The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-01-12

returned to the house she would not
have read a page or scwed a stitch.
There she would sit at the foot Of a
tree. with her hands claspcd before
her and her eyes looking out vaguely
through the overwhelming gaps In the
foliage over the misty autumn land
scapc. She did not accOmpan; lOpsy
in her daily wanderings about the
farm. The child had made friends
with all the people in the place. and
was safe enough Her mother began
to feel the mere daily washing and
dressing Of POpsy Il severe fatigue.
Il am growing strangely weak"
thought Mrs. Jack to herself. Il Won
der why? l usel to le as strong us a
horse"
Hut here she was much mistaken
Hers had never been II robust frame,
AMI such strength as She had was ell
tirely nervous. Now that she had been
undermined by flptting; for. In truth.
Mrs. Jack was very unhappy. She
shed many tears in the silent hours of
the night. when the child was sleeping
solln,lly beside her. and she saw many
sad visions in the waking hours of the
day. when she sat solitary in the little
wood. by the time she had been three
weeks ut Bcck's Heath. it seemed to
her as II she had been there half her
lifetime. And yet she would not go
back to Collington. More and more
she shrank from seeing the place and
the people In 1t.
Nobody cares for me: they all for
get me: No one comes near me-" said
she. fretfully. Which was little I'M
just, for not only had Rcbecca visited
her. as we know, but Mr.. Mills had
taken a rare holiday one day. and had
walked out the twelve miles from Cot
lington to Beci's Heath. to see-his
cousins. the farmer and his wife,
he said: and the worthy couple We're
much Obliged, and vet more surprised,
at the unwOntcd attention. AS to Bar-
ney. she could not walk twelve miles,
neither could she afford to pay for Il fly;
but she had been promised drive out
to Beck's Heath by friendly trades
man. who owned Il gig and a stout
pony. and she had written to Mrs. Jack
to tell her that She would come and see
her at the very earliest opportunity.
So who else was there of whose neglect
to complain? Mrs. Jack had never eX-
pectetl that the visiting acquaintance,
who had nearly dropped her before she
left COdlington, would take the trouble
to go out to Bcck's Heath in order to
call upon her.
Mr.. Mills walk was rewarded by
about three minutes conversation with
Mrs. Jack and Popsy, to the latter of
whom he was the bearer of parcel of
cakes from Mrs. Pctherick; but the re-.
= Ia mi ~ MI
cd looks and tagging spirits-fOr the
farmer and his wife had told him that
she mOpcd great leal-was to bring
the very next day.
MrS. Jack was very grateful Tor her
kind friends visit: but, even from her,
she seemed to shrink n little. In Il Shy,
silent way. which was the very anti
podc OF her old buoyant, frank, fearless
manner. But, when Barney observed
that she was looking pale and ques-
toned her about her health, Mrs. Jack
persisted in declaring that She was
quite well-only little weak--and that
she needed nothing but rest and quiet.
REST and quiet" exclaimed Barney
to herself. sitting behind the stout pony
On her way hOmeward. "kest and
quiet with IL vengeance! A long rest
and very perfect quiet it'll be II we
don't look after her. She Is as thin as
wllipping-pOst. and rs white as hG@
pocket handkerchief. Something must
he done. She Is Just one of those wo-
men who give way all Of IL sudden,
and slip through your fingers like u
ray OF noonshine, IL you'll let EN-"
Upon this reflection Barney took a
resolution.
The following day Miss Barnasconl's
card was carried into Mrs. Lilly. with
Il request that the lady might be allow
I'll to say Il few words to her ut once.
Mrs. Lilly examined the card attentive
~ through her double eyc-glass. and
gave permission for the 'person to
came ill.," In Il tone which considerably
influenced the servants manner In ush.
cring Barney into the drawing-roOm.
But very little Barney cared for that.
Her appearance caused Mrs. LILLY to
open her heatl-like eyes to their utter
anOst. and fix them OH her visitor with
q stony gaze which made her look more
like Il wax doll than usual. The two
women We're oddly cOntrasted, both IN
appearance and manner.
Barney had arraycd herself in her
hest for the occasion. She wore blue
and chocolate color and a yellow silk
handkerchief round her neck, and the
bonnet with white ribbons and roses,
out OF which confusion Of bright tints
her dark. black-browed face asserted
itself strongly. 1t was as IL one had
dressed up the weather-brOwnctl fig
IRE head of Il ship in gallZy drapcries
and garlands.
Mrs. Lilly's pink and white countc-
nance was framed in smooth bandeauX
of shining black wig. The black velvet
band duly marked the termination Of
her waXen forehead. She wore black
satin gown. and IL lace collar and cap.
and Il heavy gold chain to which was
attached her eyeglass. And her slow
soto vOce utterances were as different
us could we'll be imagined from Bar
ney's abrupt speeches. delivered In a
bass voice from the chest.
Good morning. ma'am," said Bar
ney, cutting short all ceremonies and
plunging into the middle Of her subject
1--WE come to speak to you very serl-
ously about Mrs. Jack"
"About-Alrs.-'
about your sons widow, Mrs. Jack
lIllly. SncS very Ill.
whats the matter?" asked Mrs. Lii
~, startled out Of her dignity for the
moment. How do you know? When
did YOU see her?'
Il saw her yesterday. She Is not in
immediate danger. ii you mean that
She hasn't got cholera. or smallpox. or
typhus, but she just wasting and pin
ing and fading. And she ought to be
looked after, and have IL medical man
to see her. and fancy he would RECON-
mend Il change Of air, But Of course,
my opinion Is worth nothing on that
score"
Nothing at ALL" returned Mrs. Lilly,
who had recovered from her m0lncn-
tary dfscomp0sure. But may ask
why you have done me the honor to
come and say all this to me? DO you
know you quite frightened me by your
very abrupt manner Of announcing the
illness Of Mrs. John Lilly juniOr.'
II am u busy person and have not
time TO make roundabout speeches
I'm sorry IL I've frightened you, but
You seem to have recovered by this
time. However, the reason why came
to tell you all this Is the poor young
thing has no mother and You stand in
the place Of one to her, and she ought
to be looked after"
pray. did Mrs. John Lilly Junior
send You here!'
Not she! And she would scOld NE
aO,,O6lv n sln k,es,,,, 7 emma HAT 7