The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1880-05-22
MARJ0R}.


regularly 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
Gully hair, and his checks fairly
glowed with the frosty air and exer-
else.
He had been cutting wood an hour,
meanwhile, in the house had arrived
a lutte girl, brought there by the
overseer of the poor. She stood tim
idly at one side of the great fire. the
blazing warming her chilled limbs.
She Rugged an old cloak tightly about
her, and replied in low voice to the
kind questions asked her by the farm
er's wife, Mrs, Wylis.
'Sit down ON that STOOL" said the
lady, land put your feet up to the
fire, while l bring you a bowl of
b cad and milk. Don't be bash
full
The. child sat down and directed
her large black eyes to the fire, and
in them was the sad, wistful expires
sion Of an unloved childhood; but
mingled with that look was self
controlled, self-reliant look which
was unusual in so small face. The
face itself was dark and thin and
very plain; there appeared in it
nothing to warrant a hope of beauty
in after years, though the eyes would
undoub edly always he beautiful.
She took her milk in an eager way,
though very daintily, and Mrs.
Wyllis watched her with kindly
glance.
"What is your name" she asked.
81 have forgotten, if Mr.. Hinckly
told me-"
Mallory St. James, she promptly
replied.
"St. James. A nice sounding name.
Do you remember your mother or
father
IL remember my father"
us he liying2'
81 expect so.
This answer was given in reserved
tone that would have shown to a pen
,es.tL!g,ss,.ing person she did not like to
be questioned concerning him, but
Mrs. Wyllis was not very obsery
ing.
Have you seen him lately?'
Il should think it has been two
years"
Then what makes you think be is
now living? DO you ever hear from
him?"
mo"
"Was he good NAM
The child clasped her arms and ex
claimed passionately:
II don't believe that anybody
thinks he is good man, but oh, l
love him."
IF he was good man / should
think he would take care of you"
said Mrs. Wyllis, very kindly, but al
so very obtusel Y.
Seems to me-" said voice by the
door by the door behind Mrs. Wyllis,
''if | was you, mother, wouldn't
ask her anything more about her
father"
Marjory cast look Of thankful
ness toward the speaker, who had
come in unn. t q ed and who was the
boy who had been chopping the
wood.
You needn't interrupt nae, Fred"
said his mother. "Of course | want
to know all ! can about her par
ents. Did you every go to school,
MajoryY
mo. But when l was at home,
when l was very small, Il used to have
q teacher live there"
VERY smallw exclaimed Fred.
IF you were smaller than you are
now, you must have been great
wonder"
BE quiet. Fred" said the mother,
severely; "she's as large as you are
now"
Fred uttered an incredulous "h'm,"
and was silent.
"How old are your?
"Thirteen."
"And how long have you been at
the poor houseY'
Ever since / was nine" was the
answer.
"You know how to wash dishes, and
sweep, and such things?"
yes"
"Well, think you'll be very
good little girl; and I'll take you up
stairs t. the room you'll sleep in;
then you may come down and help
me-"
And Mrs. Wyllis led her of.
Frel sat by the fire, his cap thrown
off, his chin on his hand. He re-
manned thoughtful few minutes,
then lifting his head, he said:
"What did she say her name was,
motherY
"Quite romantic one-Marjory
ST. James"
"Who do you suppose she is, any
way"'
Marjory, softly coming along the
other room, whose door was half open,
heard her name, and involuntarily
paused
II am sure l don't know" Mrs.
Wylls replied Il shall try to send
her to school this winter; you must
he kind to her Fred. and treat her |