The Paonia newspaper., 1911-03-10

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; and
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 had
been promptly returned with the two
words. Not wanted" indorsed upon
the back
Leslie herself was not to blame for
this unfortunate state of AFFAIRS. The
trouble dated twenty years back-be-
fore her day-when Madame Graham s
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 he had sac
rificed himself: but not even his
daughters poverty and friendliness
had softened madame's obdurate
heart
I've half a mind to go and tell
grandma I've come to stay" she said
aloud. to herself The aristocratic old
place drew her like a magnet. 1t
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 a litter OF half
packed trunks and empty boxes.
Come In, Leslie" she said eagerly.
I'm in trouble. and you can help me
out. I heard you say yesterday that
you were out Of place. | applied to
Madame Graham. OF Overlook. for the
position of companion. Word has
Just come that / am to report for
duty imm ediately. and here's tele-
gram from home saying mother is
very Ill and I'm wanted there"
Amy crushed the yellow envelope
nervously In her hand. pale with emo
ton.
What do you want me to do7"
Leslie artfculatetd family.
60 to Overlook and keep the place
until I return to claim H."
Leslie ciutched q chair to steady
herself. She did not believe in chance.
but she did believe in Providence.
For all she was . Graham. II was GER
tain that Amy had never thought Of
this fact In connection with the aris-
tocratic mistress Of Overlook. She did
no take her friend into her confidence
now. What she did say. after a mo-
ments thinking. was this:
Very well. Amy. I'll 60"
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
ous latch a perfectly groomed young
man In white nannels rose from n
bench beside the drive and hurried
forward.
Allow me-" he said politely. and
swung wide the gate.
A warm color leaped into the girls
face. She went up the shaded walk
wondering who the stranger could be
and what he was doing at Overlook.
She was shown into an oldfash-
ioned 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
f1gure she was In her lusterless black
silk and priceless laces.
What's your name7" Madame shot
the question at her like a bullet Il
have forgotten it-if was ever told
Simpkins engaged you"
There was a moments pause. Here
was a difficulty at the outset She
could not give Amy Burton's name:
neither would she take one to which
she had no right.
Leslie" she answered recklessly.
Mademe started. Her keen blue
eyes became suddenly two points Of
light
That's my own name. Leslie Ora
ham" She gave a short laugh. MY
mother was a Leslie. There were no
boys in the family. SO I was given a
name that should belong to a boy. Just
Ito keep It in daily use. But / guess
II suits me. | hate feminine names.
You're not a Westmoreland Leslie. of
lcourse?"
The sharp eyes were focused on
the girls face. Leslie felt her heart
lin her throat. But she was spared
the necessity Of replying by the en-.
trance Of the man who had opened
lfha Uata for har