The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1901-12-12


her life, and. following her companions To
her seat, she left Mr.. Stuart standing in
the doorway. With her usual poiteness,
Mary came forward and received the
stranger, who gave his name as Mr. Stu
art, saying ''he felt much interested in
common schools, and therefore had ven
tured to call"
Offering the seat of honor. Mary re-
sumed her usual duties, occasionally
casting look Of curiosity at the stranger,
whose eyes seemed constantly upon her.
1t was rather warm that day, and when
Mary returned from her dinner Widow
Perkins was greatly shocked at seeing
her attired in a light pink muslin dress,
the short sleeves of which showed to good
advantage her round, white arms. A mar
row velvet ribbon confined by a small
brooch and black silk apron, completed
her toilet. with the exception of a tiny
locket. which was suspended from her
neck by a slender gold chain. This last
ornament Immediately riyeted Mr.. Stu
arts attention, and from some strange
cause sent the color quickly TO his face.
After a time, as II TO ascertain whether
1t were really locket or a watch, he ask
ed "if Miss Howard could tell him the
hour?
Certainly, sir" said she, and stepping
to the desk and consulting a silver time
piece about the size Of dining plate,
she told him that it was half-past three.
When school was out Mr.. Stuart, who
seemed in no haste whatever. entered in
to a lively discussion with Mary concern
ing schools and books, adroitly managing
to draw her out upon all the leading top
les of the day. At last the conversation
turned upon flowers; and when Mary
CHANGED to mention Mrs. Mason's beauti-
full garden he instantly expressed a great
desire to see 1t, and finally offered to ac-
company Mary home, provided she had
no objections. She could not, OF course,
say no, and the Widow Perkins came
very near letting her buttermik biscuit
burn to a cinder when she saw the young
man walking down the road with Mary.
Arrived at Mrs. Mason's, the stranger
managed to make himself so agreeable
that Mrs. Mason invited him to stay to
tea. Whoever he was, he seemed to un-
derstand exactly how to find out what
ever he wished to know; and before tea
was over he had learned of Mary's in
tention to attend the academy In VIII
braham the next autumn.
Finally he said goodnight, leaving
Mary and Mrs. Mason to wonder-the
one what he came there for, and the 9TH
er whether he would ever come again
The widow, too, wondered and fdgeted
as the sun went down behind the long
hill.
at beats all mater what's kept him 30
long" said she, when he at last appear
ed and, unfastening his horse, drove off
at a furious rate; but il / live I'll know
all about 1t tomorrow and with this
consolatory remark she returned to the
best room and for the remainder OF the
evening devoted herself to the entertain
ment OF Uncle Jim and his wife, Aunt
Dolly.
That evening Mr.. knight, who had
been to the postofice, called at Mrs. Ma
sons, bringing with him a letter which
bore the Boston postmark. Passing 1t TO
Mary, he winked at Mrs. Mason, saying,
II kinder guess how all this writin'
works will end; but hain't there been a
young chap to see the schoolP
yes; how did you know itT returned
Mrs. Mason, while Mary flushed more
deeply than she did when Billy's letter
was handed her.
u9f 9Du bctt dhshtHtn MI hulgHL,
81 was about at the foot of the Blanch-
ard hill, when l see buggy coming like
Jehu. Just as It got agin me 1t kinder
sackened and the fore wheel ran of
smack and scissors"
WAS he hurt?" quickly asked Mary.
Not bit ont" said Mr.. Knight, but
he was scared some, | guess. | got out
and helped him, and when he heard Is
A.r. H.. l.otI
school. Then he asked forty-'leven aues-
tons about you. and jest as was settin
you up high, who should come a-canterin
up, with their long-tailed gowns, and hats
like men, but Ella Campbell and a great
white-eyed pucker, that came home with
her from school? either, Elias horse was
scary or she did 1t purpose, for the
mint she got near it began to rare, and
she would have fell off II that man hadn't
catched it by the bit and held her on
with t'other hand. | allus was the most
sanguinary Of men, and / was building
castles about him and our little school
marin. when Ella came along, and | gin
it up, for | see that he was took, and
she did look handsome, with her curls a
hyin' WALL as | wasn't OF no more use,
| whipped up old Charlotte and come on"
when did Ella return? % asked Mary,
who had not before heard OF her sisters
arrival.
II don't know" said Mr.. knight. "The
first / see Of her was cuttin' through
the streets on the dead run; but I mustn't
stay here gabbin', so goodnight, Miss
goodnight, Mary-hope you've
got good news in that ar letter."
The moment he was gone Mary ran up
| to her room to read her letter, from
which we give the following extract:
You must have forgotten George More
land, or you would have mentioned him
to me. | like him very much, indeed, and
yet could not help feeling a little Jealous
when he manifested SO much interest In
you. Sometimes, Mary, 1 think that for
brother, | am getting too selfish, and
do not wish anyone to like you except
myself, but | surely need not feel SO to-
ward George, the best friend | have In
Boston. He is very kind. lending me
books, and has even offered to use his In.
fuence in getting me a situation In one
OF the best law offices In the city,
After reading this letter Mary sat for
long time thinking of George Moreland
of the time when she first knew him
of all that William Bender had been "a
her since-and wondering, as girls some
times will, which she liked the best. Billy
unquestionably had the strongest claim
to her love. but could he have known
how much satisfaction she felt in think
ing that George still remembered and fell
interested In her he would have had some
reason for fearing, as he occasionally did
| that she would never he IN him au0bi