The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1914-01-09

a sister of Mrs. VIM. H. Talbert Of
Buffalo, N. Y, one Of the leading
women Of the Federated Women's
Clubs.
and now you will be able to rest, and
dear, I have good news, no more
races or hard work. Your uncle has
concluded to let me have my rightful
share Of the property, and now you
will be able to finish your education"
ooh! Mother, will I truly be able
to continue my drawing and painting?
My teacher said could easily become
q great artist by careful study and
wanted to see some of my work that
1 had at home; but knew he would
discover my nationality, II he came
here, so I talked him out Of the visit"
Mrs. Clark looked sadly at her beau
Liful daughter as she made the last
remark, knowing 1t meant expulsion
from the art school If 1t were dis
covered that Marie had Negro blood
in her veins. Mrs. Clark was an
;octaroon with beautiful features and
possessed all of the ladylike qualities
to be found in any person Of good
blood. She had married man equally
of as good family, as fair as eau
casian, educated and intelligent, who
had chosen law as a profession. All
seemed so we'll and prosperous and
as they were quiet, unassuming peo-
pie, they lived within their means, and
we're able to buy the lovely little cot
tage in which they lived and maintain
a general servant. Little Marie was
their heart and only child, and their
plans had been to give her every ad.
vantage in education, so when she was
grown, she might look back with no
regrets. All went we'll until her
fourteenth year, when her father was
suddenly called home to his last rest.
ing place, and the widow was left to
carry out his plans. After the first
shock Of grief, they settled down to
the old way Of living, Marie, continu'
ing to remain in school. Mrs. Clark.
thinking all was we'll in her financial
affairs, contented herself with her
household duties, and with the help OF
faithful black Mandy, lived economical.
1y. She had her dreams Of the future,
thinking how she and Marie would go
far away and not have to bother about
the hated color line
One day, the uncle, Of whom we
have made mention, came with some
gentlemen to the little home. He had
her sign some papers, the nature Of
which she was not fully aware until,
when a few years after, Marie went to
the bank to draw the usual allowance,
she was Informed that Is was nearly
all gone.
When Mrs. Clark found out the par.
ticulars, she soon understood that she
had been cheated out Of the greater
part Of her little fortune. It was then,
Marie determined to help in every way
to tighten the burden; her mother also
became Ill and was an invalid for near.
ly year. Faithful Mandy was the
help in the time Of need and many
times the tears would course down her
cheeks as she prepared the daily
meals, to see how sad her mistress
and Marie would be; and often when
she pounded the beaten biscuit, she
wished It were the uncle that could
feel the weight Of her pestle in place
Of the dough. Mrs. Clark rang for
tea, and as It was so pleasant, re.
quested Mandy TO spread the table on
the porch, and there, in the evening
sunlight, with the sweet perfume Of
the honeysuckle, mother and daugh.
ter enjoyed their evening repast.
Mandy had added several extra good
things, as she was rejoicing over the
good fortune that was soon to follow.
She had Just entered with the little
silver coffee service and was about
to place It upon the table. when sud.
denly they were attracted by q com.
motion in the street. All ran down
the long walk, shaded by the row OF
cedar trees, to ascertain the outcome
Of an accident. Several men had
gathered by this time and were now
lifting man who had been riding IN
a car. A runaway team had crashed
into the automobile. As Mrs. Clark's
homo was the only place near, thsy