The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-07
THE DAILY STAR
MARJORY.

MARJORY.
s=' -us,7s --
The sharp ring of an ak sounded regu-
larly from the barn yard. 1t was welded
by boy of thirteen, perhaps, but small
for that age. His Jacket was buttoned
closely round him, his cap pressed down
upon his curly hair; and his cheeks
el0wed with the frosty air and the exer-
else.
He had been cutting wood an hour;
meanwhile, in the house had arrived a
little girl, brought there by the oversAer
of the poor. She stood timidly at one
side of the great fire, the blaze warming
her chilled limbs. She hugged an old
cloak tightly about her, and replied in a
low voice to the kind questions asked her
by the farmers wife, Mrs. Wyllis,
:. "Sit down on that STOOL" said the lady,
@and put your feet up to the fire, while
i bring you bowl Of bread and milk.
Don't be bashful."
The child sat down and directed her
large black eyes to the fire, and in them
was the sad, wistful expression Of an un-
loved childhood; but mingled with that
hok was a seH-controlled, self-relant
look which was unusual in so small a
face. The face itself was dark and thin
and very plain; there appeared in it
nothing to warrant a hope Of beauty in
sitter years, though the eyes would un-
doubtedly always be beautiful.
She took her milk in an eager way,
though very daintly, and Mrs Wyllis
watched her with kindly glance.
"What is your name?' she asked. "I
have forgotten, if Mr.. Hinckly told me"
"Marjory st. James," was the reply.
"St. James. A nice-sounding name.
Do you remember your mother or
father?' G.,.
II remember my father"
'1s he living?''
'1expect So"
This answer was given in reserved
tome that would have shown to a pene-
tratiug person she did not like to be
questioned about him, but Mrs. willis
was not very observing. r
"Have you seen him latelyw
!, II should think it was two years"
'Then what makes you think. he is
living? Do you hear from himf'
"No."
''Was he good manw ......
The child clasped her hands and ex-
claimed passionately:
II don't believe anybody thinks he's
good man, but, oh, love himp'
'1f he was a good man I should think
ne would take care of you" said Mrs.
Wylis, very kindly, but also very Oh
tusely.
Seems to me-" said a voice by the
door behind Mrs. Wylis, "if was you,
mother, | wouldn't ask her anything
more about her father"
Mariory cast look of thankfulness
toward the speaker, who had come in I'M
noticed, and who was the boy who had
been chopping wood.
"You needn't interrupt me, Fred.,"
said his mother. "Of course, | want to
know all can about her parents. Did
you ever go to school, Marjory%'
.rNo. But when | was at home, when
I was very small, / used to have teach
er live there" ...
"Very smallw exclaimed Fred. "If
you were smaller than you are now, you
must have been wonder"
"Be quiet, Fred" said the mother, se-
verely; "she's as large as you are now,"
which was very true. -. . I.
Fred. uttered an incredulous "H'm,"
and was silent.
"How old are yours '.
Thirteen"
"And how long have you been at the
poor-house" .. "
"Ever since I was nine," was the an
swer.
"You know how to wash dishes, and
sweep and such tbingsg'
eyes" ..-. --
"Well. / think you'll be very good
little GIRL and I'll take you up stairs to
the room you'll sleep in; then you may
come down and help me-" ..
And Mrs. Wyllis led heriofc At Z
Fred sat by the fire, his cap thrown
off, his chin on his hand. He remained
thoughtful few minutes, then lifting
his head, he said:
"What did she say her name was,
motherT' ......
"Quite a romantic name-Marjory St.
James"
"Who do you suppose she is, anywayp'
Marjory, softly coming along the 9TH
er room, whose door was half open,
heard her name, and involuntarily
paused. - tr
"I am sure I don't know" Mrs.
Wyllis replied. 81 shall try to send her
b school this winter; you must be kind
to her, Fred, and treat her WE'LL"
"Treat her we'll! of course l shall.
declare she's got about the homeliest
phiz / ever saw" 'i'.'...'
"Hush!" said his mother, looking with
1lconcealed pride at the handsome face
sf her boy. "You shouldn't talk so.''
The boyto up his cap and went
back to his chopping, while the girl in
The other room stood stiH for a moment