Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-09-29

seemed only to remind them more OF
their loneliness, and we, ceasIng our
visits almost entirely, saw very little
life about the hall. Only to Miss
Linda, who had served the family for
years, alternately as nurse and house
keeper and governess, did we ever
talk of our loneliness
Miss Linda was an old maid; that
is, she wore spectaeles, and her hair
fell in corkscrew curls that peeped
rigidly out from under her cap. We
all used to fear Miss Linda, but when
any accident happened to us at school
she was our physician and comforter.
When we reminded her of our absent
friend she would turn aside with
quivering lips, and we at length
found the subject painful to her and
desisted.
We passed and repassed Moreton
Hall, and still silence reigned about
it. Then, after almost year, we saw
physicians going to and fro, and at
last we heard that Mr.. Moreton was
i'll, and Myra had been summoned
home. Ere the news reached her,
Mr.. Moreton had breathed his last,
and again we met our friend, buried
in grief for the loss of her father.
There were lines of care plainly
visible on the young face, and worn
haggard expression that seemed
strangely at variance with her once
happy countenance; and our com
panion, few weeks after, would
meet us with sad smile that needed
no words to tell me that happiness
had fled from her heart
The autumn leaves scattered here
and there over the new mound in the
churchyard. The wife returned to
her husband, and -umors came back
to c. that Myra Forbes was not
happily married; that there was some
truth in former rumors; and we re-
called the sad expression of the
beautiful eyes as proof.
The once happy home was again to
be shrouded in grief, and the
mother, ere the SHOWS fell, joined the
father, leaving Myra an orphan.
When we again met, it was beside
the mothers grave, and my heart
reached out in sympathy as 1 thought
over the intense grief of Myra.
Heart broken, and made an orphan
in so short time. we rendered her
our sympathy and love; but there
seemed no resignation on her part.
The Hall was now closed. There
was no one left of the family but
Myra; even Miss Linda left our town
and as she bade us "good-by," she
told us her heart was ''sorely grieved,
but there was still more trouble and
grief for Moreton Hail." We pom
dered over her words, and waited for
time to explain them. One after an
other our schoolmates and friends
had left us, and there only remained
limited number. We passed the
Hall and would shudder as we
thought how desertedl it was in so
short time. The grass had grown
in high and tangled masses, and
every surrounding showed us deser-
tion and decay.
The months passed into years, un-
til four long years had passed. AS I
sat, one October evening, saw
strangers walking through the
grounds of Moreton Hall, and I
learned there was to be a new occu-
pant there. The house was thrown
open, and everything around soon
resumed its accustomed aspect. The
grounds were tended, the house re,
paired, and the new occupant came.
watched the black-robed figure
moving about the house and grounds,
and, to my surprise, saw and recog-
nized Miss Linda, my old friend
Strange thoughts filled my mind, and
stranger fancies still, when, in few
days, carriage stopped at the Hall,
and left there a small lady, dressed
in tdeepest mourning. This was
Myra Forbes, and she was alone.
Could she have returned widowed? +?
Surely death had spared her one
among her loved lones.
Busy hands were outstretched to
welcome her, and render the Hall
once more homelike. Tender words
greeted her coming, and loving kind
ness was shown by Miss Linda. The
Hall was home once more for the
wanderer, but the loved ones were
gone. Marble slabs in the church
yard told of their silent homes.
Miss Linda found that her charge
grew sadder in mind and weaker
physically. Change-there must be
change, or death our physicians said,
as they looked upon the pale, wan
face Of Myra. Miss Linda's eager
gaze and quick perception found
there must be change or another
grave ere long. So, after weeks of
persuasion, bevy of small children
thronged at Moreton Hall to their
new teacher. Myra's busy hands and
employed mind soon gave back hope
that peace, If not happiness, would
once more come to the heiress of
Moreton Hall.
The seasons passed, and spring
and summer until October came again.
Glorious October, with it's mellow
sunlight and bronze leaves? The
schoolhouse showed its accustomed
number of girls and boys, but ITO
morrow they were free-the last day,
with its entertainment al Moreton
Hall. The school-mistress had re
gained health and strength, and the
beautiful black eyes sparkled once
more.
The morrow came The banners
waved from tho Hall, and the
grounds were alive with children.
TOud were the vOicas that callad