The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1901-11-14
CHAPTnR TX

| O1Af L LII IN.
Very different this time was Mary's
ride with Mr.. Knight from what 1t had
been some months before, and after
brushing away a few natural tears, and
sending back few heart-sighs to the low
ed ones left behind, her spirits rallied,
and by the time they reached the borders
of Rice Corners there was such a look
Of quiet happiness on her face that even
Mr.. knight noticed It. As they rode on
Mary fancied that the country looked
pleasanter and the houses better than
in the region Of the poorhouse; and when
a sudden turn of the road brought into
view a beautiful blue sheet OF water. EN-
bosomed by bright green hills, her delight
knew no bounds. Springing up and point
ing toward it, she exclaimed; "Oh. please
stop a moment and look. Isn't 1t loyely7
What is itY'
That? Oh, that's nothing but 'Por-
dunk Pond or as folks most generally
call 'em, seeln' there's two. North and
South Pond"
How far Is the pond from Mrs. Ma
son'sY asked Mary, casting longing
glances toward the distant sandy beach
and the graceful trees which dropped
/ OVER the WuAtT . tuBt-
ITS farther back than It's there, cause
It's uphill all the way" said Mr.. Knight.
but here we be at Miss Mason's-this
house right here" and he pointed to a
neat handsome cottage, almost hidden
from view by the dense foliage which
surrounded It,
There was a long lawn In front, and
into the carriage road on the right of it
Mr.. Knight turned. and driving up to a
side door, said to Mary, "Come, jump
down, for my foot is so lame | don't be-
lieye III get out. But there's your chest
You can't lift that. Hallooi Judith.
come ere"
In answer to this call a fat, pleasant
looking colored woman appeared In the
doorway, and as II fresh from the regions
Of cookdom wiped the drops of perspira-
ton from her round, jolly face.
Here, Judith said Mr. Knight help
this gal lift her traps out"
Judith complied. and then bidding old
Charlotte to get up" Mr.. Knight drove
away, leaving Mary standing by the
/ kitchen door
Come in and sit down. said Judith.
| pushing a chair toward Mary with her
foot Its as hot here as an oven, but
had crambry sass aud ginger snaps and
massey knows what, TO make this morning
and | got belated; but set down and
make yourself to home.p
Mary took the proffered seat, and then
Judith left the room for a few moments,
saying when she returned that, as Mrs.
Mason was still suffering from head
ache, she could not see Mary until after
dinner. And" continued Judith, 'she
told me to entertain you, but don't know
what TO say nor do first Harry died
just a week TO a day before he was to be
married, and so | never had any little
girls to talk to. Can't you think OF some
thing to talk about? What have you
been used TO doing"
washing Dishes" was Mary's reply,
"Wall," answered Judith, II guess you
won't have that 10 do here for one night;
when some Of the neighbors were In |
heard Miss Mason tell EN- that she got
You to read to her and wait on her And
then she said something about your not
having an equal chance with your sister.
You liant but one, now t'other's dead,
have youY
Mary replied In the negative, and Ju-
dith continued wall, now you've got
over the first ont, | reckon you's glad
the baby's dead, for she must have been
kind OF a bother, wasn't she?"
Instantly Mary's thoughts flew back to
an empty cradle, and again a little golden
head was pillowed upon her breast, as
often in times past it had been, and as
1t would never be again. Covering her
face with her hands, she sobbed, "Oh.
Allie, Allie | wish she hadn't diedl'
Judith looked on in amazement, and for
want of something better to do placed a
fresh stick Of wood in the stove, mutter-,
ing to herself, Now, neveri | might
of knew | didn't know what to say, What
a pity Harry died. III give her that big
ginger snap the minute it's baked. See II
don't."
Accordingly, when the snap was done,
Judith placed II in Mary's hands, bidding
her eat it quick, and then go up and see
the nice chamber Mrs. Mason had ar
ranged for her
Come" said Judith; and leading the
way, she conducted Mary up the stair
ease. and through light, airy hall to the
door of a small room, which she opened.
saying. Look, amt it pretty 2"
Mary's heart was too full TO speak, and
for several minutes she stood silent. With
the exception of her mothers pleasant
parlor In old England, she had never be-
fore seen anything which seemed to her
40 cosy and cheerful as did that little
ROOM with its single bed, snowy counter
pane. muslin curtains, clean mating, CON
venient toilet table and what TO her was
fnirer than all the rest, upon the mGntel-
piece there stood two small vases, filled
with sweet flowers, whose fragrance Gill
ed the apartment with delicious perfume.
All this was so different from the bare
walls. uncovered floors and rickety furni-
ture of the poorhouse that Mary trem-
bed lest it should prove dream from
which ere long she would awake.
When Mary was finally sent for by
Mrs. Mason she had been 50 much accus-
toned to sick persons that she knew in
tutively just what to do and when 10
do 1t. and her step was so light, her voice
so low, and the hand which bathed the
aching head so soft and gentle in its touch
that Mrs. Mason invountarily drew her
to her bosom, and kissing her lips, called
her her child, and said she should never
leave her; then. laying back in her easy
chair, she remained perfectly still, while
Mary alternately fixed her hair and
smoothed her forehead until she fell into
quiet slumber, from which she did not
awake until Judith rang the bell for sup
per which was neatly laid out IN little
dining parlor, opening into the flower gar.
den. There was something so very social
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