The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-18

tion and of intellect which brought her many admirers in spite of her humble surroundings. Willie Sullivan grew up, also, to be a trusted clerk In the employ of a rich and prosper ous Boston merchant-one of those old time mercnants who had storehouses on Tea Wharf and agencies in the East Indies. There were merchants in those days and romance in trade.
 Willie was sent out by his employer, MT. Clinton, to manage the branch house in Calcutta. Of course Willie and Gertrude swore eternal fidelity and built aircastles together out of the dreams of what they would do when Willie should return, rich beyond tDle dreams of avarice. from the golden and gorgeous East. And Gerty promised to look after his mother, Mrs. Sullivan, and his grandfather, the grabbed old sexton who lived with his daughter.
 So seas and continents divided Willie Sullivan and Gertrude and more years rolled on their way into the infinite. Poor old Uncle True suffered another shock" and died attended to his last nOuT Wllu uDS WtINluS llutllly duu ltH- derness by Gertrude. Emily Graham was the good anger of the household In these limos of trouble and deaNh. When Trueman Flint had. at . st passed Ito where beyond these voices there is peace" she took Gertrude home with her. She was to be a companion to her, an adopted daughter-some one whom she could rely upon and upon whom she could expend that affection overflowing in her gentle nature. MT. Graham, stern man, but a man who really loved his daughter, welcomed Gertrude to his household, because her presence was solace to Emily. The housekeeper-for MT. Graham was widower-was soyred, grabbed per son, who had been largely instrumental in past times in parting Emily from the man she loved-Philip Amory. Nat urally, Mrs. Ellis hated and persecuted Gertrude. But in that school Gerty learned to control the fiery temper which she had inherited and which would sometimes, in spite of her best efforts, break out in her speech and ac- tions. And all this time Gertrude did not know her own name, who was her mother nor who was her father.
 The Graham family were at their coun- try house when Gertrude received a let ter from Mrs. Sullivan, saying that her father was very i'll. Gertrude. mindful of her promise to Willie. immediately an nounced her intention of going to Bos- ton and helping Mrs. Sullivan take care of the old man. MT. Graham was in- dignant. He was planning a trip to the south, and. did not see why Gertrude should desert his daughter to go to the aid of Mrs. Sullivan. Deeply wounded as she was by the attitude assumed by Mir Graham-who called her ungrateful and sorry to leave Emily. Gertrude. nevertheless, went to the tenement of the Sullivans.
 Old MT. Cooper, the sexton, died, and then Mrs. Sullivan herself was taken sick and died Gertrude was now quite alone in the world again. She had left the safe shelter of the house of the rich merchant and must support herself. But her reso- lute spirit never wavered. She secured position as school teacher and Tor some time made modest living. From time to time came letters from Willie Sullivan telling of his success in India and Of the bright future which awaited himself and his beloved when he should return. Then suddenly the letters ceased. He has for gotten me-" thought Gertrude, and went on with her days work.
 Mir. Graham, on his southern trip, had married again. His last wife was woman not at all congenial to his blind daughter, and he, stern though he was, was so filled with affectionifor Emily that he besought Gertrude to become once