Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-04

SlOl Ills UIOUlCIS OOCluO Oil C0l1OdCyJ
the noble name Of Rullocks would not
fail Of representatives.
Patty, the DANES handsome daugh-
ter, stood just within the door, an in
FAINT of some months in her arms; a
small urchin just beginning to walk,
clinging to her gown.
The dame was speaking, but she had
hardly finished before her impetuous
daughter broke in
SWeIl, mother, can't see it. am
as fond Of Nelly Franklen as any of
| you; though, OF course, living away in
town, I couldn't do for her as you and
the rest did. But I can't see it. It's
like flying in the face of Providence,
I call it-shutting herself up, and
moaning and pining away to a ghost,
and making that poor child no bet
ter"
'.Nay, Patty, 1 think she's cheerful
enough with Ida," said Meg, gently.
II found her the other evening singing
to her as she laid on her lap, and the
dear little thing initiating Of her, in her
sweet, quiet way; they didn't seem pin
ing"
SHow does she manage at al1?" ask
ed Patty.
''she works day and night, I be-
| lieve," and Meg; ''many time before
| daYbreak Tom says he's seen a light
in her window. She does a deal of
work for the shopsin town, you know,
Patty, the mems things, and then she
knits and nets, too, so fast and we'll;
the best she gets in the ladies' work,
baby things and that"
"Hard enough it must be-"
Up the broadcast pathway that led
from the beach, across the downs, to-
wards the Rullocks cottage, came the
young widow and her child.
The mother had carried her little
girl up the ascent, but the moment the
top was reached it evidently begged to
be set down, and ran towards Meg,
who advanced to meet them.
Nelly came with her up to the cot
tage-door, and was greeted affection
ately by the others; but they did not
ask her in, nor invite her to share the
meal then preparing. 1t had been done
so often, and SO invariably declined,
that it had ceased to be repeated.
"Your eyes look tired, my child, !"
said the dame; "you work too hard by
candle-light-you should give yourself
some rest"
II rest all tomorrow" said the
widow, in low voice, which was
strange, at first, to those who had
known Nelly Harrison, but had long
ceased to be SO.
Sunday? yes, Of course, SO we all
do" said Patty, quickly.
Mother and child were dressed in
deep mourning, Of the cheapest mater
ial, but made and put on with taste
and neatness.
In that brief time what a change had
come upon her-once the beauty of
Sandcombe village.
''What does she say?" asked Patty,
when the little girl, unmindful of the
advance made by the other child, had
timidly approached her, and, touching
her hand, iisped out some infantnie
request.
'Eshe is asking you to sing said
Nelly, without a change OF voice or
countenance She always does to
any one she sees for the first time
Mother as she was, Patty was some
what taken aback by this request,
and at a loss how to reply; but Meg,
more accustomed, lifted the child in
her arms.
.'shall l sing to Idly? I can't sing
like mamma, but I'll sing about the
robin, shall I?''
The child clapped it's little hands,
and faint blush stole out upon it's
cheek Evidently the robin was an
old favorite.
The song was sung; Nelly the while
looking on gratefully at the good
hearted performer. The child sat rapt
in silence, evidently drinking in the
sounds; it's head half turned aside, one
small arm laid around the singers
neck. There was no need to bid her
thank the good friend when the song
was ended. The kisses on the lips of
the kind woman came from the little
affectionate heart.
cay, how sorely she is changed" ex-
claimed Patty, as they disappeared
from sight Think of that being mer-
ry Nelly Hartsom"
''But she's very beautiful STILL !" said
Meg.
,UghI Idon't know; she made me
shiver like nigh a graveyard and that
poor child! how awful did you no
tice?"
Yes-mother, did you see2 just
coming as it was last year this time. "
cay, it be amystery, surely; it wants
but ten days to the chlld's birthday"
'And it's two years since he was
lost?" asked Patty.
eyes, tomorrow
"Welly" said Patty, "it seems % pity
she couldn't have settled again, and
made herself and that poor child a
comfortable home. It would have
been better than pining their lives out
wonder alone"
The dame sighed. cay, I wish she
could ha' fancied my lad, poor Dan!
he was right set upon her; and she'd
have made him a good wife, and he
would have stayed among U.S. but the
Lords will must be dOnep
'sShe'H never marry now, | sup
poser" said Patty.
l4Nelly isn't the girl to take man
for his money; or there's one, if Tam
not mistaken, has been long set on