The record-union., 1898-01-17

dHXlOuS inquiry. w nat-Wnat- 6ul
Orrin had started to march on.
Gracia Gaylord stood still for a mo-
ment, and then she took an impulsive
step after him. I'm going home Sat
urday, you know she said. Won't
you be over to say Goodbye"
I'm afraid I can't" said Orrin. I'm
afraid I'll have to say it now Goodby,
Miss Gaylord" And he walked on up
the Street.
He told himself that he had done just
what he ought to do, and that he
should not have thought much of him.
self if he hadn't done it And when
he saw the stage go past on Saturday
with Gracia Gaylord and her trunk, he
told himself that he was not a bit
sorry. Was not that outlandish scare
crow standing yet in Traver's corn
field, with his blue silk muff1er around
its neck? For he shrunk from going
and getting it; he let it stay there.
No; when the stage ratified past with
Gracia Gaylord he attributed his re-
gretful feelings to another cause alto
gether
And certainly that other cause was a
gloomy matter Orrin had been hoping
Stamford that fall and attend the High
School 1t had been his fixed ambi-
ton; he had cherished it and counted
on it. He had talked of it more than
once with Gracia Gaylord, though that
was now a bitter recollection.
But now his dreams were come to
nothing The high school at Stand
ford?" his father had said when Orrin
had spoken of it. Yes, l know you've
wanted to go, and l want you to, too.
But, you see, you'd have to board there
through the week, and there'd be your
tuition besides, and I can't afford 1t
this year. l never had such poor crops
in my life, nor so little ready money.
I'd let you go if 1 could, but I can't.
Wait till next year and We'll see how
things are"
Orrin knew his fathers decision came
of necessity, and that it was final And
his heart sunk. Next year! When
he had hoped to go next week. A
whole year lost. And next years
crops might be no better. Orrin was
plunged to the depths of grievous
despair.
He was in that dull condition when
he went to the Postoffice one evening.
He went with tagging steps and a sober
face: he came back on hard run and
burst in at the door and knocked a
chair over.
He fiourished letter. tits for me"
he shouted. Look herei Listen," And
he read it, breathlessly.
It was from Stamford. Master Or
rim Ferrier,' the letter read: Il have
heard that you desire to attend the
High School here, but that you have
given UP the plan. Unless you have
given it up finally, 1 should like to make
a proposition to you. I shall be in
need of a little extra help this winter,
and if you would care to render some
light service IN return for your board,
I shall be willing and glad to have you
live with me and attend school. Sim
cerely yours, Susan Bristow."
IF I'd care to-" Orrin cried. 20.
won't I,' Orrins father knew who
Susan Bristow was. She was a maid
en- lady who owned a large house where
she lived alone, but for a man and wife
who served her. She was a kind-heart-.
ed gentewoman, and anybody who
lived with her would have the best of
homes.
Orrin. 1t was strange how Miss Bris-
tow had ever heard of him. There was
no time, however. to think upon that
mystery, or to think of anything but
getting Orrin ready to go. School be-
gan the next week, and Orrin must be
packed off to Stamford by Saturday.
The feat was accomplished. AT
O'Clock on Saturday afternoon Orrin
walked up Miss Bristow's broad front
steps, and with a mounting shyness
rang the bell.
A white-aproned woman opened the
door, and led him into a pleasant sit
ting room. Miss Bristow sat there
reading. She was an elderly woman,
with the best and kindest of faces. She
greeted Orrin cordially, and Orrin for
got his timidity straightway. When
he had talked with Miss Bristow for fif-
teen minutes he had forgotten every
thing but that the room was warm and
cheerful, and the furniture handsome,
and that Miss Bristow was certainly
the incest woman he had ever seen.
He had thanked her several times
for the opportunity she had given him,
and she had told him what his easy
duties would be, and they had fallen to
talking of OrTin's prospects at the High
School-when Orrin came to a sudden
stop in the middle of a word
Just under his elbow lay a sofa pill
low a large, soft pillow, With gay
color Orrin, once his eyes were caught
by it. sat and stared at it. He studied
it, he puzzled over it. He looked at
Miss Bristow, and he looked back at
the cushion.
Miss Bristow," he said abruptly, II
-I-where did you get it?''
'What?" said Miss Bristow. THAT
sofa pillow A young friend Of mine
made it for me- And she added
smilingly: Somebody you know. A
friend of yours, too-Gracia Gaylord"
"Gracia-Gaylord, Orrin stammered,
and he looked at Miss Bristow with an
expression she failed to comprehend.
And then he went on staring at the sofa
pillow. That familiar old blue checked
silk There could be no mistake He
knew that blue check as well as he
knew his name.
You see" said Miss Bristow, we're
very good friends. Gracia and I; and
we didn't wait for Christmas to make
each other presents. For girl of
her age Gracia is remarkably clever
with her needle, don't you think SOP"
Yes. ma am said Orrin; but he was
not listening. Miss Bristow,'' he said,
and his face was suddenly oddly aglow.
how did you know about me? How