The Monticellonian., 1918-11-29
CHAPTER VIIl-Continued.

 got papas and mammas. Course l knowed that before, but it didn't seem-seem so hard as it does now" she confessed with sob.
 My dearl my dear!" cried Miss Amanda. dropping on her knees beside the little girl. don't talk so! l know your uncle must love you"
 "oh, Miss Mandy" gasped Carolyn May, don't you spese he loves other folks. too? You know-folks he'd be- gun to love ever so long agoF'
 The womans smooth cheeks burned suddenly and she stood up.
 I'm most sure he'd never stop lov- ing a person if he'd once begun to love 'em," said Carolyn May, with a high opinion of the faithfulness of Uncle Joes character
 Do you want to know if your Uncle Joe loves you?" she asked Carolyn May at last Do you?"
 "Oh dol" cried the little girl
 Then ask him. advised Miss Amanda. That's the only way to do with Joe Stagg, if you want to get at the truth. Out with it, square, and ask him."
 q will do it. Carolyn May said se- riously.
 After the child had gone the woman went back into the little cottage and her eountenanee did not wear the fare well smile that Carolyn May had looked back to see.
 Gripping at her heart was the old pain she had suffered years before and the conflict that had scared her mind so long ago was reused again.
 "Oh. Joel Oh. Joel How could you?" she moaned. rocking herself to and fro. How could you?"
 That very night the first snow furry of the season drove against the west window panes of the big kitchen at the Stagg homestead It was at supper time.
 'I declare fort" said MT. Stagg, T guess winters onto us, Aunty Rose.'
 This snow did not amount to much it was little more than hoar frost, as Mir. Stagg said. This might be how ever, the last chance for Sunday walk in the woods for some time and Carolyn May did not propose to miss it.
 On this day she earnestly desired to get him off by himself. for her heart was filled with a great purpose. She felt that they must come to all understanding
 On this particular occasion Uncle Joe sat down upon the log by the brook where Miss Amanda had once sat. Carolyn May stood before him.
 Am l just charity orphan? Didn't my papa leave any money a-tall for me- Did you take me just out of charityf'
 Bless me" gasped the hardware dealer
 IT wish you'd answer me, Uncle Joe" went on Carolyn May with | brave effort to keep from crying.
 Joseph Stagg was too blunt per son 10 see his way to lodging the question.
 Hum Well, I'll tell you, Car'lyn May. There isn't much left, and that's n fnct. IL isn't your fathers fault He thought there was plenty. But busi- ness he invested in got into bad hands and the little nest egg he'd laid up for his family was lost"
 ''Then-then nm just charity. And so's Prince" whispered Carolyn May. IT s'pose We could go to the poor house, Prince and me but they mayn't like dogs there. You're real nice to me, Uncle Joe; but Prince and me we really ere nuisance to you.''
 The man stared at her for q moment in silence, but the flush that dyed his cheeks was flush of shame.
 Don't you like 1t any more here with Aunty Rose and-and me?" he demanded.
 "Oh. yes! Only--only. Uncle Joe, don't want to stay. if we're d nuisance. Prince and me. don't want to stay. if you don't love me"
 Joseph Stagg had become quite ex- cited.
 Bless mel" he finally cried once more. How do you know I don't love you. Carolyn Navy
 "Why-why- But, Uncle Joe how fio l know you do love mel" demanded the little girl. You never told me so '"
 The startled man sank upon the log again.
 Well, maybe that's so," he mur- mured. T s'2ose 1t isn't ny way to be very-very-eoftlike. But listen here. Car'lyn May"
 "Yes, sir"
 T ain't likely to tell you very ire auently how much I-I think Of you.