The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-03


great sheets OF shining water. that on
moonlight nights ware visions Of weird
beauty.
"oh. dad" said Polly aloud, sadly, yer
sin't never known Their Joy nv livfn' n tais
green wilderness. Nv seem thcrf,cY'rs end
the- grass come up each year. a rais1n'
Their glad little heads end a no1din' az yer.
Ike yer wax a o. friend, end NV iovin'
them all, ez hev done End they'd a
loved yer too, ez hev. only yer never
knowed 81,
End I wonder ef her baoby wudn's
make him happier then hev done? End
I'd kinder like et. too. Prhaps she'd love
me J-st feezIe Bit
She rose. listened in:eatly. and finally
turned her Own lamp low. Then she
hastily slipped on 4 long cloak, pulling
the hood over her head. She crossed tho
room 10 the cupboard and silently drew
forth a candle and some matches and put
them in her pocket. Creeping 10 tas
door, she cautiously turned the handle.
II took all her strength 10 push i. suf-
fciently far apart 10 slip through. Once
outside she again experienced the sanss
difficulty in closing IL without noise, 50
great was the fury os the wind
She braced herself against the closed
door and tried TO see through the wall OF
descending water. She had no fear. She
was 4 daughter OF the Northwest, fearless
In the extreme, a magnificent rider over
the treacherous hills. whose narrow trail
was often on the very edge OF a gully.
The barn was but stone's-throw from
the house With a sudden swoop, Ike
tina, OF a flying bird, she carted across
the wet clover ard dashed up against the
rough. un9aiEted door OF the barn
JenTgs knew her stcp and wainnied her
delight. Polly drew the staple and man
aged 70 slip through and close Il behind
her. Then she tried 20 light her candle,
but the many gusts of wird wh!ch came
whistling through the barn put Il out each
time. IN cheer disgust she gave k up,
and cropping her way to Jennie and push
ing back her hood. laid her face against
the sleek head Of the animal
Jennie" she whispered. we've long
and wet ride ternight. Do yer think yer
can carry me safe through" And the
intelligent little creature. who knew every
stone and stump of the dangerous road,
turned her bright eyes upon her beloved
mistress and rubbed her nose Affection
ateiy against her shoulder.
Polly rapidly placed the saddle over the
broad smooth back and led her to the door.
She tried hard 10 open Il sottly, but failed.
II swung back upon its hinges with
crash.
"Ef dad hears tibet therHl be war" shs
cried as she swung lightly into the sad
die and gave Jennie the reins. The pany
shot off into the darkness surrounding
upon the rsin-sosked clover. Soon she
struck the stony path. and. relaxing her
speed planted down each leg firmly and
carefully. She snorted once or twice, as
the rain beat sharply IN her face. Polly
had to bend low over the saddle to pro-
tect herself.
The road through the woods was fraught
with danger. At any moment a tree
might fall and crush them out OF exist
| ence. Once Jennie stumbled, but recov-
cred herself and galloped frantically over
| the corduroy road. which she knew by
/ heart and behind them came a roar and
the awful crash Of some monster tree
| they must just have escaped. The girls
| pulse beat a little faster. for she fully
realized the danger. They reached in
safety the foot OF the last hill and swept
| up the smooth road which led TO the vii
| lage.
Then Polly drew rein and peered into
the distance. She made for a house whose
| lighted windows at that hour gave evil
| dence OF unwonted activity within. She
1 disynounted and placing Jennie under shell
| ter. she opened the door and walked in.
She entered straight into a large, barely
| furnished room. Upon the bed, drawn to
the furthest side lay a woman, whose
/ iifeless figure already showed the grim
/ side lay a golden-haired baby. whose
| flushed face and gentle breathing gave
| no sign of the sad fate so soon TO befan
| her. Two kindly faced women sat by the
| bedside.
| Po.,y went UP the room swiftly and,
| holding 70 her nelghbors. bent down over
the dying woman. Some strange instinct
| caused her TO open her eyes. and she fixed
them wonderlngly on the girls face. Then
| look of recognition crept into her eyes.
| and she said:
"Why. IFS Polly, What brought you
,nh vi &c
II come ter see yer. Mrs. Smith," said
/ the girl steadily.
THAT was very good of you. Polly"
The girl leaned over and took one OF the
/ wasted hands between her own.
81 come ter ask yer whut's goin' ter be-
come nv Msv?" she whispered.
/ "Nrs Hodge. viii take her. Mother
! and father are dead and [ have no rela-
I tfves left now. cave one sister. ! have
/ not heard from her for years. So Mrs.
| Hodges has promised 10 care for her,
/ It's hard, too Cor she has enough OF her
/ own. Nv poor baby-Tny little Nayi I
/ wish might take her with me-" walled
| the dying woman.
| LET me hey her, dear Mrs. Smith" cried
| the Girl IN choked voice.
"You? Why YOU do not know how to
| care for a -hiidp'
| do not fear" answered the girl. "r
! viii be n mother ter her. 7 promise. End
! I VIII love ner 50 7lUCN. D8N, 100. ne
1 warts her. He amt never forgot yer.
| end ne wur nigh crazy when he heerd yer
! vuz-sick"-shc was going 20 say dying"
I but a natural de.icacy withheld her. cit
wux all a mistsk'. thet time twenty years
ago end dad wuz right end yer wuz wrong.
/ end 7na she done wrong, too, tho II kills
ne ter hev ter say IT
! May be so" answered Mrs. Smith.
| Twenty years % lifetime. Polly. and
: dare not think Of ell that now. II spoil.
. NY ufe. even as II spo.n his Tell him.
/ dear chat Am sorry. I an feeling 80
/ weak Promise me now, before Il IS TOO
/ ia.e 20 love and cherish my chI.a while
life lasts WITH yor"
II swear. End may Cord deal with ne
/ ez deal b. your hsbby," cried the girl.
/ dropping on her knees ard kissing the
still beautiful face O, the dying woman.
The gray dawn Of dGy was tust break
Ing as woman emerged from the door OF
. the little white cottage. carrying 3 bundle
IN her arms. wrapped in a big WOODEN
/ shawl.
Don't 60 yet Polly" said tho tall reign
B Dor with The kindly face "Tt afn's hardly