Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-09-28
vid says as again and again he kisses his
mothers shaking lips.
Chapter III.
"AH, POOR HUMANITY '"

morning before arrives letter which
tells her that he obliged to delay his COM
ing. London Is very full he says, and he
is very busy; so he cannot get the days
holiday.
In every line Of this letter the mother
can read his disappointment as well as
the sorrow it gives him to disappolnt her !;
and tears come aud blot out the loving
words as well as the proud descriptions
OF the home. which Is all ready for her
now. out In one Of the pleasant northern
suburbs. They blot out even that simple
request at the end. Think Of me more
than ever to- morrow, mother. and pray
for me just at nightfall; at that very hour
when We have been used to sit together in
the porch Oh happy birthday nights"
There is the present of money which
most letters bring her now, and it is while
holding this money in her hand that she
forms sudden resolution which comes
to her at that moment as SO natural aone
that she wonders where it has been hid
den before.
She is on her way from the village post
office when the plan suggests itself, and
when she reaches home-hsr steps quick
in the new eXcitement-she sits down in
her old seat in the porch and makes it all
clear TO herself. David is working very
hard, and Is 10 be lonely on his birthday
How can She better use his gift 10 her
than by giving him pleasure he cannot
expect, and SO prevent his being solitary
on that day which they have never yet
spent apart? As he cannot come 10 her
she will go to hm.-Ah. how his face
will brighten when he sees his mother
come in How he will start up with out
stretched arms to clasp her That mo-
ment will repay her for any trouble she
may have in reaching him.
When once the resolution l. formed ii
holds her tenaciousy, and she begins
her preparations al once, glad and eXcIt-
ed as u child She packs ber basket,
putting In chicken some butter, aud eggs
and cream because David says he never
enjoys these things in London as he does
at home and she smiles rs she ties n
dainty white cloth over them all for she
Is picturing her boys delight when he
unpacAs these luxuries which she had
brought him from his own VILLAGE. All
that night she lies awake, yet rises brisk
aud active, almost wondering ii she can
really be the Mary sullivan who has never
entered a railway carriage in her life =
she, traveller, starting alone 10 a far-on
city of which she knows nothing.
Taking her basket on her arm. she
walks TO The rectory to leave the key OF
her cottage with her clergyman aud to
obtain instructions from hIm for her jour
nsy. He gives them clearly aud circum-
stantially, anG walking with her 10 the
station. sees, her OIL with the precious
basket In her care and that look of stead
fast happiness Ia her eyes.
1t Is a long journey, but the anticipat-
ion Of David's deiight at seeing her short
ems and beautlfies the way, SO that she
starts with surprise when fellow pass
enger tell, her she is at Paddington.
Timdly she stands back from the crowd.
holding her basket tight upon Ler arm
and watching the passers-by with wistiul,
station is +. and every owe 50 busy aud en-
crossed.
don ftEFe2a tEFe2a pleaS5sa Sab ws9t @ to reach Earring
what to do 2" She at last accosted a port
er As he passed with hamper on his
shoulder.
Gross to Metropolitan"
Cross TO Metropolitan! The words are
foreign words TO her. What can they
mean Is there river, then, between her
and David:
Another porter, coming slowly up AS
the croud disperses, sees the puzzled look
shrinks apart in her neat country dress
and holds her basket with care and pride.
w there do you want TO go:' he inquir-
es kindly.
TO Farrlngdon street. | am to cross
something. But | could not understand.
I'm sorry TO be so troublesome"
You'd far better have a cab" the man
says IN 4 tone OF involuntary kindliness.-
,.Do Won III ind the expeuseE'
II have six shillings in change" she
answers, looking gratefully into his face
"will that do!
"Half Of it,"
He takes her to one of the waiting cabs
aud makes a bargain with the man in her
presence, then he closes the door upon
her and smiles as she drives away.
And this is London this line of streets
aud crowd OF people and deatenirg sound
of wheels, Poor Davy how he must long
for the quiet. shady lanes and the fresh
breeze coming inland from the sea!
The cab stops, and Mary Sullivan stands
with beating heart at the door of tall.
narrow house in FarriDgdon street and
rings the bell family. She waits what she
thinks long long time before a young
women appears in answer to her modest
summons
"
which room shall lind my son?'
What's your sons name?' the glrl asks
with long stare.
David Sullivan"
oh, Mr.. sullivan" she says little
more pleasantly. He's out. Would you
like to step into the passage and rest2"
Thank YOU" David's mother says gen
tly as she meets this unlocked for blow
Il would much rather go TO him"
Il don't know where he is, though.
He's nearly always out He's at an office
all DAY then he's r3e, vcr .oing out into
the county somewhere north, where he's
got u house he's been furnishing. | don't
know where else he goes, but he's always
away at night"
He will be at-at that house you speak
OF, | supposeT questions Mary, her voice
trembling in its eagerness as her thoughts
dwell on this home which David has oeen
preparing for her. i wish you could tell
me where it is
But don't know the girl answers more
shortly, and | should think you'd better
stay here till he comes back
i would rather go to him. Do you think
any one in the house could kindly tell me
where he is?
r do hn