear and trem-
bling and returned to her seat. In
about a quarter of an hour Norman
Kemp re-entered flushed and excit-
ed.
Il have found it! There's nothing
like determination, little cousin. Con-
cealed-where do you think? In the
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, I have
undertaken to provide for my cousins
child, Elspeth Grey, 1 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, Ell
pie?'
Il was eighteen in July" faltered
Elpie.
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
into her face. He took her hand,
then suddenly raised it to his lips.
Forgive me: l couldn't help it..
am your cousin, you know, and you
are a brave and true little girl. Good
by, Elpie; l shall soon see you again.
And this strange burglar was gone.
"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.
She was no longer the little neg
lected girl he had first seen; she was
more womanly and experienced. But
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.
Eyes, 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.
Eyes, I've heard that. too. Miss
Miss Grant of Washington, isn't it?'
Norman started.
"Who told you that?'
ooh, don't know; every one thinks
it."
Then every one is wrong" said
Norman; and he suddenly came very
close to her and laid his hand on her
little fingers. "Elpie, there's only one
mistress in all the world l want fof
it; 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 girl
who trusted me from the beginning,
though appearances were SO terribly
against me. Elpie, will you consent
to be a burglars wife,"
And he must have heard an answer