The record-union., 1891-04-12

over my tTunk. Sle Sdlu OuS Snb 10 nave
much nicer things. They love me so
dearly at home. 1t was dreadfully hard
to come away; but 1 want to begin to
make money before father gets old, and
country doctor in such place has a hard
life of it, driving about the country in all
weathers. And / shall be so glad to help
him. O, Miss Wentworth, l mean to
think of that, no matter how those girls
use me, and you've helped me so, being
Ethel Wentworth put out her little
white hand; the larger, well-shaped, use
full hand of Hannah Brown, closed firmly
upon it. From that day the girls were
friends.
The slipper-bag was finished during
the evening reading, and, with its red
ribbons, was not uncomely. after all. But
Ethel had her little pang to bear. Ade-
laide, Sara and Lilly were cordial no
longer. The whole class had chosen to
show offense, and Ethel had been used to
being favorite, to being greeted with
smiles whenever she appeared. In the
silence of the night q few tears wet her
pillow, but she stood firm.
She had one compensation. Hannah
Brown proved to be an interesting COM
panion. She had a fund of simple anec-
dotes at her command. Her sketches of
life among the lumbermen hard by her
native village We're very touching at
times. Soon Ethel seemed to know the
sturdy, broad -shouldered doctor, with his
black hair just dashed with silver; the
mild little mother who sang Love Not"
and ''Oh, Believe Me If All Those En-
dearing Young Charms" to her children
in the twilight, and all the big jolly girls
and boys.
Father shoes them once a month";"
Hannah said, land they are out at toes in
three weeks time. 1t is so stony under
foot at Woodville'
Ethel felt as if she had walked to church
with Hannah and the children, while
mother and father and baby rode in the
gig.
The way was long, the road uphill and
down. Where there was adelightful cold
spring among the rocks she had stopped
to take drink, and the little green toad
who had lived there had come out and
''talked" to her.
I'VE can not persuade little Phil that
the toad is not a fairy" said Hannah. Oh,
the girl was very fascinating.
But the turned frock grew prettier and
the morocco shoes were rubbed at the
toes, and the fact that shabby Hannah
Brown, by sheer hard work, distanced
every member Of the class did not mollify
those others. They were not fiends; had
Hannah wept and been unhappy they
might have ceased to detest her, but her
cool indifference enraged them.
The teachers comprehended that a
silent conflict was going on in the gradu-
ating class, and understood EthePs po-
sition in the matter. The servants de-
cided among themselves that the stylish
young ladies were set against Miss
Brown, and some felt this just, in view of
her wardrobe, and some called her poor
thing" and said sit was a shame
And so the weeks and months went by.
Christmas vacation passed.
Hannah Brown could not afford the
journey home, but a box came for her,
and she spent the evenings making two
new gowns, with EthePs assistance, and
looked much better in them, it is certain ::
but still the feud continued, and spring
came without its having ended.
On a chosen day in May it was custom
ary for the school to make a holiday
They went to the residence of Mrs. Hope,
whose grounds bordered on the sound.
There they enjoyed themselves in various
ways and were entertained in splendid
fashion. In the evening there was music,
and with the dancing teacher as master
of ceremonies, they inaugurated little
ball, the girls waltzing together, bow of
blue ribbon indicating those who assumed
the role of gentlemen in the lancers or
quadrilles, and afterward rode home in
great wagons, in which the smaller girls
fell asleep.
Hitherto, Adelaide Lee Lilly Bell, Sara
Officer and Ethel Wentworth had always
been together on these occasions. This
year the three first turned their heads
away as they met Ethel and Hannah arm
in arm. For the first time Hannah spoke
of it as she sat with her friend on the
rocks beside the water.
Never think / don't know what
you've done for my sake, DEAR" she
said, 'or that / shall ever forget it''
Il love yOu," replied Ethel, and they
kissed each other. AS they did so some
one cried aloud. "Why, here's q boat"
On the sand below the rock three figures
had suddenly appeared. Sara and Lilly
and Adelaide were pushing an old boat
into the water. IF we had oars we might
row little," Sara said.
Il saw some oars behind that bath
house." Lilly cried. She ran away and
returned with one short and one long
one.
''They lock the boats when we come,"
said Adelaide, land really the children
might drown themselves; but we are
capable of taking care of ourselves, /
hope"
The boat was afoat now. Lilly had
jumped into it; Sara followed; Adelaide,
careful of her skirts, was stepping in
daintily.
'That boat is not fit to go out in, young
ladies'" called Hannah Brown from her
perch on the rock. ''The wood is more
rotten than you guess" The girls heard,
but contemptuously ignored her.
"Oh, pray don't go'' cried Hannah
As she spoke they pushed off from shore.
The water was quiet, the little waves
sparkled in the sunshine, the girls uttered
merry cries as they tossed about.
at is dangerous" said Hannah. "That
boat is no better than so much brown
paper" She stood up and watched the
girls seriously as they rowed about far
out on the water. Ethel could merely
make out the blue ribbon on Sara's sailor
hat, and the pale shrimp-pink of Ade-
ladies little wrap; but Hannah's eyes
were trained to longer distance.
They have broken one of those old
oars" she cried at last. "I think they
are in difficulties"
I'VE must run to the house for help"
said Ethel.
See!"
81 can't see anything but the water"
said Ethel. ''The sun blinds me-"
1.-The boat is sinking" said Hannah
Before we could get to the house all
would be over. Can they swim?"
None of them," sobbed Ethel. 'Nor
can l."
81 can," said Hannah Brown.
At this instant shrek swept land
ward-a despairing cry for help. Ethel,
screaming also, began to run toward the
house, but turning, saw Hannah stand
ing in the sand. She had taken off her
boots and removed her basque and outer
skirt.
''Oh Hannah! what are you going to
do?'' cried Ethel.
''Try to save them," said Hannah. SEQ
on, dear, get help as quick as you can.
My strength may not hold out, though
IN do my best" And she plunged into
the water.
Ethel, faint with terror, flew toward
the house, calling for help as she ran, but
agitation weakened her voice. The