Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-01-07

Ellen stood by and watched almost
greedily while the ladies embraced
and followed awkwardly when they
entered the house with their arni
around each other.
"Would you take them up to my
room, Ellen, please? One at time il
they're too heavy for you.
81 could take you too," returned
Ellen, starting on.
"How odd she is, Mamma. Where
did you ever get her?" exclaimed
Mrs. Morrill,, dropping wearily into g
chair.
Mrs. Angler closed the door softly,
took chair beside her daughter and
poured out her tale of woe.
There was something SO extremely
ridiculous in the idea of her deter
mined little mother living in subiec-
tion to that rawboned, gawky girl,
that Mrs. Morrill, laughed outright
several times during the narrative.
81 never heard anything SO funny
in all my life. But don't fret, Mamma
dear, such an unnatural state of things
can't continue. Affairs will adjust
pufLueclNeeJ eonShOW' eSo ~ tuoJ
don't"
"But you haven't an idea what she
is" objected Mrs. Angler, patheti-
cally, whereupon her daughter laughed
again.
Mrs. Morrill, became.an object of
intense alteration to Ellen, who let
slip no opportunity to show her re-
gard. The house was kept in perfect
order, and Mrs. MorrilPs room re-
ceived many extra touches that kept
it in delightful state of daintiness.
But it was upon the cooking that Ell
len expended her supreme efforts, and
each successive meal had some unusual
delicacy to surprise and please the
guest.
Mrs. Morrill, received the girls at
tentions good. humoredly, and spoke
many words of kindness and sympathy
which never failed to bring to the
girls face that unpleasant flush which
always appeared when she was much
moved.
One evening Ellen knocked at Mrs.
Morrill's door, and without waiting to
be hidden entered the room.
81 knowed you was crying" she
said, hoarsely. "What's the matter?"
"Elen!" exclaimed Mrs. Morrill,,
angrily.
"Don't be..mad," said Ellen, calmly.
"You cry every night you do be here. !"
Mrs. Morrill, raised her tear-stained
face and regarded the girl with min
ged look OF amazement and terror.
"Is it her?" demanded Ellen.
"Herl"
eyes, her p repeated Ellen with an
energetic jerk of her thumb toward
her mistress room.
"Mamma? o, no"
"Then tell me-" cried Ellen, fling
ing herself to her knees before Mrs.
Morrill,. and clasping her arms around
her. "Tell me who's the dumb thing
tills | kill um."
"You frighten me-" exclaimed Mrs.
Morrill,, recoiling from such violent
sympathy.
81 won't hurt you. But I'm goin'
to settle your hash. Who is it now?
Will 1 have you sitting roun' crying
out those eyes? You what spoke
words kline to me. You only vun. 1
guess not Think I'm dumb?"
"You are very kind, Ellen, and l
thank you, but my unhappiness you
can't do anything to lessen," spoke
Mrs. Morrill,, sadly.
Suddenly Ellen stood, and demand
ed, sternly. "Where's your MANI"
"My man?" repeated Mrs. Morrill,,
in amazement, "Oh, you mean my
husband? l haven't any now-I fear. !"
"What's that?" with thrust of the
hand toward photograph on the
bureau.
Eyes, that's Mr.. Morrill,. But-why,
really, Ellen you have no right to
catechise me in this way"
"Yes, l have. Go on! Go onl"
But Mrs. Morrill, arose and threw
herself at the bedside in passion of
weeping.
Instantly Ellen was beside her clasp
ing in those great arms the quivering
form of the woman she loved.
"There a, there n, there a, there q,
there a." she said, soothingly,
"Notting's worth it, No, no, no !
No, mol"
And because she didn't know what
else to do Mrs. Morrill, sobbed out on
that broad breast the whole story of
her misery. How with the love of her
happy girlish heart she had married
her husband, and had tried, for his
sake, to live with his people, who de-
spised her simple, questionable ways,
and treated her meanly; but at last,
thinking her husband, too, had turned
against her, she had left them all and
came home to stay. How she had
newer told her husband her intention,
and had not the courage to tell her
mother, and how wholly miserable size
was.
"You shut up now, and go to bed.
There's girl of the name Ellen got a
hand on this. You fine it out!" and
with these extraordinary words the girl
left the room.
Presently she put her head in the
door and asked
| "Name Tom? ?"