Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-03-21

struggled bravely and got the point
OF a pin in his finger which drew
from him q rude exclamation.
s.Pin tick?" gravely inquired
Mary.
1T did," as gravely answered the
professor.
"Well. you mus'n shy so naughty
words" continued Mary, ''or you
can't go to heaven. My mammals
dere. wish was"
Aud then the little black head fell
forward and tear or two fell.
| Prof. Arthur Brewster looked I'M
comfortably at the old woman for a
moment. Then he motioned for her
to go.
| She obeyed, but when she peeped
through the keyhole q moment later
she saw the professor tenderly take
the gypsy looking mite In his arms
and hold it close to his breast. where
the tears ceased to flow and the un-
natural gravity resumed its sway.
At supper the child asked for all
sorts of things that the professor
supposed were poisonous to children
and all OF which he promised to have
in the house the next day, provided
Mary would not carry out her one
dread threat and cry.
But finally bedtime came and then
Mary fatty refused to allow the old
woman to undress her.
The professor perspired, but he
managed to get the little garments
off and to find in the poorly stocked
trunk q night dress.
ROBBED in the long white gown Mary
looked more than ever like a little
gypsy, but when, without word Of
warning, she dropped on her knees
before him and murmured in her
broken language little prayer, he
thought that she might not be so
painful burden after all.
But the end was not yet. When he
had retired some hours later to his
own bed and was endeavoring to COM
pose himself to sleep he became aware
Of the little figure standing beside
his pillow.
.Why. Mary" he said. whatever
do you want now?"
Il lonely" she said. Wants to
sleep wiz YOU"
''Oh, no." he said, rather shortly,
in his surprise. that's quite out Of
the question.
He turned his back on her. hoping
she would return to her room.
But q moment later he heard
meek little sob, and turning
again found that she had fully car
ried out her supreme threat and was
crying.
He tried to be angry, but some
thing tugged at his heartstrings
and he reached out his arms and
took her to his bosom, where she
purred moment like q kitten
and dropped to sleep with the peace
of q perfect trust on her queer little
face
But the next day the trouble began
again when, after looking over his
morning mail, he found that Mary
had disappeared.
Good gracious!" 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 imp" had not been
near her.
Upstairs went the professor in great
haste, loudly calling for Mary. He
tried to reason with himself that he
ought to rejoice at her sudden disap-
pearance and hope that she never,
never would return, but his argu-
ments 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:
"Maryv
What you wants?" came the
shrill answer from the other side of
the fence.
There was Mary, comfortably
seated in Mabel Rikers lap, while the
girl affectionatcly patted her tangle
of black curls.
"O-ah-yes-I beg pardon, "
stammered the professor; you see
-well-she went away when l was
not looking"
Il quite understand your anxiety,
professor, replied Mabel, pretty
flush mounting to her cheeks. II
should be anxious il were in your
place. She's such a sweet child"
II 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."
"Oh. but she doesn't" exclaimed
Mabel.
Wants to stay here" said Mary.
Let me keep her little WHILE"
pleaded Mabel. She could have kept
the professors entire world.
"Oh-why-of course, certainly, IL
you like"
Uncle Art'urs dood to me" cooed
Mary. Let's me s'eep in he's bed,
and / kiss m"
"Ha! Hum! Good morning." said
the professor, retiring in the utmost
confusion.
After that little Mary spent most
of her time with Mabel Riker. and
the professor hours of studious re-
tirement were not greatly abbre-
waited.
And he was always glad when the