Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-03-08


| knocking.
"Well, Estelle, can I come fn?' Ell
len was inside the great, cold hall as
she asked the question.
"Come into the library. I've got a
nice fire there" said Estelle, leading
the way down the hall to door in
the south wing.
Mrs. Smith sank heavily into the
rocker and loosened the veil tied over
her head. She cast quick glance
around the room and noted that Estelle
was mending a linen pillowcase.
There was a lack Of evidence of the
usual preparations for the first day OF
the new year.
"Of course you're going to open the
| house somorrow ar usual" said Mrs.
Smith shrrptly.
Estei'e hasi'eo ano bent closer over
the pilIowcas> s,s wsr darning. No"
was her reply 'rhe house doesn't
belong to me any longer"
"Who owns it?" demanded Ellen
sternly.
"The man who owns tie mortgage.
Haskins Bros. are his agents"
"And a pretty pair Of rascals they
are.' cried Ellen Smith. suddenly
bursting into tears over Estelle's trou-
bles. I'm not going to ask you how
it happened. I dare say you couldn't
keep it-not with Haskins Bros. in the
deal-only you know l shall expect
you to come and keep me company
until you decide what to do
Estelle laughed and cried all at once
as she took Ellen's toll worn hands in
her own. keep you company. indeed.
AS If you could be lonesome with { q
children! But l understand, and II
come, Ellen. am to settle the r:'t-
ter day after tomorrow, and after 'hat
they will give me three months to va
cate The place really does not Ice
long to me after tonight
"You will have to sell off some of
the furniture expect" muttered FL
len diffidently.
yes" admitted Estelle sadly. "You
know when father died, Ellen. be beg
ged me to hold on to the place at any
cost. He-he thought ISmight marry
some day. but. Of course. that is all
nonsense" Estelle blushed and turn
ed her head away; then. with proud
shake Of her shoulders, she resumed:
There was tiny sum left in the
bank, so ! mortga ged the house and
have been living on that. / know 1t IS
| thriftless, but there was no work for
me in Lanelea. and | promised father
to stay and always keep the house
| omen, but it will have to go now."
And. Of course, Henry Haskins will
ingly let you have the money and was
nice about waiting for the interest be-
cause this is the finest property in
! Lanelea and worth waiting for" cried
Ellen Smith bitterly. IF | had only
known before | might have helped
YOU"
With an ill framed excuse she has
tened away, first exacting promise
| from Estele to come to her house and
help receive. Although it was draw
| ing near mealtima and her hungry
brood would be watching for her mo-
mentary arrival. Ellen Smith made
her way toward the courthouse, where
she was fortunate enough TO find Judge
Mason still in his office.
Her interview with the rather stern
faced judge lasted for an hour, ana
when she left the Office her counte-
I nance beamed with delight mt salts
factorily accomplished duty. Il al
ways knew there was somebody Estelle
might have married and. from his face
when | mentioned her name know
| New Years day dawned cold ana
| cloudy. There was not much 1ncllna-
| tion to leave warm stoves and go a.
calling, but still there was an incen-
| tive in the form OF alluring refresh
ments as well as alluring daughters in
many households.
Estelle shed bitter tears as she wan
derad through the lonely rooms. repeo-
pling them with beloved forms, reliv-
ing old days when happiness had been
such a drug in her youthful market
that she had carelesSy flung some or
It aside. 3ftcrward she came to re-
alize that it was Il precious part or the
delicate fabric of bliss that IS woven
into every ones life. Evan Mason had
left Lanelea and returned only year
ago gray haired and with legal hono"s
thrust upon him. She had avoided
mr..irr with him. an,l 81 :hpy h"d hot
met.
Estelle had thought perhaps some
one might come, bui HE storm was eX-
cuse enough. and there were no paths
dug around the Freeman place.
lust rs dusk fell there came re-
sounding peal at the dooT.'rl'. Estelie
.4es..-lthe lamp III the library. where
she had ro' sitting in tie twilight.
and lighted the red s-,and lamp in the
hall AS she orened the dc"t -,.n
came in as though driven EefCre the
storm.
It was Evan Mason.
When they faced each ether in the
library the Judge held cut hand TO
the woman he had so hopel>ssly loved
in the past.
II came to bring you New Year
| gift, Estelle." he said gravcly. The
mortgage on your house has been pald
/ Nay. do not refuse me. You must know
t | owe my career and everything nave
and am today TO your fathers ,generos
: ,ity. | only dare wish you might give
!, me New Years gift in return.
: "If only could began Estelle II"
f nulsively. and then her eyes droopec
: hona.tb tho meaning in his faithful
faIforp1