Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-03-23

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enjoyed going there when Mary was
we'll, and with Mary sick it could not
be thought of.
$50 pokey over therel" she had AL
ways said. zone day of such life as
the Hingham5' is all 1 want to en-
dure, and I'm always homesick before
night !"
She kept house for her father, how
ever, in somewhat desultory fashion,
when her mother went to stay with
Mary day or two at time. Jonas
had bad luck finding capable indoor
help, and it was a great relief to them
all when Aunt vi, Mr.. Morton's maiden
sister, came from the West, and, not
having any particular home anywhere,
willingly took the leadership in the
bingham household. Mary could
now rest easy about the work, and 1T
seemed as if she might get well i'm
mediately.
But, somehow, she didn't seem to
cain at all. and Aunt vi told Mrs. Nor
ton that Mary seemed to have lost all
interest in life.
"Jonas is just as kind as car be, and
the boys are all smart and bright and
fond of her they are forehanded and
have good home, but it seems as II
she didn't care about living; l do
think if she had an ambition to get
we'll she would"
81 don't blame her., put in Bees
for this confidential chat was at Mrs
Morton's, Aunt vi having ridden over
there for little while one day; "what
has she to live for?''
"Her husband and children, o.
course, responded Aunt Vi, promptly.
eyes, but first and foremost, hard
work. She has been veritable slave
and drudge ever since the day she first
set foot in that house, and her only
way out of it all is to die !"
Aunt vi looked shocked.
Mrs. Morton said feeblJ; 'Hush =
81 supposed might have made just
such another match years ago, " added
Bess, "but I'd rather be ten old maids
rolled into one than do it -
In the very depths of the winter
Mrs. Morton's sister from Boston
Mrs. Cramer, made flying visit IL
town, on her way to Montreal, hel
first visit to the place since Mary'f
marriage.
"You must go to see Mary in hel
own home, sister" said Mrs. Morton,
"but the poor child is too weak to
visit much. We will go there together
and spend the day, and it will crafty
her, though she cannot enjoy it as
|, she was we'll.
Which plan they carried out, ant
Jonas was to bring them back atnight
: fall, but the short January day ende(
, in raging snowstorm, and the two
ladies were persuaded to stay owe
night.
: 'I'll sleep with Mary tonight an(
wait upon her." said Mrs. Morton t.
Aunt vi, as bedtime came on, "an'
you can go up stairs and get a goo'
nights rest.
"We'll sleep, together, Aunt Vi,
added Mrs. Cramer, "and keep eacl
r other warm, and have good visi
| besides.
Was it all chance that the chamber
the two ladies occupied had in tn
wall an open stove-pipe hole leading
; through to the one where Jonas slep
with fve-year old Teddy?
) Aunt vi never thought of it whei
. she and Mrs. Cramer were 50 buslly
, talking far into the night, but Jonas
on the other side of the wall, had am
pie occasion to remember it.
He slept soundly for while, bu
: perhaps it was his good angel tina
woke him just in time to hear Aunt Y
{ ask, ''What do you think about Mary
A Mrs. Cramer was lady who use(
+ not only her eyes and ears, but he
$ brains as we'll. Being new to tn
s bingham house, she saw it through
S unaccustomed eyes, and she had mad
r up her mind fully. Still she hesitate'
y q little before she made the answe
which Jonas listened for breathlessly
, II think" she said impressiyely
+ "that she is starving to death.
l "For the land sakes," calculate,
Aunt vi, "you don't know what your
, talking about Such a provider q
f Jonas bingham is y Always buys hi
. flour by the barrel and keeps tw
sorts, one for bread and one for pas
E try; makes no end of maple sugar