The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-01-16

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 wom
an to undress her. The professor per
spircd, but he managed to get the little
garments off and to find in the poorly
stocked trunk a nightdress. ROBBED in the
long white gown Mary looked more than
ever like a little gypsy, but when, with
out word of warning, she dropped on her
knees before him and murmured in her
broken language little prayer he thought
she might not be so painful u burden after
all. But the end was not yet, When he
had retired some hours later to his own
bed and was endeavoring to compose him
self to sleep, he became aware of the little
figure standing beside his pillow.
why Mary" he said, whatever do
you want nowP'
Il lonely" she said. Wants to sleep
wiz you.
"Oh, no" he said rather shortly in his
surprise. That's quite out of the ques
tionl"
He turned his back on her. hoping she
would return to her room, but n moment
later he heard a meek little sob, and turn
ing again found that she had finally car
ried out her supreme threat and was cry
ing. He tried to be angry, but something
! tuggod at his heart strings, and he reached
out his arms and took her to his BOSOM
where she purred minute like n kitten
and dropped to sleep with the peace of a
| 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 gravoly watched him from the olive
seclusioD of a patriarchal chair hitherto
devoted to his exclusive use. He wiped his
glasses, glanced furtively at the unreason-
ably silent child and opened the first let
ter, which read thus:
DEAR PRoF.-Where did you get it2 Yours
truly, B. MURCHIsoN.
HUMP muttered the professor. I'm
pudent young rascal Now he's graduated
he feels safe. shall ignore him" Then
he opened the second letter:
My DEAR PROFESSIONALISM in the world
will you do with it? Yours truly,
MARY ALINE HARRISON.
"Bless my SOUL" he exclaimed loudly.
"That girl is a young mink. shall ignore
her also" With some hesitation he opened
the third letter.
DEAR PROFESSOR BREwsTER-As you are
bachelor and cannot be supposed to know
much about the care of children, you will,
am sure, not take it amiss that !, a widow,
you know, venture to offer you word or two
of advice.
Upon my wordl'' exclaimed the pro
fessor, hastily glancing at Mary, who was
still solemnly watching him.
He read the letter through and was
dazcd by the number of suggestions about
flanncls, stOt kings, shoes, bedding, baths,
food and drink, not to speak of the calm
assertion that he ought to have woman
to take care Oh 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 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 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 lit
tie 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 rejoice in her
sudden disappearance 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:
"Maryp'
"What you wants." came the shrill an
swer from the other side of the fence.
There was Mary, comfortably seated in
Mabel Riker's lap, while the girl affection
ately patted her tangle of black curls.
"Oh-ah-yes-I beg pardon" STAN
mered the professor. You see-well-she
went away when l was not looking"
II quite understand your anxiety, pro-
fessor," replied Mabel, a pretty flush
mounting to her cheeks. II should be
anxious If l were in your place. She's
such sweet child"
"Iwonder if she's making game of me, 4"
thought the professor. Then he said:
Now, Mary, you must come home. You
mustn't bother Miss Riker."
"Oh, but she doesn'tr' exclaimed Ma
BEL
wants to stay here said Mary
LET me keep her little while, plead
ed Mabel She could have kept the pro-
fessors entire world.
"Oh-why-of course, certainly, II you
like"
Uncle Art'ur's dood to me-" cooed
Mary. Let me s'eep in he's bed, an l
kiss i'm"
Hal Huml Good morning" said the
professor, retiring in the utmost confu-
sion.
After that little Mary spent much of
her time with Mabel Riker, and the pro.
fessors hours of studious retirement were
not greatly abbreviated. And he was al
ways glad when the child came trotting In
at mealtime with some new story of Ma
bells goodness.
YES, Mary" no said emphatlcally one
day, she's the best girl In the world"
Little Mary treasured that astounding
declaration and in the afternoon remarked
to Mabel:
"You's good to me. You's best girl in
de world"
"Oh, Maryl" said Mabel. That's too
much. You mustn't say that"
| lot r,tpI Ia, 10