Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-02-18
IN ANCESTRAL HALLS.
BY Francis A. Core

Copyright, 1911, by the Assoclateu
Literary Press).
Pausing just outside the massive
gateway. Leslie Graham gazed visit
fully at the picturesque old mansion
and the lovely, tangled garden.
This charming place should have
been her home. 1t had been in the
Graham family for 200 years. But
her present abode was the hall bed
room of a cheap lodging house; ana
her crochety old grandmother dwelt
alone in the ancestral halls with
small retinue of servants.
Thrice had Leslie written within
six months making overtures toward
a reconciliation. But her letters mad
been promptly returned with the two
words, mot wanted" Endorsed upon
the back.
Leslie herself was not to blame for
this unfortunate state of affairs. The
trouble dated X twenty years back
before her day-when Madame Ora
hams only son married pretty
actress, and the proud old woman had
disowned him. He was dead now;
so was the pink doll for whose love ne
had sacrificed himself; but not even
his daughters poverty and friendll-
ness had softened madame's obdurate
heart. :,
.I'ye half mind to 60 and tell
grandma I've come to stay" she said
aloud. to herself. The aristocrattc
old place drew her like magnet. IT
would be like heaven to live there.
She turned her back on the allur-
ing picture, and slowly wended her
way to the dreary boarding house..
As she gained the upper landing
Amy Burton opened the door OF her
own room, showing litter OF half
packed trunks and empty boxes.
Come in, Leslie" she said eagerly.
'Im in trouble, and you can help me
cut. I heard you say yesterday tnat
-fou were out of place. applied TO
Madame Graham, Of Overlook, Tor the
position Of companion. Word mas
lust come that I am to report FOR duty
Immediately and here's telegram
from home saying mother is very Ill
and I'm wanted there"
Amy crushed the yellow. envelope
neryously in her hand, pale with emo
ton. o.,
What do you want me TO 40
Leslie articulated family.
GO to Overlook and keep the place
until ] return to claim it,
Leslie clutched chair to STEADY
herself. She did not believe IN
chance, but she did believe in Provl'
dence. For all she was Graham. II
was certain that Amy had never
thought of this fact in connection
with the aristocratic mistress OF over
look. She did not take her friend into
her confidence now. What she did say,
after a moments thinking, was TINS:
very WELL Amy, I'll co.
An hour later she stood again at the
Overlook gate, looking into the lovely
green tangle. This time the gate was
Closed. AS she tugged at the ponder
Gus latch a perfectly groomed young
man in white flannels rose from d
bench beside the drive and hurried
forward. ,.
"Allow me-" he said politely, ana
swung wide the gate.
warm color leaped into the g1rIs
face. She went up the shaded walk
wondering who the stranger could pe
and what he was doing atlOverlook.
She was shown into an old fasn'
toned room where Madame Graham
sat in a high backed chair. Never
had Leslie seen her grandmother at
such short range before. she looked
curiously at the little, wrinkled OLD
woman, thinking what a picturesque
figure she was in her lustrless olacK
silk and priceless laces.
what's your name?" Madame shot
the question at her like bullet. i
have forgotten tiff I was ever tod.
simpkins engaged you.
There was moments pause. here
was difficulty at the outset. she
could net give Amy Burton's name;
neither would she take one to Whlcn
she had no right.
"Ieslie.' she answered recklessly.
Madame started. Her keen blue
ewes became suddenly two points OF
light. ,.ro ~.
"That's my own name, Leslie era
ham" She gave short laugh. MY
mother was Leslie. There were no
boys in the family, so was given a