Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-12-10
xxx.

Michael had slept perhaps an hour
when he was rouse by the sound Of
voices, a sharp, hateful one with an
unpleasant memory in it, and a sweet,
clear one that went to his very SOUL.
"Sit down here, Aunt Frances.
and Michael has not yet returned
without fear of being heard" >
Michael. Michael!" shifted the
voice. well. that's what 1 came to
talk to you about. I didn't want to
say anything out there where the
chauffeur could hear; he is altogether
too curious and might talk with the
servants about it. Il wouldn't have it
get out for the world. Your mother
would have been mortified to death
about all this. and Igcan't see what
your father is thinking about. He
where you were concerned"
"Aunt Frances" a.
We'll, I can't help it. He doesn't.
Now take this matter of your being
down here, Inc the very thought of
you're calling that fellow Michael-as
if he We're a cousin or something!
Why. it's simply disgusting! 1 hoped
you were going to stay out West until
your father was well enough to go
away somewhere with you; but now
that you have come back I think you
ought to leave here at once People
will begin to talk, and 1 don't like it.
Why, the fellow will he presuming or
it to be intimate with YOU"
: Michael was suddenly reused to the
fact that he was listening to "a con
%versation not intended for his ears,
and yet he had no way OF getting out
of hearing without passing the door
in the front of which the two women
were seated. Both the dining-room
door and the stairs were on the other
side Of the room from him and he
would have to run the risk of being
seen by either or both of them If he
attempted to. cross to them. The win
dows were screened by wire nailed
over the whele length. so he could NO
hope to get successfully out OF any OF
them. There was nothing for it but
tc lie still, and pretend to be asleep
if they discovered him afterwards. i
was an embarrassing Situation but il
was none of his choosing.
There was a slight stir outside
Starr had risen and was standing with
Ter back to the doorway.
Aunt Frances! What do yot
|mean? Michael is our honored ani
respected friend. our protector--oul
-nOSCs LINK WIldL ne ulu lOE papa
Risked his ilife!"
"stuff and nonsense! Risked hi
life. He took the risk for perfectl!
good reasons He knew how to worn
himself into the family again
J Aunt Frances! I will not hear yo,
say such dreadful things. Michael i
a gentleman, well-educated, with tn
highest ideals and principles. II yo'
knew how self-sacrifcing and kind HI
is!"
Kind, yes kind.s shifted the aunt
'.and what will you think about !
/ when he asks YOU TO marry him ? vii
you think he is kind to offer you
I share in the inheritance of q nobod.
"a NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. child Q
the Sums? IL you persist in you
1 presently have all New York gossip
Ing about you, and Their when you ar
in disgrace-I suppose you will turl
to nse 70 help you u Of ~"
Stop, cried Starr. 81 will no
e listen to another word. What do yol
Z mean by disgrace? There could b
Q no disgrace in marrying Michael. tn
e girl who marries him will be the hap
pfest woman.iin the whole world. II
!, ~ good and true and unself1sh to tn
3 heartss There isn't the slightes
: danger of his ever asking mcto MARI
him. Allnt Frances, because 4 arrs yer
z stre heeloyes another girl and is en-
: gaged ~ marry her; and she - e mic
9 ne Wekes free and asked me to mar
him Il MOnId feel - proud and fla
lliae ~ prince Of the highest realr
L fhaA saSked me toaehsre his throne Wit
hin. Nould rather marry llicha4
X1l&