The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1899-07-13
~ HE meadow was all pearled over

graham gems on the table, and nodded
TO her father coming in from the fields
with his black rlbboned straw hat III
ais hand.
Well puss." said the farmer, with q
smile, how did you enjoy yourself last
ulght. listening 10 this flne new lee
turerf'
oh. 50 much, fatherr' cried Abigail
1.-The hall was crowded. and | don't
know whether we all cried or laughed
Dftenesf. oh. father she added, what
\ grand thing 1t must be 10 be able 10
move peoples hearts like that"
"Hnmph." said Elihu Wray. "In my
time women used to stay at home and
mind the house aud look after thelI
children. Instead OF going tramping
around HE country giving lectures"
But Miss Perceyal has neither hus-
band nor children. father" urged Abb
gail. And don't suppose she has any
home 10 look after"
Miss Perceyal? That's her name,
Is IT,
Father, | wish you'd go to hear herr
cried eager Abigail. I'm sure she'd
make you laugh and cry, tool You
couldn't help It, She isn't pretty, you
see, but she has such an expressive
face, with bright, sparkling eyes like
BIRDS"
Il knew n woman once" slowly ut
tered Wray. "who took TO speechifying
In public. Nobody would have thought
IT OF her, either-the quietest, shyest
little thing Ia the world. But there is
no accounting for women. l never
heard her, but I'm told she made sue
cess OF II. Her name was Daggett"
Father. you'll 20 with me to night.
wont yongn coaxed Abigail. dot Just
TO please me. do so want you TO hear
Miss Perceyal. John Tracy-hes on
the committee. you know-he says they
pay her fifty dollars night She must
have a deal Of money laid up. Oh, |
wish | had talent like thatr'
Tut. tut. my little girl" said the
farmer as he sprlnkled sugar over his
heaplng saucer Of blueberrles. 81 don't
wish 1t at all. What should do II Won
went leetnring half over the continent
T and left me here alone? %
"Bnt. father | must leave You some
time" reasoned Abigail. Every girl
does"
Then you're not going to become A
/ little old maid for my sake, ell, puss?"
Abigail laughed. shot rogulsh
I glance at him from beneath the dark
curtain Of her eyebrows. and shook her
head
All girls marry. father" she said
Your Miss Perceyal hasn't got mar.
rled, II seems
NO, father. She can do better"
Don't YOU believe that. my girl"
said Mr.. Wray. "There Is no better
! fortune In all the world than to marry.
II you can marry the person you love"
Getting sentimental?" Abigail ask
ed elapplng her plump hands.
at amt sentiment. child. It's com.
mon sense sturdlly maintained Wray.
Father" abruptly spoke Abigail.
I've often wondered why you did not
marry again"
II lie looked up In amazement.
Because added the girl "mother
never WAS much of Il companion for
you. She was always sick and com
planning, and she didn't care for books,
as you did, and she fretted at every lit.
tie thing. until used TO wonder at
your patience with her. oh, you see.
| noticed all these things child though
You thought | was. And sine told ule
once
She checked herself abruptly. Wray
looked at her with grave surprise.
Told you what Ablgailf'
81 don't know whether ought TO re-
peat II, father" said Abigail, coming
around to his Side aud resting her
clasped hands lightly ON his shoulder.
ut was the day before she died; and
she told me lots OF things, besides,
that did not know. She said she ney-
er had any real right TO your heart:
that you never had cared for her. and
that She didn't deserve that you should
and that there was another girl"
''There, puss, there" said the farm
er. with strange CULVER IN his stern
eyelld. "Mother was Eighty toward the
last. We'll forget these things"
But, father, IL its Lucia Lee-as
mstrust It is-and If you'd be any hap
pier married TO her. won't make any
trouble" pleaded Abigail IN he the
best stepdaughter In the world; | only
want you 10 he happy. father"
We'll. 1t isn't Lucia Lee" said Mr.
Wray, laughing, and IL 1t was. why
you'd be crazy, child, to think OF get
ting me into such a scrape at fifty-odd
years old
But you're oung-looking. Gather,
and handsome" urged Abigail.
Nonsense! There, give me some
more coffee. Those lazy fellows In the
ten-acre lot will be sure TO dawdle
away the time until get back to them
Let's hear something more about this
lecturlng old maid of yours he added.
Father, hushr'
Abigail had gone back TO her seat be-
hind the tray. where she faced the
wide, open door. She could see figure
standing hesitatingly on the Threshold;
her father was quite obliylous TO its
presence.
Its Miss Perceval herself! cried
Abigail, jumping up. please walk IN,
Miss Perceval, I'm SO glad to see you.
You don't know It. perhaps. but was
one Of your listeners last night, and
kept thinking how proud | should be
II ever had chance TO speak TO you!
Our name Is Wray. and am Abigail.
Father. this Is Miss Perceyalw