Arizona republican., 1922-06-18
CHAPTED XXI

SI1AHlED AAAl
Home at last.
The sharp screech of the engine,
the grating of iron wheels as the
train slowed down at the station, in
terrupted her thoughts. and she hur-
ried from her seat, the first to leave
the train.
Tonight Olive did not walk across
the daisy field but grasping her bag
she quickly made her way down the
street and into the house where the
old man sat alone, only his dog for
company
MY child! You came quickly" he
said as he took her into his arms.
Mother" fearfully she asked.
She is better. She sat up for a
while today. She is still awake"
Til go right up." Olive interrupt
ed, and running lightly up the stairs
was soon clasped in loving embrace,
her fears almost quieted by Mrs. Lees
declaration that she was better and
now that her daughter had come
would soon be we'll.
After bit Olive went down and
left her mother to sleep. She got
herself bite of supper then, after
father had voiced his nightly petition,
had read a chapter from the worn
Bible. she went to bed
In the morning II mother were bet
ter she would tell them. Then when
she returned to New York, Godfrey.
and-the rest would know. Already
she sensed this new father would not
allow his finding her to be kept a Sc
cret although such thought had
come to her-secret from her friends
who thoroughly believed Mr.. and Mrs.
Lee her own father and mother.
Several times during the night
Olive crept to the door of her moth
er's room and was comforted to find
her sleeping quietly. But she did not
sleep at all. her mind continually
running to meet the effect upon the
two who so loved her of what she had
to tell
She knew they would be glad for
her. That was their way. But for
themselves? Would they be willing
to share her. her affection, her time,
her thoughts with this strange father
who meant nothing to her save as his
story and his delight in finding her
had stirred her. while the two who
had reared her meant everything.
When it was time to arise she
thrust aside the fretting thoughts and
with smiling lips, but resolute eyes.
went down to breakfast. Mr.. Lee had
made arrangements with a village
woman to help while his wife was i'll.
Breakfast over, Olive said:
Come upstairs, father, have
samething to tell you and mother"
Without a word he picked up the tray
Olive had prepared and preceded her
to the invalid's room.
II see / am to have company at
breakfast this morning" Mrs. Lee
said brightly. "If you spoil me this
way shall not have much incentive
to get downstairs"
II have something to tell you and
father, so I brought him up" Olive
returned as she bent and kissed Mrs
Lee and then arranged the breakfast
on the stand beside the bed. Il was
afraid father would be busy later"
What is it, dear-don't hesitate to
warning seemed to come to Mrs Lee
for she turned even paler than her
illness had left her.
Unused to equivocating. especially
with them. Olive said quietly. keeping
q strong hold on her emotion:
Il have found my-the man whose
child I am. I call him my new father,
and had a mother, lovely woman
who died when another child, boy.
was born: died of grief over me- six
months after l was stolen. The boy
lived, and so / have found a brother,
too"
"Olive-are you sure?' 1t was Mr.
Lee who asked the question. "Have
you proof that this man is your
father?" This last word dragged
from unwilling lips.
Yes. and-look!" She laid the