The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-27
Copyrighted. 1900. by Kate Epson Clark
CHAPTER TX
TON IN FARLEIGH.

A SENSATION IN FARLEIGH.
There was a little water in a pail In the
corner With this Mark sprink.ed Widdah
GerRhom's wrinkled face and wet her lips.
Presently she came to herself. The instant
that she opened her eyes she sprang half
upright, with a scream of terror. The boys
knew just how she felt. They had been
"there" themselves within about five min
utes. There was, therefore, an acute SYM
pathy in the gentle efforts which they all
made In body to compose and reassure
the shaking old creature. Whit MacDon-
aid, in rumaging around the place. found
in a neat little cupboard in a corner
supply Of coffee. sugar and milk. He sug-
gested that some coffee be boiled and I'M
rnedately passed around. In very brief
time his suggestions were put into prac-
tfoe. There was bread on a Shelf ana
bag OF potatoes was hanging in a corner.
While Arthur and Percy endeavored to
soothe and wait upon the old woman. the
others got up a good breakfast. 1t was
half past five when this was placed. smok-
ing. upon the rough board which had serv-
"a Widdah Gershom for a table. she
had only few eating utensils, but the
boys managed to get along very well with
these and the additional aids which ma
ture had provided. They had spread the
breakfast out OF doors While they were
eating, the old lady. who had become quite
calm under the affectionate and sympa-
thetic ministratons of Arthur and Percy.
made the best toilet that her scanty means
permitted. Then she came out and Joined
them and had her share Of the ample meal
which they had prepared.
She seemed n little wandering and light
headed. but she answered all their Ques-
lions nationally and, now that she knew
who they were, seemed positively glad to
see them.
Where did you get this nice milk" in
arl ha Io1 fo xptt
"Such lot of II. too!'
"Oh, there's a COW In the pasture, two
or three miles over on the other side of
the HILL" replied the old woman. in her
weak, quavering voice II go over there
every night after dark and milk her"
"Myl and then you have to bring 1t clear
back here! i should think you would spill
IT," cried Arthur. admiringly. Arthur
spilled his berries on an average Of about
once a week all the time.
"Oh, didn't mind" said the old woman,
vaguely. II only didn't want anybody to
see me-"
"And where did you get the pail and
these dishes and things?" asked Whit Nc
Donald.
II didn't steal 'em" exclaimed the old
woman, tremblingly. Indeed young gen.
tlemen. didn't steal EN-"
''Oh, of course, you didn't" Whit has
tened to assure her. politely. II only
thought how clever you were to have such
handy ones. When I go of camping I
generally find we haven't got half of the
things we ought to have. We forget 'em
awfully."
IT don't mind telin' you" quavered
Widdah Gershom, after a rather embar-
raised pause. during which Roger waited
a little I'm the great gulp Of roasted potato
which he had been taking down without
any pretense of mastication. 81 don't
mind tellin' you-only wish you wouldn't
tell--that I got everything from Mr.. Ben
sons sugar house. down on the old Bates
place. I'm dreadful careful of everything.
I'm goin to take everything back. l only
borrowed 'em for a spell. You be careful,
won't you, young gentlemen? i wouldn't
bpeak anything for the world. because 1t
amt mine-its Mr.. Benson's. And when
all back I'm his sugar house again."
my! Were yon planning to stay up here
all winter" gaspsd Lyman, pointing up to
the chnks in the broken roof. why, you
haven't any door or window. You would
freeze"
"They that trust in the Lord shall renew
their strength" quoted the good woman
piously. II amt afraid to stay anywhere,
Lyman; God will take care of me-"
"Well. you have been pretty lucky GER
tainly." said Mark. frowning at Victor and
Percy. who were beginning to giggle at
this literal Interpretation of Scripture.
"You seem to have been pretty comfort
able up here But somebody saw you, in
spite of all your pains"
Dear, dear dearl Who was it?"
"Oh, some of the hunters and strolling
men who are always around. They thought
YOU were IA ghost. That's the reason we
came up here. We expected to a
ghost"
Mark laughed. C1e felt more like laugh
ing now than he had an hour ago. But
widdah Gershom did not laugh at all.
She only kept saying; "Oh, desrl Oh
dear, | didn't want anybody to find me-
but you see we found you said Mark.
1--WE have boen hunting for you before this
summer, but then we didn't find YOU. All
The men In town hunted for you for days.
We all thought you must be dead"
mo. | wasn't dead" Her eyes gilt
tered and wild look came over her face.
81 just ran away. | couldn't stand II any
longer. ! had 10 run away"
We'll" began Mark. He was going TO
cay, We will take you back now" but he
did not know how she would receive this
announcement. She evidently did not
want TO 40 back to the Skiltons. He
thought a moment In the meantime Ar
thur was draining tho last drops from the
coffee pot into his own cup-a broken tin
measure. which he had shared with Percy
well" began Mark again. we don't
want to leave you hare all alone We had
better take you down 10 the road some
where Then We can set some farmer to
harness up and take you home Where DO
YOU want 20 co.
"Oh. not anywhere burst forth the
poor old creature beginning 10 cry. Il
want to stay here-here In my own lit
lie home
Tears rose to tho boys eyes. This mis-
cradle 'ramshackle" little shed was IN
deed. all the home that poor Widdah
GershOm possessed
a happy thought occurred TO Mark.
How would YOU like TO 60 and stay with
Mrs Suckpey q" he suggested
WlddRh Gershom stopped crying She
wiped her eyes with an old rag which sAt
Was using as a pocket handkerchief
That Is better" she said. weakly III
Hike to SEQ MIS-. Suoknoy nrst rate. ans
Ia like 10 have some az her good tea"
Boys" whispered Mark. we've go
enough money already TO keep this on,
there was q few weeks at least There
one good thing We can do" lie aiaet
aloud: We'll We will carry you righ
down TO Mrs. Stickney's. I'm pretty sur,
tfse ~ q