The Press., 1922-11-16
All Signed and Witnessed
By MARTHA WILLIAMS

6apa08pH S 1922. by Mcclure Newspaper synoica'e'
 "Nos that 1t matters" Marcia sald' v,stfully. ..Nothing can ever really matter-now."
 "A fine way to talk-after all thats been done for you" her stepmotner answered harshly. "YOu seem to thlnh nobody ever lost father before. lie was good man-rm not denying Cha1 but I do think, after slavin anu slayin' for him a matter of ten years, he mIghta seen to 1t I shouldn't be lett with no dower-nOthin' but my year provision, horse, COW, SOW ana plgs and a passel of house plunder. lie hnew-I dIdn't-the land went to you when he died." ..
 "Please don't. You didn'IoVe him, Marcia said wearily. "You know What I promised-that you should have u home here as long as you needed or wanted it. He felt that was the iast of his debts I am glad 1t was |the only one-because it is one can pay
 "Humph! That isn't worth +hanky." Mrs. Lane said, sourly. "You'n be up and marry first thing l know-and want the place all to your self, I can't blame ye-farm1n' Wlth no man person about is hard Work and a lOsin' business. Lonesome, De- sides. Buff you mean what you said I'll make this bargain: Give me the money could raise on dover claim and maybe speck more-lll set up a boarding house in town' taKe you along to help-and both Of us can see something besides chickens ana COWS and sech like-and be evertast- ingly done with hired men,"
 ''You know have not the money Marcia answered duly.
 Mrs. Lane sniffed audibly. "YouVe got land, clean and clear-you can raise money If you will, even though you're a year under age. Squire Bemls says so. I talked to him about 1t, walkin' from the graveyard. Fact IS he offered to lend me $3,OOO-if you'll agree to stand for it-said he knOw'd your fathers child would keep hel | passed word"
 Marcia, visibly dropping, sat sud denly erect, saying energetically: "l am sorry you spoke to nim-1 woulc not touch a cent of his money, not Ii he made a free gift, and l was start ing to the other side of the world"
 "Hoity toity! So this is how vol live up to what you promised" Mrs Lane exploded. Marcia faced her val 1 iantly-something within had burned away the pliant softness of crushing | grief. That Is not true, and you knOV | It." she said. "I promised home but not to beggar myself making 1t t. your liking. You know that would b. the end Father knew; he would neve l touch Bemis' money, because he kne1 that greedy old spider wanted tn land"
 And now his crazy wife's dead reckon he wants you, tOo," Mrs. Lan retorted. Hell get you, too, if yo don't mind your eye"
 "A mistake all round," Marcia sal icily, but with deep flush. "Now let settle things" she went on. "I sha stay here at home, head of all thing: You can stay, too-as my guests | long as you choose
 "What! Me take orders from chi like you?" Mrs. Lane shrieked.
 Marcia smiled grimly. ''1f l giv them" she said. q hope never to giv one My hope and wish is that we ma live pleasantly together. Even if. yo were not my fathers widow, I kno what Is due a guest"
 Speeches. with wrath, Mrs. Lar flounced away, disappearing in u blOssomy intricacies of the, Orchar It was thick dark when she came i
 high and aloof of manner, and went
 the guest room as of right, stiffly r
 fusing offers of light and food. B
 morning light showed her rumpl'
 plumage smoothed. Prompt at u
 breakfast table, she ate in her fine
 company manner, crooking her lit
 finger delicately over the handle of h