The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1899-05-04


this time-and. peeping through the
window of our cottage, saw that my
mother was not alone. A little girl
was with her, seven or eight years
old maybe, and my mother was talk
ing to her, pointing with her finger,
and nodding her head gently, after the
fashion OF elderly women when they
are interested in what they are say
ing. The child sat, open-eyed and
still, listening to the old woman's COS
sip. L doubted not that it was of me
she was speaking, for when l gave
started to her feet, crying, "And here
he Isl" and before we knew where We
were, we Were kissing and crying over
each other. When she recovered her
self little, she turned to the child, and
said, as she wiped her eyes:
This is my sonny Amos!
The little maid nodded, and stared
p me solemnly. / drew her to me, and
stood at my side with her hand in
,--.ne; a pretty little fairy she was,
with her bile eyes and fair face and
light auburn hair which hung in
wavy curls to her shoulders. Her
name was Mabel She was the child
of a neighbor, and between her and
my mother quite fond friendship had
been struck up. The old mother lived
all alone, and was glad to think that
she had obtained such a pretty little
companion to spend an hour with now
and again.
Il shall call you mothers fairy"
said l. smoothing her hair.
Her eyes sparkled. "Have you seen
any?"
Fairies, my dear? No. But I've
seen what's almost as good"
We soon became friends, and / did
not quarrel with the little maid be-
cause she was inclined to place a
higher value upon me than such a
common fellow as l deserved. 1t was
not her fault; she looked at me through
my mothers spect~ ,es, which the old
woman had placed on her eyes. 1t did
neither of us any great harm. She,
child-like. was very curious about the
shells, regarding them as the most
precious possessions; and / told her
great deal about them, and about the
coasts on which they were gathered,
never suspecting until now that / had
so much to tell worth listening to.
would pause sometimes, doubtful
whether it was worth listening to, but
she Invariably wound me up again by
crying, softly and eagerly, go on; go
on and on | would go, as well pleased
as she was herself.
At sea again, l thought much of her
and of her fairy ways, which were a
new and delightful experience in my
rough life. On my return, l found her
as before in my mothers cottage, and |
made a kind of castle with the shells,
with windows and turrets in it, and
a place inside for candles; and if /
had not already won her heart, 1 won
it on the presentation of this toy. But
a childs heart is not hard to win.
So the years went by, and | reached
the age of forty. l had been on my
longest voyage, and had gone through
some dangers unnecessary to relate,
and it was with more than ordinary
satisfaction that l walked with light
step to the cottage of Beecroft, Mariner.
My heart glowed as l drew near to
the old familiar spot, noting little
signs by the way which, insignificant
though they might be, were to me en-
dearing landmarks. Nothing was
changed not even my old mother,
who pressed me once more to her faith
full heart, with tears and words of
joy.
And Mabel?" l asked. my little
maid"
My mother looked with smile across
my shoulder, and i turned and saw her.
But il seemed TO me that | was gaz-
ing on a fairy vision in a cloud, and
for a moment or two ! was spell-bound
Was this fair and beautiful creature
the Mabel l had left behind? Was
this lovely vision my little maid?
Yes. 1t was she, and no vision that
would vanish at good rub of the
eyes. She came toward me with smiles
and outstretched hands. / took them
and held them in mine, and we stood
gazing at each other, | in wonder, she
with smiles upon her face. Hitherto
had always kissed her, and she had
kissed me, but either my wonder, or
the new light in which she appeared to
mo now caused mo IN hold hack And
after the first moment or two, the OPP
portunity was gone. ] can't tell you
how badly l felt over 1t. Something
sweet seemed TO have gone out of
my life, leaving behind an aching feel
ing in my breast. She did not appear
to feel as felt, for she was full of
eager words, while mine came slowly