Daily Republican., 1886-10-08
arm, sat down 10 meId lace and dream

Dressed like princess. Father, that
does not sound like our little hilda."
"Can't help how it sounds" said
Martin. It's SO; that's all / know"
"Then," said Reed, sadly; ''it's no
use my building that wing on the
south side OF the old housef Il won't
be needed now"
mot il you expect Hilda Murray TO
live in it."
"HushI' said Mrs. Webb, who was
washing up the supper dishes with true
housewifcly deftness and speed, max
ing each teaspoon shine like silver,
each plate glisten like ivory III the
friction of her homespuu linen towel.
"There's some one at the door. 90
quick, husband"
"Why," cried Martin, standing
staring on the threshold, Its Hilda-
it's Hilda Murrayw
"But can't stay a minute, l." said
Hilda. breathlessly. 'Pve got to re-
turn by the thirty train"
"Hilda," said Reed, gravely. "you
must come in. 1t is not right nor
seemly that you should be out alone at
this time of night"
II wanted Cousin Webb to know"
faltered Hilda. II couldn't bear that
he should think so i'll of me as to
fancy that was indulging in expen-
sive pleasures, while-while my
mother is so poor. Her sight is fail
ing, you know; she is earning some
thing by mending lace, but she only
spoils 1t. We should starve-if 1t
wasn't for the money earn by giving
riding lessons in Mr.. Dulany's eques,
trian school. Mother doesn't know.
She would break her heart If any one
told her that l went daily to the ring,
aud trained little cir and young ladies
in horsemanship. She never can for
get, you know, that my poor father
was college graduate, and once went
to the legislature. So we let her be-
lieve-Mr. Dulany and THAT am
taking lessons, instead Of giving them.
She saw us once in the park with the
class of young ladies, and she was so
proud, poor little mother. And Mr.
Dulany says am the best teacher he
ever had; and-oh"-wi.h piteous
clasping of the hands-''is it very
wrong? is it2 / almost fancied so,
when l saw Cousin Webb looking at
me this morning-acting lie!"
81 dunno about that" said Mr..
Webb, fumbling around for his pocket
handkerchief; 'but / know you're the
incest and best little girl, l ever sawp'
"Hilda," said Mrs. Webb, plead.
ingly, "cannot you come back here to
| VOLTS Cornersp" / know your ma
was beset to get to New York. She
thought, poor dear, that fortunes was
| to be made there hand over hand. But
surely, now"
Hilda shook her head sorrowfully.
eve are too poor" she said; "wc
cannot afford the expense of moving
again. And there Is no house to be
had here now"
Mrs. Webb put her hand on hel
husbands shoulder.
MARTIN" said she hurriedly, I'll
Hilda really wants to get back by the
seven-thirty train, you must hitch W
the horse to take her to the station
And I'll go out to the barn with you
and hold the lantern"
Once out in the barn, Martin Webt
looked at his wife.
"Eliza," said he, edo you think on
Reed has any ohancs?
"lf he hasn't got q chance now. HI
never will have one," said Mrs Webb
tell you what, Martin. that girl Is ,
pearl OF great price, and always saie
so."
No sooner was Reed Webb left alien
with Hlda than he spoke out what wa
In bis cart
"Hilda," he said, resolutely, "yoI
must come back! You can't ltv, Their
In the great wilderness OF bricks ant
mortar, and 1 can't live here withou
You. The farm Ia pay ing for itself now
I can give my wife com Portable home
and my wife's mother also Dear littl
Hi da say that you will be mine ~
Hilda burst ont into sudden gust o
t,s,s and tobs.
'Oh, Reed" she cried, "if you knew
how often have dreamed OF cominl
back here-if you knsw how homesicl
have been"
"SAy heartsick, Hilda," he prompted
"if you want to make me bappy"
And, smiling through her tears, sh
repeated the word.
"Yes, heartsick Reedl'
"You will come back home, then
Hilda?"
81 viii -
And by the time the old horse was q
the door for the teven-thirty train, t d.
ques tion was sett ed.
Reed himself took Hilda back to tb
city fat. and there pleaded his cAus
with Mrs. Murray.
sit must be rs Hilda decidesi" d.
clared Il Q old lady, with dignity sufi
cient for . crown.princess. "rhoug
there is no doubt but that she coui
make brilliant match in New York
"Motterl" urged Hilds, piteously.
"Still," went on Mrs. Murray,
would not oppose her affections; and
you think, Reed, that you can make he
happy at VOLTS Corners"
81 will do my best" assented Reet
fervently.
Sin that case" said Mrs. Murray
'. "sbe is yoursp
And she never knew. the poor oil
lady, the whole story of Mr.. Dulany
riding school, and Hilds's innocent ne
work of harmless deceit.
SIT was frsudr Hilda always d.
clared.
Eyes," her husband admitted, but
was pious oDel"
Base baiI.
The following games were playe