SPRING BANK



trams, and got so outrageously angry at me, because I made
Mr. Bostwick think my hair was naturally curly, he said he'd
give all he owned if it were so, but I reckon he'll never have his
wish. There's too much of old Sam about me to admit of a
doubt," and half spitefully, half playfully she touched the spot
in the center of her forehead known as her birthmark.
  When not excited it could scarcely be discerned at all, but
the moment she was aroused, the delicate network of veins
stood out round and full, forming what seemed to be a tiny
hand without the thumb. It showed a little now in the fire-
light, and Mrs. Worthington shuddered as she glanced at what
brought so vividly before her the remembrance of other and
wretched days. Adaline observed the shudder and hastened to
change the conversation from herself to Hugh, saying by way
of making some amends for her unkind remarks: " It really is
kind in him to give me a home when I have no particular claim
upon him, and I ought to respect him for that. I am glad, too,
that Mr. Stanley made it a condition in his will that if Hugh
ever married, he should forfeit the Spring Bank property, as
that provides against the possibility of an upstart wife coming
here some day and turning us, or at least me, into the street.
Say, mother, are you not glad that Hugh can never marry even
if he wishes to do so, which is not very probable."
  " I am not so sure of that," returned Mrs. Worthington,
smoothing, with her small, fat hands the bright worsted cloud
she was knitting, a feminine employment for -which she had a
weakness. "I am not so sure of that. Suppose Hugh should
fancy a person whose fortune was much larger than the one left
him by Uncle John, do you think he would let it pass just for
the sake of holding Spring Bank"
  " Perhaps not," 'Lina replied; ".but there's no possible danger
of any one's fancying Hugh."
  " And why not " quickly interrupted the mother. " He has
the kindest heart in the world, and is certainly fine-looking if
he would only dress decently."
  " I'm much obliged for your compliment, mother," Hugh said,
laughingly, as he stepped suddenly into the room and laid his
hand caressingly on his mother's head, thus showing that even
he was not insensible to flattery. " Have you heard that sound
again" he continued. "It wasn't Tommie, for I found him
asleep, and I've been all around the house, but could discover
nothing. The storm is beginning to abate, I think, and the



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