Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-02-17
Cinderella'S
Reward
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II was only Elpie. Elpie came into
the big, empty drawing room in her
usual noiseless way, and sat down on
8 footstool before the Are, embracing
her knees with her hands. Elpie's
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
tho big, brown; eyes see in those
glowing embers? Who can say?
1.-THE thoughts OF youth are long,
long thoughts, and, much as her task
mistresses might try to crush the
youth, and romance out OF Elpie, they;
could not quite succeed. But present
u the big eyes grew smaller, Ell
pies little brown head began to nod,
and size fell sound asleep.
What Weakened her? Elple did not
know; but suddenly with a. great
start and SILVER. she started up to
ind the fire burning very low and
the room almost in complete dark
ness. She sat quite still. her heart
throbbing so violently she was quite
sure some one In the room must
hear II. And there was some one in
the room. a dark figure was NOV
ing in the opposite corner to her
Wild thoughts Of burglars and
midnisht assassins rushed through
@lpie's mind; but she was a brave,
Iittls creature. and she did not
scream. The servants were down
stairs, tpsfhe Kitchen and shes was
the onlys living being In the houss
besides5 ~ same into her mind that
she must stealth5ay reach forward to-
the bell and ring; hut, Just as she was
moving, the figure turned. as ID
vanced swiftly towards her, and,
though Elpie tried to speak out
lbravely and ask him what he wanted.
she could not: her tongue seemed to
cleave to the root Of her mouth.
Hush!" said the man, and his;
voice sounded quite pleasant and
friendly ssDon;t scream, please. I'm
not burglar though my mode Of
entrance may seem like that OF one.
The truth Is, III came through a
window down stairs and made my
way up here"
Mpie could see him indistinctly.
He wasa young man, well dressed,
and the face looking down at her
was frank and friendly.
First, tell me who you are? Yon
can't be one of my .
I'm Elpie-that is, / am Elspeth
Grey. Mr.. Kemp was my mothers
cousin, and he took me to live with
him when my father died; and since
Mr.. Kemp died have stayed with
Mrs. Kemp and her daughters and
helped them"
Helped them? How.
oh, with dresses, and-and other
things" faltered Elpie, frightened by
the fierceness OF his tone
well, they are all out tonight
aren't they? And the servants are
enjoying themselves down stairs, SO
we needn't he frightened. | am go
ing to tell you tremendous secret,
ilittle one. But first, tell me, are
those people kind to you? Do they
treat you as one Of themselves? Do.
they give you plenty of nice food.
pretty clothing, amusements?"
1Nulianna Josephine isis nice
sometimes faltered Elpie. She was
loyal httle. soul, and anxious to
hide the faults Of her relatives.
"And Matilda Lane. and the rest
OF this Fwell-principled household? 81
asked the young man, satiricaily.
II cam tell you any more" cried
Elpie. driven to bay. .till | know who.
you are.
That's easily told, little one. I
am Mt. Kemp's nephew, therefore
kind of cousin of yours" Elpie start
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 It should be left to me. When
my uncle died these infamous WON.
en- stepped In and took everything;
and yet l 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 1 have reason to
suspect it 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 1t in fear and trem.
bling and returned to her, seat. In
about quarter Of an hour Norman
Kemp re:entered flushed and excit-
cd.
Il have found it! There's nothing
like determination, little cousin. Con-
cealed-where do you think? In the
nap Of the cover OF the old family
Bible OF course. Mrs. Kemp will,
say she knew nothing of It," He be.
gan to read 1t, then uttered an e1-
clamation. And here's mention OF
you. little one. And whereas, have
undertaken to provide for my Cousins