The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-02-12

and an unmlsNak3bse troWn SdiheIea be-
tween her eyes They surrey 90 not IN
tend to thrust her into the cases Oh the
SCHOOL,"
why not?" said Alice Mason. ouicS-
~. something IN the attitude Of the girl
standing there with longing looks at the
mountain DeyoLd toucned ner.
20 Alice" bertha turned pcttlshiy
away. you wJlld not understand, you
are so wofuliy democratic; bat you
might see.
Il see that she IS a girl. and she looks
very lonely" replied Alice. as she noted
the mournful snake Of the head as tho
object OF their conversation turned re-
iuctantly froia the spot.
Ethel had reported tho matter cor
rcctly.
Barbara Doane had been found by Miss
Arnold and her assistant Miss Pell. in
a walk the two had taken over the
mountain She previous sumner.
As they drank from the gourd at the
spring gurg.ing by a neat mountain ca
bin their attention was drawn TO
carefully tended grave and they learned
the story Of Mrs. Doanes life.
Barbaras father had fallen In the fed
eral service during the civil war. The
grave was that Of an unknown Confede-
rate soldier whom Mrs. DOane and tho
child Barbara had found one night close
by that very s7r.nr unconscious and
wounded 20 death. They had cared for
him during the few hours ~ his life,
and had buried him with their own
hands
THAR war nothln 81 ID tell who he
mought be-Onlv jest o pictcr. WIZ an.
An Barb ~ hev allus keered Yer the
grave. She hev the feelin hits fer her
daddy" Mrs. Doane explained. with
nod q the girl who stood hungrily de-
youring tho party before her with her
eyes
what can She dor" Miss Arnold had
asked with a growing interest, as che
saw the bright eyes. flushed check. and
frame ou.vering with excitement
"she kin plough an berry, but her
min calls fer Iarnin She be more fav-
orcd ter sach nor 70 Their plough She
flows ht be boun' ter come eli she bent
in no sense hender'd; but / be enable
ter holm hcr"
what would you DO If you had tho
lcaruinc?'- asked Miss Arnold, turning TO
Che girl
barbara gave one sweeping glance far
about her. as she threw out her arms
in comprehensive gesture and answer
ed with an earncstness that caused the
shyness TO disappear and won Miss arm
olds heart
ct aims ter ho'p the mount'n."
1T IS too bad" said Miss Arnold rs
they walked on. Even that SIN sees
the work 10 be done Ia these mountains.
and longs 10 help. 7 only wish I was
blessed with something more than the
good will Of my patrons
you sre-With helping inc'n' ions"
wos her companions prompt reply.
So Il came about that after many con-
ferences Miss Pell brought the mountain
girl TO Lyndon.
Barbara had asked her mother but one
question: "Be yer p'rm' sure Won hen't
keern'. mow?" And Mrs Doane had an-
swered back with Spartan hrmness. "liit
De yer chance tO Git tibet Yer ben hank
rim for. Ya-as ! be plum sure"
So Barbara found herself IN the new
life: and II IN the mountain cabin the
lone wom9n's heart aChed for compan-
ionship. Barbara never was let % guess
DO save from her own loneliness. And
The new life was a strange life 90 Bar
bara.
Barbara progress was almost marvel
lous. however. She was di'i-ent and OBJ
servant Soon the odd speech became
wonderfully modified BUT her eyes took
ON q far-awav look as the weeks and
months passed. with the same indifor-
ence manifested 10 her. More and more
often. morning and night she sought
the Open court from which there was
au unODstructed view of the eastern
heights.
10 was at one of these vigils that Alice
found her wiping away fast falling
tears.
"Iut war nothin'" she stoutly main
tanned SURF scd into the familiar speech;
bat thereafter Alice by her own request,
shared Miss Pcus tutorship. and Rar-
o8ra learned more rapidly from the COM
radcship.
alice is 'holpin' tho mountn' Ethel
sarcasUcaHy remarked. and Bertha con-
tended with q displCasod shrug that 10
was the first step toward putting She
gil on the level with themselves.
81 ana doing what I think IS right.
She IS lonely. and she has feelings. as
We have said Alice gently but hrmy,
and She continued her cOulse.
But one day Barbara overheard cutting
remarks and thoughtless mimicry That
day neither Miss Pell nor Alice saw her
az The appointed hour. The next morn
Ing a physician was summoned for BAR
bara.
"A slow fever" he pronounced A. add
Ing. as he learned more of her: mo
wonder 4 wCod-thrush does not take
kindly 90 a cage. especially apart from
IAN bird kind She needs to sec bright
faces and hear cheering wol DIS.
Tue gir.s felt "a twinge of femorse
when Miss Arnold casually repeated
what the doctor mad sail, and INC pin
cinal OF Lyndon was glad 10 note the
stirring ct noble impulses as several
volunteered 20 sit with her. IL WAS AH'c
however who was the first TO 20.
you uns air mighty good said Bar
bara. relapslng feebiy into the mountain
spoech But" she looked toward the
window longingly It'd holp me most
ter see somethin' from home Thar war
a bit o. laurel In yonder drawer
Alice rose at the suggestion. and OPEN
ed the drawer. AS she searched box
opened under her hand. She stood still
In surprise. She turned to- the bed with
sharp words trembling upon her lips.
but a wave of pity checked them. SHE
slipped something into her pocket and
closed the drawer.
81 cannot find the laurel" she said
briefly.
Something in the tone. so cold it seem
ed TO Barbara. caused her 20 shrink Sill
emily back upon her pillow and muiey
accept the excuse as 90 lessons which
Alice made soon 90 order TO leave the
room
when Siiss Pen came I'm q few nom
ents later the home-ick feeling had
grown 20 be unhelraOle.
"Please look Miss Pell iost a SIGHT o
s1mohn' that KEN from TIE mount H.
She pleaded feverishiy Thar war a
box
Miss Pou found the box. barbara
seized % eagerly. "lIit a'lus makes RE
think o. daadv-the soldiers pictor on,
whar he my nicter?"-C@urch Register.
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.
tOnfra los.