The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1919-01-03
CHAPTER vIlI-contlnued.
10

10
$50, you see," added the child, II am
charity. I'm not like other girls that's
got papas and mammas. Course /
knowed that before, but 1t didn't
seem-seem so hard as it does now"
she confessed with a sob.
my deari my dearl" cried Miss
Amanda, dropping on her knees beside
the little girl, "don't talk SO! / know
your uncle must love you"
ooh, Miss MandyV" gasped Carolyn
May. don't you s'pose he loves other
folks, too? You know-folks he'd be-
gun to love ever so long agor
The woman's smooth cheeks burned
suddenly and she stood up.
I'm most sure he'd never stop low
ing a person If he'd once begun to
love EN-" said Carolyn May, with a
high opinion of the faithfulness of
Uncle Joes character.
'Do you want to know If your Uncle
Joe loves Your she asked Carolyn
May at last. do you"
''0h, I dor cried the little girl.
'Then ask him." advised Miss
Amanda. "That's the only way to do
with ice Stagg, If you want to get
at the truth. Out with 1t, square, and
ask him."
II win do IT," Carolyn May said Sc
riously.
After the child had gone the woman
went back into the little cottage and
her countenance 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
30 long ago was reused again.
"Oh, joel Oh, Joe! How could
your" she moaned. rocking herself to
and fro. slow could your"
That very night the first snow furry
Of the season drove against the west
window panes Of the big kitchen at the
Stage homestead. 1t was at supper
time.
II declare fort" said Mr.. Stage. Il
guess winters onto us, Aunty Rose"
This snow did not amount to much ;
It was little more than a hoar FROST as
MFR. Stage 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 of by himself. for her
heart was filled with great purpose.
She felt that they must come to an
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 I Just charity orphanf Didn't
my papa leave any money a-tall for
NET Did you take me Just out OF
eharftyr'
"Bless mer gasped the hardware
dealer.
IL wish you'd answer me, Uncle
joe" went on Carolyn May with a
brave effort to keep from crying.
Joseph Stage was too blunt a per-
son to see his way to lodging the
question.
s'Humi Wen. III tell you. Car'lyn
May. There isn't much left, and that's
a fact. II Isn't your fathers fault. he
thought there was plenty. But busl-
ness he invested In got into bad hands
and the little nest egg he'd laid up for
his family was lost"
'Then-then I am Just charity. And
SOS Prince whispered Carolyn May.
I'll s'pose we could go to the poor
house, Prince and me; but they mayn't
ike dogs there. You're real nice 20
me. Uncle Joe; but Prince and me-
We really are a nuisance to you"
The man stared at her for a moment
N silence. but the flush that dyed his
cheeks was q flush Of shame.
Don't you like It any more here
with Annty Rose and-and metz he
demanded.
~Oh. yesl only-only. Uncle Joe. !
Don't want to stay. II we're a nuisance.
Prince aud me don't want to stay. II
20 don't lore nA-