The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-06

nave III bHo mouse Ine next day, provided
Mary would not carry out her one dread
threat aud cry.
But finally bed time came, and then
Mary fatty refused to allow the old
woman TO undress her. The professor
perspired, but ne managed to get the
little garments off and 10 find in the
poorly stocked trunk night dress.
Robed in the long white gown. Mary
looked more than ever like little gypsy;
but when, without word of warning,
she dropped on her knees before him and
murmured in her broken language a little
prayer he thought that she might not be
so painful a burden after all. But the
end was not yet. When he had retired
some hours later to his own bed and was
endeavorlng to compose himself to sleep,
ne became aware of the little figure stand
ing beside his pillow.
Why, Mary, " he said, "whateVer do
you want now"
II lonely, she said. ."Wants to sleep
wiz you"
'Oh, no, he said rather shortly in his
surprise, that's quite out of the ques-
ton"
He turned his back on her. hoping she
would return TO her room. But a mo-
ment later he heard a meek little Sob
and turning again found that she had
finally carried out her supreme threat,
and was crying. He tried to be angry,
but something tuggedat his heart-strings,
and he reached out his arms and took her
to his bosom, where she purred minute
like kitten and dropped to sleep with
the peace of perfect trust on her queer
little face.
But the next day the trouble began
again. 1t made itself known in the morn
ing mail, which was unusually bulky.
! The professor sat down in his study,
while Mary gravely watched him from
| the olive secluSiOn of patriarchal chair
| hitherto devoted to his exclusive use. He
wiped his glasses, glanced furtfvely at
| the unreasonably silent child, and opened
| the first letter, which read thus:
| truly, B. MURCHIsoN
Hum ~ muttered the professor, i'm
| pudent young rascal! Now he's gradu-
| ated he feels safe. shall ignore him."
| Then he opened the second letter:
| My Dear ProfessOr-Wha in the world will
MARY ALINE HARRISON.
BLESS my soul ~ he exclaimed loudly,
that girl is young mink. ! shall ignore
| her also" With some hesitation he
opened the third letter.
| Dear Prof. Brewster-As you are a bache-
! Tor, and cannot be supposed to know much
| about the care OF children, you will / am
| sure, not take it amiss that /, a widow, as
| you know, venture to offer you word or two
| Of advice.
Upon my word" exclaimed the pro
fessor, hastily glancing at Mary, who was
| still solemnly watching him
! He read the letter through, and was
| dazed by the number Of suggestions about
| tiaunels, stockings, shoes, bedding, baths,
! food and drink, not To speak of the calm
| assertion that he ought to have woman
to take care of the child and the writer's
| expression of regret that social customs
would not permit her to visit him and
| give him her assistance. If the professor
| had been a vain man, he might have sus-
! pected the writer's motives, but he only
wondered at her effrontery Letter after
! letter the professor opened, and every
| one was about Mary
THAT precious express agent took good
| care to spread the news" he reflected
Then he looked at Mary, or rather at
the olive chair, for Mary had disappeared.
Good gracionsl" he exclaimed, where
has she gomez
He called, but she did not answer He
went into the next room, but she was not
there. He looked into the kitchen, but
the old woman declared that the ''blessed
little div'l' had not been near her. Up
stairs went the professor in great haste,
loudly calling for Mary. He tried to
reason with himself that he ought to re-
| ioice in her sudden disappearance and
| hope that. she never, never would return,
but his arguments could not hold their
ground against that new thrill Of anxiety
which had got possession of his heart.
He went out of the house and called
loudly
"Maryw
What you wants?n came the shrill
answer from the other side of the fence.
There was Mary, comfortably seated in
Mabel Riker's lap, while the girl
affectionately patted her tangle of black
curls.
"Oh-ah-yes--I beg pardon" STAN
mered the professor; you see-well-she
went away when I was not looking"
Il quite understand your anxiety, pro-
fessor" replied Mabel, a pretty flush
mounting to her cheeks; 81 should be
anxious if l were in your place. She's
such a sweet child"
81 wonder if she's making game of me"
thought the professor. Then he said;
"Now, Mary, you must come home; you
mustn't bother Miss Riker."
ooh, but she doesn't" exclaimed Mabel
wants to stay bere,' said Mary.
Let me keep her little while"
pleaded Mabel. She could have kept the
professors entire world.
"Oh-Why-Of course, certainly if you
like
1'Uncle Art'urs dood to me-" cooed
Mary. Let me s'eep in he's bed, and l
kiss i'm"
"Ha! Hum Good morning" said the
professor. retiring in the utmost confusion.
After that little Mary spent much of
her time with Mabel Riker, and the pro-
fessor's hours of studious retirement were
not greatly abbreviated. And he was
always glad when the child came trotting
in at meal time with some new story of
Mabel's goodness.
yes, Mary, . he said emphatically one
day, she's the best girl in the world.
Little Mary treasured that astounding
declaration, and in the afternoon re-
marked to Mabel:
''You'se dood to me; you'se best girl in
de world
S"Oh, Mary!s said Mabel; that's too
much; you mustn't say that"
Twill say dat Youse best girl in de
world Uncle Art'ur says you is.
''Oh-h-h," said Mabel in a low tone,
her eyes softening and her face coloring.
When little Mary returned TO her uncle
she was bursting with eagerness to re-
peat Mabel's reply Suddenly, while the
old woman was pouring out some milk,
the child exclaimed:
Uncle Arthur, yOu'se han some"
"Howly murther!" cried the woman,
splitting the milk.
"Why-why-Mary!" calculated the
professor.
you is, Mabel says you is"
GtNN1irra NVurra ~ commented the old