Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1899-06-24
7ro HE meadow was all pearled over


with dew; the August sun was
distilling sweetness from Abigail
Wrays clove-pinks and sweet will
iams, and the girl sang gayly at her
work, as she put the coffee and hot
graham gems on the table, and nodded
to her father coming in from the fields,
with his black-ribboned straw hat in
his hand.
"Well, puss," said the farmer, with
smile, chow did you enjoy yourself last
night, listening to this fine new lee
turer2"
"Oh, so much, fatherv cried Abigail
1.-THE hall was crowded, and l don't
know whether we all cried or laughed
oftenest Oh, father" she added, what
grand thing it must be to be able to
move peoples hearts like that!'
"Humph!" said Elthu Wray. I'm my
time women used to stay at home and
mind the house and look after their
children, instead Of going tramping
around the country giving lectures"
"But Miss Perceval has neither hus-
band nor children, father" urged Abb
gail. "And don't suppose she has any
home to look after"
Miss Perceval? That's her name,
is itY'
Father, l wish you'd go to hear her!"
cried eager Abigail. I'm sure she'd
make you laugh and cry, too! You
couldn't help it. She isn't pretty, you
see, but she has such an expressive
face, with bright, sparkling eyes like
BIRDS"
II knew q woman once" slowly ut
tered Wray, who took to speechifying
in public Nobody would have thought
1t of her, either-the Quietest, shyest
little thing in the world. But there is
no accounting for women. l never
heard her, but I'm told she made q sue
cess of it. Her name was Daggett."
Father, you'll go with me tonight,
won't you?" coaXed Abigail. do! Just
to please me. l do so want you to hear
Miss Perceval. John Tracy-he's 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 that"
''Tut, tut, my little girlw said the
farmer as he sprinkled sugar over his
heaping saucer of blueberries. II don't
wish 1t at all What should do If you
went lecturing half over the continent
and left me here alone?"
But, father l must leave you some
time" reasoned Abigail. Every girl
does"
Then you're not going to become
little old maid for my sake, Ell, puss?"
Abigail laughed, shot roguish
glance at him from beneath the dark
curtain of her eyebrows, and shook her
head.
"All girls marry. father" she said
Your Miss Perceval hasn't got mar
ried, 1t seems"
mo, 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.
If you can marry the person you love"
Getting sentimental?" Abigail ask
ed, clapping her plump hands.
ut amt sentiment, child. It's COM
mon sense" sturdily maintained Wray.
Father" abruptly spoke Abigail,
eve often wondered why you did not
marry again"
'T!' He looked up In amazement.
Because" added the girl, mother
never was much of 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 l used to wonder at
your patience with her. Oh, you see,
] noticed all these things. child though
you thought l was. And she told me
once"
She checked herself abruptly. Wray
looked at her with grave surprise.
Told you what, Abigail?"
81 don't know whether ought to re-
peat it, father" said Abigail, coming
around to his side and resting her
clasped hands lightly on his shoulder.
at was the day before she died; and
she told me lots of things, besides,
that did not know. She said she new
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 a strange culver in his stern
eyelid. Mother was Eighty toward the
last. Well forget these things"
But, father, if it's Lucia Lee-as
mistrust 1t Island If you'd be any hap
pier married to her, won't make any
trouble" pleaded Abigail. 'I'll be the
best stepdaughter in the world; only
want you to be happy, father"
well, 1t isn't Lucia Lee" said Mr..
Wray, laughing, land II 1t was, why
you'd be crazy, child. to think Of get