The Washington herald., 1914-06-26
DAILY SHORT STORY.
BLIND.
BY MARTHA M'CULLOCH-wILL
IAMS.

By MARTHA M'CULLOCH-wILL-
| IAMS.
(Copyright, l9l4)
Anne Maria, what are you giving me ??
Susan demanded with a giggIe and a
| coaxing finger upon her aunt's shocked
face. The two were comrades. so COM
radely Miss Norton would not have
minded either the slang or the familiar
ity-if only there had not been a third
party within earshot- Susan's step
mother. Of all persons! A prim lady who
had suspected that her husbands sister
was bringing up his daughter in the way
she should not go.
Now she said. acidly. pursuing her lips
between words: IF I-may advse-your
father will-send you-at once"
Susan shrugged. saying airily: Better
not! Costs a iot-fare to Glendale-and
I'll come away inside a week-see II I
don'tr"
Hush. honey" Miss Norton inter
posed.
Mrs. Norton. the stepmother. got red
with anger. You might find that-dif-
ficult." she said biting her lips. IF you
go there under lcompulsion-well. your
father will be wise enough to explain"
NO need. None at all. II there were
I'd save him trouble" Susan said, out
wsrdIy tranquil, though her heart beat
very fast. ''Remember-Tn be eighteen
before term time there-old enough to
choose-my guardian or my husband"
Darling child, Don't say such wild
things" Miss Norton gasped.
Her sister-in-law was livid. Perhaps
you have already chosen" she ventured
at random.
Susan nodded. smiling meekly. I'm
time of peace prepare for war;" she
qUoted-then her lips beginning to CULVER:
what makes you try so hard to make
me hateful. madame? You know I don't
want to slur my dear dad, nor vex Anne
Maria-Td let them walk over me cheer
fully-if 1t wasn't for you"
The last word was strangled in
sob, after which Anne Maria took her
forcibly away. soothing and comforting
her until she saw her mounted and gal
Ioping down the lane. II the meek shall
inherit the earth Anne Maria was a
great heiress-stilI she could be reused
and this was one of the times. The
masterfuI Nine. Norton had hitherto so
dominated her upon their infrequent en-
counters she had all but effaced herself
even in her own house. This time she
turned about and deliberately confronted
that lady. who sat propped in a big rock
er, viewing the departure with proper
scorn. Il am nearly as sorry for Susan
rs angry WIN neTs Ine SIepulOLneT De-
gan before Miss Norton could speak
"She is not really so much to blame-it's
the way she has been brought up
so you have told me before, but not
in words" Miss Norton flung back. I'm
glad you've spoken IT setly-it makes my
part easier"
Indeed! And that is?" Nine. Norton
Queried. ITO tell you what l know and
what I mean to do IL have to-" came
the answer. Il know you want Susan
her fortune, rather-for that googIe-eyed
nephew OF yours-that preacher-thing!
Well, You shan't have her-nor 1t. And
II I hear any further talk of Glendale.
which is a semi-genteer prison. rather
than a girls college, Pr marry my girl
to the first decent fellow l can find"
In that case madame said icily. ris-
ing and bowling, II must ask permission
to communicate instantly with my hus-
band. May I call over your phone for
a long-distance connection? OF course.
1 shall pay for it,
The suffix was but an added insult. Miss
Norton nodded-she was past speech. But
she was far too thoroughbred not to keep
cut OF earshot throughout the time of
conference. vitality as she was interested
in what passed over the wire. II made
her actually sick to have madame come
out smiling and saying: Your brother
will be here on the midnight train-by
his express request. and only in Difference
10 it'll must trespass so much longer
upon your hospitality" ;.
Miss Norton bowed. II she had let
herself speak. she would have cried out:
You lie! You are staying here on guard,
To thwart and harry my poor lamb"
Such speech could not help. Instead OF
II, she must think-hard. Walking al
ways cleared things in her mind. She
snatched a sun hat and set OF through
the orchard TO take counsel with her next
neiEhbor.
II madame had known OF him, but fate
plays her own hand. His eyes darted blue
hame when he had heard the whole story.
full nor oldish. he had q compelling