Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-08-09

said Mrs. Campbell, stirling up from her
pillow. but no; it cannot be. Your
mother 10 lying in C%hicopee, and ella.
my sister, died in England"
Every particle of color had left Mary's
face, and her eyes, now black as mid
night. stared wildly at Mrs. Campbell.
The sad story. which her mother had
once told her. came back to her mind,
bringing with it the thought which had
SO agitated her companion.
Yes she continued, without noticing
what Mrs. Campbell had said, my moth
err was ELLA Temple, and she had two
sisters. one her own, and the other a
half-sister-Sarah Fletcher and Jane
Temple-both of whom came to America
many years ago"
Tell me more-tell me all you know"
whispered Mrs. Campbell, graspins
Mary's hand; land how it came about
that 1 Thought she was dcad-my sister,"
Upon this point Mary could throw no
light. but of all that she had heard from
her mother she told. and then Mrs. Camp
bell, pointing to her writing desk, said:
Bring it to me. must read that let
ter again"
Mary cbcyed. and taking out n much
soiied. blotted letter, Mrs. Campbell ask
ca her to read it aloud. 1t was as fol
lows:
Daughter Jane-I now take this oppor.
tunity of informing YOU that I've lost
our sister Ella, and have now no child
saving yourself. who, if you behave we'll,
will be my only heir. Sonhtimes l wish
YOU were here, for it's lonesome living
alone. but l suppose you're better off
where you are. DO you know anything
of that girl Sarah? Her cr%oss-grained
uncle has never written me a word since
he left England. If l live three years
longer l shall come to America, aud III
til that time, alieu. Your father,
"HESRY TEMPLE"
"How short and cold!" was Mary's first
exclamation, for her impressions of her
grandfather were not very agreeable.
ut is like all his LETTERS" answered
Mrs. Campbell. But it was cruel to
make me think Ella was dead, for how
else could l suppose he had lost herr"
Then. as the conviction came over her
that Mary was indeed the child of her
w sister, she wound her arms about her
neck. and kissing her lips, murmurcd.
My child-Mary. oh. had l known this
sooner, you should not have been so cru
ely deserted. and little Allie should new
cr have died in the almshousc. But you'll
never leave me now, for all that have
is yours-yours and Elias"
The thought of ELLA touched n new
chord. and Mrs. C%ampbcll's tears wero
rendered less bitter by the knowledge
that She had cared for, and been n mothec
to, one of her sisters orphan children.
II know now, why, from the first, I
felt so drawn toward Ella, and why her
clear, large eyes are so much like my own
lost darling's, and even you. Mary"
Here Mrs. Campbell paused, for proud
as she now was of Mary, there had been
a time when the naughty lady turned
away from the sober, homely little child
who begged so pitcously ITO go with
Ella" where there was room and to spare.
All this came up in sad review before
Mrs. Campbell. and as she recalled the
incidents Of her sisters death, and
thought of the noble little Frank. who
often went hungry and cold that his
fed. she felt that her heart would burst
with its weight Of sorrow.
Oh" said she, ito die so near me
my only sister. and l never know it
never so near her. 1 with all my wealth.
as much hers as minc-and she dying Of
starvation"
Wipins the hot tears from her
eyes, Mary strove to comfort her aunt
by telling how affectionately her mother
had always remembered her. And even
on the night of her DEATH said she. "she
spoke of you. and babe me, if l ever
found vow. love you for her sake"
will you, do you love meg asked Mrs.
Campbell.
fMary's warm kiss upon her cheek. and
the loving clasp of her arms around her
aunt's neck, was a sufficient answe
"Do you know aught of my Aunt
Sarah?' Mary asked Mt last; and Mrs.
Campbell replied:
Nothing definite. From father we first
heard that she was i'll New York, and
then Aunt Norris wrote to her nclc. max.
ing inquiries concerning her. l think the
Flctchers We're rather peculiar in their
dispositions. n were probably Jealous
of our family, for the letter was long un.
answered. and when at last Sarah's uncle
wrote, he said. that independent of old
Temples aid she had received II good
education;' adding further that she had
married and gone West, and that he was
intending soon to follow her. He neither
gave the name of her husband nor the
place to which they We're going. and as
all our subsequent letters We're unanswer.
ed. l know not whether she is lead OF
alive; but often when l think how alone
! am, without n relative in the world.
have prayed and wept that she might
come back; for though l never saw her
that l remember. she was my mothers
child, and ! should love her for that"
CTo be cohtinued.)