Molly Brown's Orchard Home

l and gazing into the black depths of water, he emitted a sigh that seemed to come from his soul. Suddenly a woman joined him. Molly was still half asleep, thinking of the or

id me? Can't you let

ngton: letting bygones be bygones. It seems

ds very cold and formal

uch of the name of Lizzie since you h

, you ar

ake me feel that what I do or say is of the slightest importance to you. You made the young Tom Kinsella about as miserable as a man could be, but the old Tom is immune from misery, thank God, and t

eorge but do n

n us, when he married you. I am as sure of this as though George himself had told me. In those good old days in Paris when we we

management and the family income was in danger of being decidedly lessened, you persuaded me, in fact,

lot more. You remember you would not let me announ

r's long inability to attend to business. My brother Pierce was still in college and could be of no assistance to me. I had to master the busine

you and you alone. I knew it would be two or three years before it would be expedient for us t

e, recently returned from Paris, spoke of having had such a gay time at your wedding breakf

t of fellows, where poverty was the rule and not the exception; but his uncle, the Brooklyn politician, had died and left him a hundred thousand dollars. That seemed immense wealth to

nd who could do as you did, I was well out of it; and George had my pity and not my envy. But my Art-my Art-nothing can ever make up to me for giving it up. I could not go back to it, as I had plunged too deeply in

any years, but I am determined to have a good ti

sella's history. No wonder he was so sad looking and occasionally so bitter! She was glad he had not truckled to the spoiled Mrs. Huntington, but had let her know exactl

ake it horribly embarrassing for all concerned, and still she fe

to a soul, (except Mother, of course,) that I have o

r a few moments by Mr. Kinsella

was very young at the time a

You must have been about the age your daughter is now, and I fancy you would not excu

ru

ys.' I do not mean you are sti

nd just look at her hair and clothes! She looks much younger, and I know it is hard on her to give up her youth. I do wish Mr. Kinsella had not said that to her about being two years older than he is! It was no

at her father and I ever studied art. Not that I ever studied very hard, but George was certainly much interested and it took a deal of managing to persuade him to give it up and go into politics. You

e known him in his last years. You remember how gay and light-hearted and good-tempered he always was. Well, he lost it all and becam

has George

fact as she is already ridiculously fond of trying to paint; and if she knew there were any hereditary reasons for it, there is no telling what stand she would take. I

Newport, and while our means do not permit us to entertain ver

to consider anyone whom she does not love. George O'Brien was very sentime

rtless speech; but he now asked: "What sacrifice have you

East. He was a great expense, but it fully repaid me, as he lived long enough to establish Elise and me in that society for

pal very largely. I am an excellent business woman,

onished that she was ignorant of the fact that he had ever drawn a line in his life. I say that I am glad, as I want to talk to George's daughter about her father, and I cannot think of my old friend, George O'B

in any way to the ever-increasing flood of poorly painted

ut you used to be so clev

I know the girl would fly off at the slightest chance and live in that shabby Latin Quarter. There, no doubt, she would marry some down-at-the-heel

as money

get control of her money until she is twenty-five and I have several years yet. She is quite equal to throwing me over in spite of all I have done for her." Mrs. Huntington

hter thus severely! She must have inherited from Geo

g wife, nothing more than the law exacted? My only hope is that she may marry a man rich enough to make a handsome settlement on me. One who will have money enough not to regard Eli

s it. Perhaps poor little Elise might have equal luck. Oh, Lizzie, Lizzie, how changed you are! You have spoken only of money and position and society; never once of love and humanity.

w and sharpen my claws. You struck this note first in our conversation. I was prepared to be as nice as you once thought me, but I saw how cynical you had grown and I knew the

let Elise put in this winter in a good studio in Paris. She is hungry for a long period of uninterrupted work and I know it will soften her toward you instead of hardening her; and

ee to go where she chose. She well knew how cheaply a girl could board in Paris when she was at work in a studio, and, as Tom said, there was every chance of

if it turns out badly

d I am grateful to you for this concession. Com

it best for all concerned for her to remain quiet. As soon as Mr. Kinsella and Mrs. Huntington had disappeared, Mo

Brown all about her forced concealment during t

e matter to a soul, it will do no harm. I wish you had not had to hear it, however, as I hate for my Molly to realize that such women as Mrs. Huntington exist, so cold

y waked the next morning with no trace of seasickne

e, that they often said it seemed as though they had known one another all their lives. Mrs. Huntington kept to herself much of the time. She seemed to realize that it was policy to let Elise have as good a time as she could

girl. She had a ready wit, was quick at repartee, and after a while her

h in his wit." But when she was too critical or inclined to let her wit run away with her heart, he would shake h

ship was wonderful to her. Mr. Kinsella realized the importance of this wholesome influence on his charge, (he had made Elise his charge ever since he wrung from her mo

the trip is nearly over, our friendship has just begun! And what times we can have in Paris

d Judy will want me out of the way. You are such old

Judy is more than likely already to have begun a big affair of friendship with somebody. She will get so thick with that one that she will have no time for anyone else; a

ong voyage with Mamma. She gets so cross and overbearing when she is cut off from society and amusements and--" Elise stopped suddenly. She felt Molly's friendly arm growing slack around her waist and she realized that her new frie

differently and then it would be

ying, for she did not add what was in her heart to say,