Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-16
THE MORTGAGED FARM.

u
suddenly, as the tall, old-fashioned clock in the
corner rang out its shril announcement: .six
o'clock. and oh mother here is Jennie Lane,
punctual to the very moment Now we shall
have some good news from Jack, hope" She
ran out to the gate flushed and eager to receive
the letter from the country carrier, and. return
ing, seated herself on low stoolat her mothers
feet and broke the envelope.
On the first glance at its contents q shade of
disappointment dimmed her bright face In
stead of reading the note aloud she glanced hur-
riedly over the brief lines and then silently,
with quiyeriDg lip. placed it In her mothers
hand and turned aside to window.
This was what Mrs. HiIyard read:
"DEAR MADAME saw your son few days since,
when. 10 my surprise, he expressed himself reuc-
mortgage. saying that he required it for a Specula-
ton which promises TO De more profitable 10 him
than the holding of the farm | have therefore,
been compelled 10 dispose OF the mort gage to gen
tleman OF my acquaintance, who purposes 70 take
immediate possession, and consider it my duty to
inform you thereof. in order that you may lose no
time in making arrangements for removal.
Every respectfully, ABNER HARRIS"
Mrs. HIlyard returned the letter to its,envelope
with a trembling hand and dazed, bewildereti
look. as though unable to realize the blow which
had so suddenly fallen upon her.
Her eyes met MarOns and the girl threw her
self upon her knees by her mothers side. and
bufSI INTO IL passion OF tears.
"Oh. mother. mother. what shall we do
What will become of us -
The Lord will provide" said Mrs Hilvard.
raising her overlooking eyes to the motto on
the wall. embroidered by Marion's own hand
Where is Your faith my child that il should
fail You in the very hour of need 2"
Mother. it is not so much the loss of our
home nor the poverty and trial in store which
srieyeS me. but that Jack-yOur own son. nv
own brother-should have SO changed. Oh.
mother, know that our Father in heaven will
not desert Us, but TO whom on earth can we
turn when even Jack can become worldly and
heartless Z"
At this moment a little blue-eyed girl burst
into the room with -
Mamma Marion, here is Miss 'Melia Ander
son at the gate in her buggy. She says will YOU
step out minute, for she wants to tell YOU
about old Mr.. Willard being sunstruck; and she
darent leave her horse without some one to
hold him."
Marion wasin no condition to listen to 'Melia-
the greatest gossip in the neighbOrhOOd so
MIS- Hhyard drying her eyes, was. in cvty
compelled to see the informal visitor. Marion,
her head resting upon the window sill behind
the screen of clnging roses, could have heard
every word spoken; but absorbed in her grief
she paid no attention until the name of Walter
Hinton struck upon her ear.
1T S true for certain, for Maria had 1t from
his own sister, Agge Hinton. SAYS Maria In
her wild way. If he comes back with ali that
most OF his property last year-says Maria. If
he comes back rich mean to set my cap for
hm On which Aggie replies, Oh you needn't
for he's to be married before long to a real. nice
pretty girl OF course. Maria wanted to know
all about it; but Aggie only laughed in her
mysterious way, until Maria says, Il believe YOU
are Joking! when Aggie replies. If Walter isn't
married before winter I'll make you present of
my new earrings which he has sent me- So you
see II certain, sure; and no doubt he'll bring
tn vic htn n,,,s1,- III
Marion we may look out for grand party
When the HintOns undertake to do things they
always do il handsomely.
Marion stayed to hear no more. Gliding out
OF a side door she crossed the garden. passing
little Myra. who was fondling a snOw-whte calf
her great pet and treasure. and who called out
to her to see how fast SNOWFALL was growing
Poor little sister, 1t would be as hard upon
her as upon her mother and herself to leave the
dear old home with all the scenes and objects
endeared TO them by the associations of their
ives. For in that ample. pleasant old-fsshOned
farmhouse Mrs HilIard had been born and mar
!led, and here her children also had first seen
the light.
Two Years ago her husband-who had been
too little practical 10 make q successful farmer
had died suddenly. leaving his affairs in a very
embarrassed state and the farm burlened with
a heavy mortgage. Then Jack, good son and
brother that lie was. had thought it best TO 90
To the city. taking advantage Of a situation
offered him h. distant relative until the mort
gage should be paid.
only two weeks ago he had written cheer
fully that the matter would be specially settled
to their satisfaction. and now lust a. they were
expecting to hear that theirhome was their own
again. came this cruel letter
rs MARION had said to her mother, not even
the loss oi their home went to her heart with so
sharp pang as did tbs evidence of the change
IN Ter only brother. That Jack should have
grown 50 worldly and heartless as to consider
his pccun,arv advantage before the qualification
% his mothers comfort; that he should allow
them 10 be actually turned out of the dear old
house. ana 90 and reside in the strange city,
where they could never feel at home; oh. this
was the bitteTcst pang of all!
SO Marion had thought upon first reading
that letter: and il was not until hearing Miss
Mela WORDS TO her mother that she awOke to
the consciousness that fate would have even a
greater sorrow than this in store for her.
One year ago she had parted from her accept
ed lover. Water Hinton, in anger on both sides
Walter had become jealous and had spoken
sharply to her, and in manner which she con-
sidered herself justified in resenting. Walter
was too proud to apologize and Marion too
proud "a we'll as too delicate to make advances
10 reconciliation: and SO they had dIifted apart
both miserable. until Waiter had broken the
last link 10y going out west.
Sne heard OF him from time to time through
his family, but no word or message to herself
ever came. In al. this while she had looked for
ward. with faint. learning hope to the posi-
biiity OF his some time returning, and OF all be-
lng made ur between them.
But now this last hope was rudely stricken to
the ground. Walter was going 10 be married,
He had forgotten her and was lost to her for
ever.
"Oh. it IS tard-so hard TO bear" thought
Marion. as with hands tightly cIasped, she
passed slowly under the apple boughs of the
old orchard. Life is bitter. 1t has taken all
from me: can have no more TO give. Only nv
dear, dear mother and Myra, For their sakes /
must be strong and try to bear it ALL
On the verge Of the orchard where the high
bank slOped abruptly to the meadow, she came
to a mass of tangled hOneysuckle fashioned into
q rustic arboT. Walter had made il for her
and here, in fact, it was that they had last
parted.
Down in the meadow ran little path leading
by short cut to Walters home cOnpIe of
miles away. How often she had sat here of an
evening and watched for him. She could
scarcely look back upon any time OF her life, or
upon any object now before her eyes which was
nOt connected with some association of Walter
There was the walnut tree which he and Jack
used TO climb, and there the clear, laughing
brook in which he had taught her to steer the
little boat which he had made for her laden
with grain, down 70 Jacks famous water mill
al the roots of that Old willow Further ND was
the real ''grist and saw mill" which Jack had
always been 80 DESTROYS of owning and which
every body said would be such good invest
ment for one who could manage 1t properly.
And then Marion. seated on the bench i'm the
81 a. md "a