Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1921-02-11

for months, and sometimes years, the
great house remained vacant save for
the old married servants who had
known service there in years gone by.
Robert had telephoned his brother
that he was tired Of the silent medita-
ton which led nowhere, and intended
to start that night for New York. He
wished his brother during his absence
to continue the search for his child,
and it was to consult with Robert that
Douglas resignedly left his city Office
and made his way out to the lonelyl
house on the hill.
Robert, discouraged, was more tact
turn and disagreeable than eyer, but
the pity for him still filed Douglas
heart and he realized that perhaps for
the first time he was seeing beneath
his brothers thorny disposition la
tent tenderness.
Suddenly, as he sat, light shone
from an opposite wing Of the rambling
building: then, plainly outlined in the
far window, was w0man's slim fig.
ure. Even as Douglas looked, the
woman stopped to pick up in her arms
a small golden-haired girl. The little
girl was Lily, Of that he was sure
the fair hair, the tininess Of her.
At least he would learn at once
what the unknown woman was doing
in the house which, but an hour ago,
his brothers housekeeper had assured
him was untenanted save by them.
selves. With his pocket searchlight he
'traversed the dark unfrequented halls,
and as he paused at the end Of the last
one, before him, like a vision shown
through the open door, stood a beauti.
full young womans and a clinging child.
The child was Lily. In a moment he
had entered the room. The woman's
face turned white and her arms
clasped the child closer.
"Who," she asked breathlessly, ARE
you? Why do you come here?''
II am Douglas Hartell," he an.
swered promptly, "and came to claim
that little girl. She is my brothers
child. You must know that. The pa.
pers have been filed with the case Of
her kidnapping. I must return the
question: Who are you and how do
you happen to be here?"
The girl considered her questioner,
her luminoJs eyes studying his face.
Then quietlSs she replied.s
H." she said, lam the kidnaper. l
stole the baby from her cOt-thrOugh
the balcony window-and hid here
because I knew that it would be the
last place Robert Hartell would think
Of searching"
Douglas tried to speak; he came
close to the culprit, as though forcibly
to detain her; but the softness of her
eyes was strangely disconcerting,
while the child caressed lovingly her
jailer. -
"You," he stammered. confess to
me"
To you," the girl answered calmly,
because I am going to ask you to
help me in c0ncealing Lily"
Douglas stared. It was all an IN
believable dream, the old bare room,
the lovely unknown girl, her strange
confession and the unexpected ending
Of his search.
listen" she said eagerly, II am
Jane Ware, the sister of your brothers
dead wife. You may have heard Of
me. though I never saw you. ..
II came to the city to care for my
sister before she died, and I learned
how that hard, soulless money making
man had treated her. Slowly killing
with his exactions and indifference.
And promised her then that her baby
should never be under the same con-
troll. SO, when Robert Hartell refused
to give Lily to me, stole her. And
I'd do it again. Your old servants
here have been brave enough to, har-
Dor as. They loved Lily's mother, and
they knew well her father. When
Robert Hartell shall have his lesson,
when he has learned how to be kind,
then only will I give Lily back to
him. You are not like your brother
somehow l know. Win you help me r
Douglas laid a caressing hand on tho
child's golden head, his other hand
clasped the girls, and AZ he looked
into her tear.flled eyes, his tone was
very tender.
II win." he said. tzM
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