Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-07-24

you re Lewis LlntOus daughter, ain t
you, from Bidwick, in Canada? My
pretty dear, I've held your father on
my knees many a time, when he wasn't
knee-high to a grasshopper, But Mrs,
Cariyon mustn't know-no, no. We il
viii her over in spite of herself-see ii
we don'ti'
And Candace who had vein OF
romance in her girlish heart, entered
willingly into the conspiracy.
In one thing Rebecca was right.
Mrs. Carlyon was pleased with her Few
companion. Miss May suited her.
in all respects.
And the marvel of it." said she,
laughingly lis that old Rebecca isn't
jealous. | never had companion in
the house before but that she was half
mad with jealousy. How have you woD
her heart, my dear?"
And Candace dropped her head, and
said that she did not know.
''Rebecca, look here" said Mrs. Carl
yon. one day, to her old servant. II
want to talk to you. Where is Miss
May? Watering the azaleas? Well.
shut the door; she mustn't hear"
''Ma'am," gasped Rebecca, you're
never going to send her away?"
No, you old goose! Send her away.
indeed What ever should | do with
out her? No, it's quite another thing
Pm thinking of. This old house is dull,
isn't it, Rebecca?"
Well ma am, it isn't exactly gay"
'And it's twice too big for US, you
know"
ut is pretty roomy place, maam
Miss May was crying this morning
when | came into the room, suddenly"
said Mrs. Carlyon, in a mysterious
whisper, ''and [ never rested until [
coaxed the secret out of her" Gre
becca started guiltily.) Think Re-
an orphanage in Montreal!' (Rebecca
recovered herself again.) Now, Re
becca, wouldn't it be a delightful sur
prise for you to 90 to Montreal and
get those dear little girls, and bring
them here?"
'Iawk, ma'mr' gasped Rebecca.
The rector is always preaching to
me that | ought to adopt a homeless
child added Mrs. Carlyon, land here's
two of EN-. Miss May showed me
their photographs-real golden-haired
little beauties. | know I'm queer,
cranky old woman, but | always was
fond of children Here's the name of
the street, Rebecca, and the number.
I'll let Miss May suppose you've gone
to visit your widowed sister, and you
shall bring 'em here. What a surprise
it will be! How | shall enjoy it!''
THE Lord be good to meI' thought
Rebecca ''but I'm gettin' into reg
lar Guy Fakes tangle of plots and mys-
terieS However, | don't see no way
but to 90 ahead and do what my mis-
sus says. Here goes!'
And one long June day, when MISS
May came nome from doing errands
for Mrs. Carlyon, with bunch of long
stcmmed roses IN her hand, she found
Clare and Nydia in che boudoir. play
ing with an old-fashioned wax doll and
box of Chinese puzzles. which Mrs.
Carlyon had rummaged out of the
store-closet for their benefit.
We're adopted, sistern' they cried,
gleefully. The pretty old lady in the
white lace cap has adopted us. And
oh, isn't it pretty place? and have
YOU seen the tall palm tree, and lemon
tree with real lemons on it? It's like
coming to heaven, only we haven't had
to die first"
What funny things children Go say,
to-be-sure!' said Mrs. Carlyon, furtive-
ly wiping her spectacle-g glasses; but she
was not dispeased. We'll, Miss May,
how do you like my surprise? NY!
don't begin to cry, | hate tears-wilh
the crystal drops coursing rapidly
down her own withered cheeks. And
you needn't thank me; | won't be
thanked"
The children skipped off to play
with the white cat, whose silver belled
collar was a perpetual challenge to
them.
Candace fell on her knees and buried
her face in Mrs. Carlyon's lap.
Il love your she sobbed. "Oh, how
love you!'
Look herer' said old Rebecca,
strengthening herself up. Il can't
stand no more O. this. | must confess,
OF bust"'
''What?" calculated Mrs. Carlyou.
Pm a hypocrite and deceiver,"
said Rebecca.
is the woman crazy?1 said Mrs.
Carlyon.
And I've cheated YOU all alongr'
persisted Rebecca, raising her voice to
Il perfect howl. Yes, discharge me!
| don't deserve no character! Turn
me out of doors! For Miss May amt
Miss May at all, but your own blessed
niece. Mr.. Lewis's daughter. and the
blessed children are your own flesh and
blood. Do as you please with me, but
don't turn them out! For it's my do
ings every bit of it."
And Rebecca ended with a piteous
| wall, that brought Glare and Nydia and
| the white kitten to the rescue.
What is the matter with the kind
old woman with the crooked nose?n
said Nvdia. please don't. scold her,
Mrs. Carlyonw
''Say Aunt Carlyon, my dear" lid
the old lady. No, | won't scold her
II begin to see through the mystery
now. | planned a surprise for you,
| child to Candace. And | am still
more surprised myself. But I'm not
angrv-don't think it. do believe you
all love me-" as Candace covered her
white withered hand with kisses and the
children chung about her neck, land so
we'll all thank the Lord for His mercies!
Rebecca, don't stand staring there. but
go and open jar of green gage plums
for lunch, and tell the cook to send us
up chicken croquets and green peas,and
plenty of sponge cakes. Children like
sweet things!'
SO she accepted the situation with
admirable philosophy, and old Re-
becca trotted away, muttering to her