The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1914-11-27

1t was at this moment that she heard
the thunderous knocking at the door.
The old maid felt her heart stop
beating for a moment. Who could it
be, at this time of night? Then the
thought came swiftly that perhaps the
parent of some one of her charges was
Ill and this was the summons. Still
| ing her fears, she went resolutely to
the door and opened it.
who is it," she called.
No one answered. She cupped her
hand to her ear. She could hear the
clatter Of horses dimly.
Welt" she exclaimed; rather an
grily, too.
She was In the act of closing the
door when the light from the hall dis
covered to her the bundle on the
steps. She stopped and touched it.
Good heavens. it's a child"
She picked the bundle up. A whim-
per came from 1t, tired little whim-
per of protest. She ran back to the
reception room. A founding! And
on her doorstep 1t was incredible
What in the world should she do? 1t
would create scandal and hurt the
prestige of the school Some one had
mistaken her select private school
for farmhouse. 1t was frightful.
Then she unwrapped the child. 1t
was about a year old, dimpled and
golden haired. A thumb was in its
rosebud mouth and its blue eyes
looked up trustfully into her own.
why, you cherub!" cried the old |
maid, strange turmoil in her heart |
She caught the child to her breast, and /
then for the first time noticed the +
thick envelope pinned to the child's /
cloak. She put the baby into a chair
and broke open the envelope.
Name this child Florence Gray
will send annually a liberal sum for
her support and reclaim her on her
eighteenth birthday. The other half
me. Treat the girl we'll, for / shall
watch over her in secret"
Into the fixed routine of her hum
drum life had come mystery, a tan
talizing, fascinating mystery. She had
read of foundlings left on doorsteps
from paper covered novels confis-
Gated from her pupils-but that one
should be placed upon her own re +
spectacle doorstep Suddenly she
smiled down at the child and the
child smiled back. And there was
nothing more to be done except to
bow before the DEGREES of fate Like
all prim old maids, her heart was full
of unrequited romance, and here was
she might spend its floods
upon without let or hindrance. Al
ready she was hoping that the man or
who had left it might never
come back.
The child grew. Regularly each
year, upon a certain date, Miss Farlow
received a registered letter with
These letters came from all
parts of the world; always the same {
sum, always the same line-T am
Thus seventeen years passed; and
o Susan Farlow each year seemed
horter than the one before. For she ,
owed the child with all her heart. She
lad not trained young girls all these
ears without becoming adept in the d
TT of reading the true signs of breed
ny. There was no ordinary blood in
florence; the fact was emphasized
y her exquisite face, her small hands
nd feet, her spirit and gentleness.
nd now, at any day, some one with a II
roken bracelet might come for her. II
s the days went on the heart of Su-
an Farlow grew heavy.
Never mind, aunty," said Florence; u
shall always come back to see you" q
She meant 1t, poor child; but how CT
as she to know the terrors which lay Oh
syond the horizon?
The house of Stanley Hargreave, az
Riverda1e, was the house of no or
nary rich man. Outside it was SIM y
g enough, but within you learned
hat kind OF man Hargreave was.
1ere were rare ispahans and Saruks 1t
the floors and tapestries on the III
ais, and here and there a fine paint
g. The library itself represented q W
rtune. Money had been laid out Or
vishly but never wastefully. 1t was Sc
g home OF a scholar, dreamer. Ia
de traveller. I'M
In the library stood the master OF the so
use, idly lingering some papers 20
itch lay on the study table. He thu
rugged at some unpleasant thought, ne
tiled his overcoat about his shout tai
RS, took up his hat, and walked from sul
, room, frowning slightly. The but tai
, who also acted in the capacity OF ira
let, always within call when his sal
ster was about, stepped swiftly to WI
, hall door and opened it. gra
4 may be out late, Jones'" said rad
rgreave. the
Yes. SIR" to
stared into his face keen we
as II trying to pierce the grave
g to learn what was going on be- eye
d 1t. OV'
How long have you been with me-" wal
Fourteen years, sir" ma
Some day / shall need you" do'