Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-09-28
HOPE.
BY JENNY WREN.

keepers, IL is the periou CohSu hoooS
cleaning.
Farmer Gray's wife was no excep-
tion-good, motherly soul that she
was. She was up with the lark day
after day, and gave little rest to those
working under her supervision. But
as paint which never showed signs or
soil shone with new gloss, and even
the possibility of dust was removed
from where no trace of dust could be
found, her eyes frightened, and a
happy thought would go fitting
through her brain.
ut will be all over, and everything
ready, before Reuben comes home"
Reuben was her pride-the boy who,
utterly regardless of the clean, sand
ed floors, would walk boldly in where
no other foot dared tread, leaving his
imprint in mud to mark his course
the boy for whose future she had
woven such wonderful air castles.
He must be lawyer, a great man,
one whose name she should some day
see in the public prints. This seemed
to her the very height of ambition.
Reuben was coming home-a college
graduate-to spend with them his va
cation, and then back to the busy town
to earn fame. Was it any wonder the
floors, the walls, the ceilings, must
give evidence of their mute delight?
Trudging along at a slow jog-trot,
occasionally speaking a word of en-
enlargement to the tired mare, Farm
er Gray was nearing home. But a
troubled look rested on his face, very
different from the bright cheeriness
generally found there, and ever and
anon his eyes wandered stealthily to
a little figure perched on high seat
at his side.
One could see only the face-a pinch
ed, worn little face, from which two
great brown eyes peered out, and
seemed to take in every blade of grass
by the roadside, every leaf upon the
trees, as some wonderful heaven-sent
vision accorded her.
'You mustn't mind, my dear if Mrs.
Gray seems little put out like when
she first sees you. It's house cleaning
time, and she don't much like strang-
ers botherin' her; but she'll soon find
out you won't be in the way, and when
she sees the roses comm back to your
cheeks she'll be happy enough. Only
don't worry her if at first she's a wee
bit flustered."
"Oh, I'm so sorry you brought me, If
she won't like it!' answered the child
for child she seemed, sitting there,
though seventeen summers had passed
over her head.
"There, there, now! She will like it,
tell you; and when she once sees
you, and feels sorry for you, you'll find
how kind and good she is" said the
farmer, striving, with the remem-
brance Of duty done, to reassure his
sinking heart, as he came in sight of
his own pasture land.
He had gone, bright AMI early, that
morning, into the doctors office, to tell
his old friend of the honors his boy
had won, and that soon Reuben was
coming back to them; and after Civ.
ing him few words and warm
hand shake Of congratulations, the
doctor had added:
II was thinking of you, wishing fol
you, as you entered. There Is little
girl here who is dying for the want OF
pure country air and little nursing in
the way Of food. She needs plenty OF
milk and liberty to roam all day In
the fields. Take her back with you
it will be the making of her. And tel
Mrs. Gray / sent her, and am coming
down soon to see how she is getting
along"
ITS house cleanin'," answered the
farmer, and world of meaning wa.
In the short sentence.
Both men looked grave; but the doc
tor spoke again:
eve can't let the girl die If it is.
tell you, Gray, she is starving fo
country air, for green fields, and tn,
music of the birds. Let her go. Mrs
Gray won't turn her out.
So it was decided but Farme
Gray's whoa" rang out little les
loud than usual, as he refined up tn
old horse at his own door; but tn
quick housewives ears caught IL, an,
1t brought her speedily to the door, t
bid him welcome, and see il his boot
were fit to tread her spotless floors
The tracking them with mud must b
left for Reuben. Poor Mrs Gray! Sh
was hot and tired. though she woul
not have acknowledged it. Her fee
were weary, for all day they had born
her weight.
'What have you got there, Set
Gray?" questioned she, in tones shri
and sharp. Company, / declare, an
it's house cleaningv
Then, as the farmer tenderly LITE
down the girl in his strong arms, sh
continued:
"A child, declare! Well, all 1 ca
say, Seth Gray-you must stay O
home and take care Of her!"
She turned away. forgetting, In he
Indignation, even her floors.
Never you mind" said the farme
rs he noticed two great tears swim
ming in the large brown eyes, an
trembling, ready to fall, on the jett
lashes, while the delicate mouth quiz
cred. ITS just her way. She don
mean It, Come now, dear"
you'd better show her to the spar
ROOM" interrupted the shrill tone
again, as they entered.
Then. as her husband returned alor
from his errand, his wife's wrat
broke its bounds.
ga ra Won mad Seth Gray 10 nnf m,