Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-05-16
CHAPTER l1.-tContinued.)


shilling will buy milk for Allie and crack
ers for mother-take it."
mo, Frankly" answered Mary. "you
would have no pillow; besides, I've got
something more valuable, which car
sell. I've kept it long. but it must so Il
keep us from starving"-and she held tc
view the golden locket which George
Moreland had thrown around her neck.
You shan't sell that" said Frank
"You must keep 1t to remember George
and then, too, you may want 1t more some
other time"
Mary finally yielded the point, and
gathering up the crumpled jacket started
in quest Of Billy Bender. He was q
kind-hearted boy, two years older than
Frank. whom he had often befriended
and shielded from the jeers Of their com
panions. He did not want the jacket, fol
it was a vast deal too small; and 1t was
only in reply to proposal from Frank
that he should buy 1t that he had casual
ly offered him a shilling. But now, when
he saw the garment, and learned why ii
was sent, he Immediately drew from his
old leather wallet quarter, all the
money he had in the world, and giving
1t to Mary. babe her keep it, as she would
need it all.
Half an hour after cooling orange
was held to Franks parched lips, and
Mary said, Drink, brother; I've got two
more, besides some milk and bread" but
the ear she addressed was deaf and the
eye dim with the fast-falling shadow OF
death. "Mother! mother! cried the lit
tie girl, "Franky won't drink, and his
forehead is all sweat
Mrs. Howard had been much worse
that day, but agony made her strong.
Springing to his side, she wiped from
his brow the cold moisture which had
so alarmed her daughter. chafed his
hands and feet, and bathed his head, UNI
til he seemed better and fell asleep.
Fast the shades of night came on, and
when all was dark in the sick room Mary
sobbed out. I'VE have no candle, moth
er. and il go for one, and he should
die"
The sound of her voice aroused Frank,
and feeling for his sisters hand, he said,
''Don't so, Mary: don't leave me-the
moon is shining bright, and guess can
find my way to God just as WE'LL"
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. then through
the dinsy windows the silvery moonlight
fell. MS IL indeed to light the way Of the
early lost to heaven. Mary had drawn
her mothers lounge to the side of the
trundle bed, and In state Of almost per
feet exhaustion Mrs. Howard lay gasp
ing for breath, while Mary, as II con
scious Of the dread reality about to oc
cur, knelt by her side. Once Mrs. How.
ard laid her hands on Mary's head, and
prayed that she might be preserved and
kept from harm by the God Of the or.
phan, and that the sin of disobedience
resting ON her own head might not BE-
visited upon her child.
After time 4 troubled sleep came up.
on her and she slept until reused by q
low sob. Raising herself up, she looked
anxiously toward her children. The
moonbeams fell upon the white, placid
face of Frank, who seemed calmly sleep
ing, while over him Mary bent. pushing
back from his forehead the thick clus-
tering curls, and striving hard to smoth.
turb her mother.
docs he sleep?" asked Mrs. Howard,
and Mary, covering with her hands the
face Of him who slept, answered:
Turn away, mother-don't look at
him. Frankly Is dead. He died with his
arms around my neck, and told me not
to wake you."
Mrs. Howard was in the last stages OF
consumption. and now she lay back, half.
fainting upon her pillow. Toward day.
light violent coughing fit ensued. and
she knew that she was dying Reckoning
Mary to her side, she whispered, II am
leaving you alone in the wide world. Be
kind to Ella and our dear little Allie,
and go with her where she goes. May
God keep and bless you my precious chill
dren-and reward you as you deserve, my
darling"
The sentence was unfinished, and in
unspeakable awe the orphan girl knelt
between her mother and brother-shud-
dering In the presence of death, and
then weeping to think that she was alone
CHAPTER III.
Just on the corner Of Chicopee Com.
mon, and under the shadow of the CEN
tury-od elms which skirt the borders OF
the grass plat called by the villagers the
"Mall," stands the small red cottage OF
Widow Bender, who in her way was
quite curiosity. All the ellis which flesh
is heir to" Widow Bender. il she could
ascertain the symptoms. was sure to have
in the most aggravated form.
On the morning following the events
narrated in the last chapter Billy. whose
dreams had been disturbed by thoughts
OF Frank, arose early, determined to call
at Mrs. Towards and see II they were
in want Of anything. But his mother
who had heard rumors Of the scarlet fe.
yer. was up before him. and on descend.
ing to the kitchen Billy found her sittins
before blazing fire-her feet in hot wat.
err and her head thrown back in a manner
plainly showing that something new had
talen hold Of her in good earnest.
"Oh William" said she. i've lived
through Il sight. but my time has come at
last. Such pain in my head and stom-
ach. do believe I've got the scarlet
fever. and you must run for the doctor,
quick"
Scarlet fever!" repeated Billy: "why
you've had it once, and you cant have it
again. can you?"
"Oh. | don't know never was like
anybody else and can have anything a
dozen times. Now be spry AMI fetch the
doctor; but before you go han me my
snuff box and put the canister top heapin'
full of tea into the teapot"