Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-06-20

ut being thus prevented from overwhelming
a conversation the nntule Of which she
could not even guess.
The stranger was at that moment smil-
ingly saying: "Tell me more about her.
Does she ever scold, or has she too
pretty Il mouth for that"'
mo, she never scolds," said Della
Frost, land she's got the incest white
teeth, and I guess she knows it. too. for
she shows them great DEAL"
''She's real white. too" rejoined Lydia
Knight Though pa says she used to be
yaller as saffron"
Here there was a gentle rap upon the
window, and the girls, starting off. ex-
claimed: "There, we must 20 in"
MAY 20. too" asked the stranger.
following them to the door. Introduce
me as Mr.. Stuart"
Lydia had never introduced anybody In
her life, and, following her companions to
her seat, she left Mr.. Stuart Standing in
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.
It was rather warm that clay, 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 small
brooch and black silk apron. completed
her toilet, with the exception Of a tiny
locket, which was suspended from her
neck by slender gold chain. This last
ornament Immediately riveted Mr. Stu
arts attention, and from some strange
cause sent the color quickly to his face.
After a time, as If to ascertain whether
it were really locket or watch, he ask
ed "if Miss Howard could tell him the
hour?'
'Certainly. sir" said she, and stepping
to the desk and consulting silver time
piece about the size of a 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 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 great
desire to see it. and finally offered to &C.
company Mary home, provided she had
say no, and the Widow Perkins came
h,,tt
burn to 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 UNI
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.
ut beats all mater what's kept him 50
long" said she, when he ut last appear
ed and. unfastening his horse. drove of
at furious rate: but IL l live I'll know
all about 1t Tomorrow" and with this
cOnsOlatory remark she returned to the
best room and for the .emainder 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 postottice called at Mrs. Ma
sons, bringing with him a letter which
bore the Boston postmark. Passing it 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 school?"
'Yes; how did you know it?" returned
Mrs. Mason. while Mary flushed more
deeply than she did when Billys letter
was handed her.
"Why, you see." answered Mr.. Knight,
II was about at the foot OF the Banch-
ard hill, when l see buggy coming like
Jehu. Just as it got agin me it kinder
slackened and the fore wheel ran of
smack and scissors"
"Was he hurt?" quickly asked Mary.
mot bit ont" said Mr.. Knight. but
he was scared some, l guess. got out
and helped him. and when he heard Is
from Rice Corner he said he'd been into
school, Then he asked forty-'leven ques-
tions about you. and jest as l was settin'
you up high. who should come a-canterin'
up. with their long-tailed gowns. and hats
like men, but Ella Campbell and 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 1t 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 I gin
it up, for see that he was took. and
she did look handsome. with her curls
flynn Wall. as l 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. 1.-The
first see of her was cuttin through
the streets on the dead run; but mustn't
stay here gabbin'. so goodnight. Miss
Mason-good-night Mary-hope you've
got good news in that ar letter"
The moment he was gone Mary ran up