Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-12-12
A Ward of Mrs. Lee ......
By Henry c. Rowland

about 1t. That, 1t seems to me. would
be TO purchase sentiment at too high
4 price. 1t would take the fortune we
do not possess to restore this Door old
molderlng house to any thorough de-
gree.
i know that Caroline and you will
be provoked with me, Justly perhaps.
because at this stringent moment I
nave just written a considerable check
Tor The House Of Guidance. The up-
keep was uncommonly high last year.
and some OF the others pledged with
me TO make up the deficit seem in
clined to repudiate their promises. No
doubt they have their reasons. But
you know, Tom dear, that we Lees
cannot Shlrk. Noblesse oblige. 1t can't
make q great deal of difference, as
there wouldn't be enough in any case
TO meet the mortgage, and 1 simply
can't let my poor little girls up river
De, as your dear father used to say,
The House of Guidance has turned
the TIDE OF many q girls future life, no
matter what people say about my put
tlng q premium on lazineSS and de-
tendency. If 1 can carry it on by per-
Sonal Sacrl11ce, then I intend to do so.
ON this account I think we had
all better plan to live abroad for the
next few years, simply, economically
and happily, as I know we shall. I
have just written your cousin Myra
nat my invitation to her to spend
the ummer here with q friend or two
remain n same, though we shall be
IN Europe. Myra is finishing her first
year at smith. She has always wanted
TO come, but would not do so until her
fathers death, through loyalty to him
because Of that silly old family quar-
rel. Pompey and Nanny Ann are de-
lighted at the idea of her being here
and the chasm closed. Nanny Ann,
you know, was born on Myra'S grand
fathers plantation down on the Cum
bahee.
1T is very doubtful, however, that
Mvra will care to come with us absent.
n sent me a recent photo, snapshot,
and l enclose it to you. She seems to
have the Lloyd looks and coloring
Light eyes and dusky hair, and a pretty
boyish face.
Shall hope to see you in a few days
in N. Y. Storning over in Washing
ton.
Dearest love,
MOTHER
Roxie saw a memoranda block that
had been under the letter and on which
were some notes in a shapely feminine
hand:
Check for House of Guidance, gar
, age.
Write Tom that Myra wires she is
engaged and to spend summer In
Maine.
Sell cars and horses, all but Tide
water Belle.
Observation-Disclosures of porticc
mended-spray clothes-new locks tc
windOw-doOrs.
Cancel order for speed launch.
; Passport photos"
All of these notes were checked off
Then at the bottom an entry: Tel
bank Myra's household bills are to be
paid, IN case she comes after all.
Write Myra."
; Roxie was conscious of a different
sentiment towards pretty Mrs. Lee
/, whom she had previously regarded as
p ~patronizing Lady Bountiful. Her
gaze went past the letter to the blot
ter, which was nearly fresh. A blurred
scrawl caught her eyes. She pickeo
up the blotter and carried it to a pier
glass. The reflection told her what
she most wanted to know. Legibly
enough 1t read.
Miss Myra Lloyd, Smith College
Northampton, Mass"
ROxie put on the red straw touue
She went back then to the attic anC
found and packed an old extension
valise that had IN it the lettering
IN. L." that stood for Mary Lee
or Myra Lloyd.
7 Then, being a strong and vigorou.
girl, she lugged her luggage down tn,
t stairs and through the front door anc
out on to the porch, closing the from
| door gently behind her. The old care
takers might or might not be asleel
/ somewhere IN the rear, but at any rat
r it was worth the effort. Roxie presse,
' the bell, and heard through the ute
stiffness a faint distant tinkle.
A moment later a hollow voic
rumbled from within:
f who dar?"
Its Miss Lloyd-Mrs. Lees niece"
t "Sho', Miss Myra, Miss May don
tell me yo' amt like to come" Pom
pey threw wide the door.
e Myra explained briefly that her trail
t had been delayed by a wreck. Pompe
carried up her bag to a guest roOn
g which he quickly put in order.
He made her comfortable and sal
good night, and that Nanny An
i would answer her bell in the mornin,
Roxie undressed and slipped betwee
o sheets that were soft and fine an
n lavender scented.
1t III.
Ut Roxie half awoke and lay wonderin,
n drowsily wondering where she coul
possibly be.
She sprang out of bed and, consume
S with a curiosity to see more of the ir
terror of this stately old house by day
If light, she slipped on a lace trimme
ly crepe negligee that she had selecte
,e with the rest of her equipment in tt
d attic, pushed her feet into a pair
)r velvet slippers, and stole out.
)r 1t was not probable that anyboc
sc would attempt to violate her sanctl
airy, Roxie thought, and even if son
chance caller were to come, a relati'
or family friend, 1t would appear frol
the letter that Myra Lloyd had unit
W quite recently been estranged from tt
n Lees through some family quarrel ar
ID would not, therefore, be subject
it Identification. Toms letter indicate
I'd also, that Myra must be Of a physic
E. type resembling that of Roxie. Rox
e. had never thought sentimentally
l. any man, but now, for some reaso,
e, her thoughts returned constantly
W Tom.
1t was not until she had gone bar
rs to her room after a prolonged ar