The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-10-12
CHAPTER li-continued.

or ner anger anu lIlShI'
Hudson came suddenly down 10
earth. WELL" he announced, Minnie
will have to choose between us-lhe
child or me. | won't have her, thats
fat. If you'll leave her, I'll take
YOU with me-if not, I'm done with
your
Something in her mothers lifted face
frightened Ann, and she found resoiu-
ton for further defiance. I'VE uon
want to 60 with you." she declared pas
siouately. "You can go off TO Europe
nv vonrseIf Well stay here"
She ehded on a softened note, and she
turned her eyes slantingly on her new
friend. She thought that he recelVeu
this declaration somewhat colby, anu
her heart skipped a beat miserably. de
was looking at his brother with an eA-
preston that terrified her.
what do you wish. Mrs. CortlandtF
he demanded.
81 don't know!" she sobbed. Il am
so unhappy How can 1 go? :.
How can | stay?" She looked impior-
ingly from Ann to her husband. before
she buried her face in minute pocket
handkerchief.
Hudson Cortlandt was softened by
this wailing appeal II am willing 20
look after the girl" he said uncom-
fortably. "You could leave her in good
hands"
Mrs. Cortlandt looked up with
CLEAN of returning cheerfulness. Il
suppose | might" she murmured
81 don't see why you can't send her
back where she came from; it will be
the same for her as if you had never
married me, except that her keep will
be paid. We sail in week.
he added briskly. He was obviously
glad not to break with the pretty crea-
ture he had married. He turned to his
brother with specious relief in his
manner. 'It is all perfectly simple
after all-isn't it,"
Mr.. Hendricks Cortlandt looked at
him for a moment, and Ann wondered
if it was something in his steady gaze
that caused the younger man to drop
his eyes uneasily. At length he said,
'I shall be alone here when you are
gone. 1t is possible that I
might, for a time, undertake the re-
sponsibility of Miss Ann-with the un-
Outstanding, of course, that you will,
later on. relieve me-" He turned to
the silent child. Would you like to
stay with me?" he asked gently.
Ann felt the tears burn against her
eyelids. so she only nodded. She felt
miserably certain that he did not want
her. He turned to Mrs. Cortlandt 81
assure you. madam, that your daugh-
ter will be as well cared for as lies in
my power. Perhaps little girl in my
home may prove blessing. Eth, Miss
Ann?"
The child was spared the difficulty
of an answer, for at the moment when
she felt that a supreme effort of some
sort was expected of her, the library
door swung open, and high clear
voice cried, "Do intrude, Hendricks?"
"GadI" said Hudson. Its Clarissa 7"
Ann was conscious of general dis
may, and that it centered mysteriously
on her.
She had never known anyone could
be so lovely as the lady who appeared
in the high doorway. Her hair was
warmly brown. and shining; it hung
about her face in artful and compli-
Gated arrangements, and her eyes were
shining and quick and pretty. above
her bright pink cheeks. Compared
with its brittle elegance her mothers
hard country thinness had a common
look. She laughed as she came down
the room. showing pretty white teeth.
"a family jar already, Hudson?" she
demanded, sending quick and amused
glances from her embarrassed brother
TO his limp bride. "Doves In their lit
tie nest, you known She turned re
Mr.. Cortlandt and her darting loob
dropped TO Ann, who stood pressed
close beside him.
"Why-where did you find that
Hendricks?" she queried, her voice
suddenly shrill. and all the smilin.
sweetness gone from her eyes.
.This Is Miss Ann Byrne, Clarissa
and fate has sent her to me-"
"You meanT
"She is Hudson's stepdaughter, bu
IT has been arranged that she is t.
stay here with me-"
Mrs. Renneslyer swung around II
her younger brother, with a grea
swirl OF blue gauze skirts. "So!" sh,
cried. ''This is what your mad mar
rage has done! A child-left her,
with Hendricksw
81 believe that l am glad to hav,
her, Clarissa." Mr.. Cortlandt inter
vened. ALREADY 1 am charmed will
her."
Charmed" Her eyes swept An,
from her untidy red hair to her shah
billy shod feet, and she laughed in
credulously. "You are making tn,
best of it-that is evident-but VIII,
should she stay with you? Can't Hud
son assume his responsibilities? If yo,
want child about-and / am sure
don't understand why you do-there'
my Hendricks. or little Fanny Cort
landt."
"rhat will do, Clarissa ~ Mr.. Cori
landt spoke so sternly that Ann shranl
back, frightened. ITO what are W
indebted for the honor of this visitY'
81 have a lOge at WaIlack's thea
ter tonight; came In to see IL Hut
son sad my charming new sister-ir