Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-05-28
saying, Come here, little daughter, and
let me touch you with the top of my
fourth finger


fourth finger
About noon the clouds broke away,
while here and there patch Of bright
blue sky was to be seen. But the roads
were SO muddy that Mary had no hope
of Billy's coming, and this it was, per-
haps, which made the dinner dishes so
hard to wash, and which made her cry
when told that all the knives and forks
must be secured, the teakettle wiped and
set with its nose north, in what Mrs.
Grundy called the "Pout Hole" and
which proved proved to be place under
the stairs, where pots, kettles and iron
ware generally were kept.
All things have an end, and so did the
securing, in spite of Mary's fears to the
contrary, and then watching time when
Mrs. Grundy did not see her, she stole
away upstairs. Taking Alice on her lap,
she sat down by the open window where
the damp air cooled and moistened her
flushed face. The rain was over, and
across the meadow the sun was shiging
through the tall trees, making the drops
OF water which hung upon the leaves
sparkle and flash in the sunlight like 80
many tiny rainbows. Mary watched them
for time, and then looking into the
road, she saw directly opposite the house
Billy Bender and with him Alice's cradle.
In a moment Mary's arms were thrown
around his neck as tightly as if she
thought he had the power and was come
to take her away
"Oh, Billy, Billy" said she. II was
me SO unhappy"
As Billy released her he was startled
at hearing some one call out, Bravo!
That, | conclude, is country hug. l
hope she won't try it on me!'
Turning about he saw before him a
white-faced boy, nearly of his own age,
whose dress and appearance indicated
that he belonged to higher grade, as far
as wealth was concerned. It was Henry
Lincoln, notorious both for pride and in
science. Billy, who had worked for Mr..
Lincoln, had been insulted by Henry
many a time, and now he longed to
avenge it, but native politeness taught
him that in the presence of Mary 'twould
not be proper, so without word to Hen
ry he whispered to the little girl, THAT
fellow lives near here, and if he ever
gives you trouble just let me know"
Kissed her then, didn't youY sneer-
ingly asked Henry, retreating at the same
time, for there was something in Billy's
eyes which he feared.
Come into the house." said Mary,
"where he can't see u.s." and leading the
way she conducted him up to her own
room, where there was no fear of being
interrupted.
Alice was first carefully fixed in her
cradle, and then kneeling down at Billy's
side, and laying her arms across his lap,
Mary told him of everything which had
happened. and finished by asking, chow
long she must stay here?"
Had Billy's purse been as large as his
heart, that question would have easily
been answered. Now he could only shake
his head in reply, while Mary next ask
ed if he had seen Ella.
Il have not seen her. returned he, 9.but
I've heard that rainy as it was this morn
ing. Mrs. Campbell's maid was out select
ing muslins and jaeonets for her, and
they say she is not to wear black. as Mrs.
Campbell thinks her too young
Mary did not speak for some time, but
her head dropped on Billy's knee, and
she seemed to be intently thinking. AT
fallen over her forehead, Billy said:
What are you thinking about?' ?'
81 was wondering if Ella wouldn't for
get me and Alice now she is rich and GO
ing to be lady. 'sa6
Billy had thought the same thing, and
lifting the little giFl in his lap, he replied
!" If she does, never will" and then he
told her again how when he was older