The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1901-06-28

that he should have earned so much In
so short a time; and as soon as she could
trust her voice to speak, she asked who
II was that had thus befriended her
The preceptress was not at liberty to
tell, and with a secret suspicion OF Aunt
Martha, Mary returned to her room to
read the other letter, which was still un-
opened. Her head grew dizzy, and her
spirits faint, as she read the passionate
outpouring Of a heart which had cherish
ed her image for years, aud which,
though fearful Of rejection, would stu
tell her how much she was beloved. 1T
is no sudden fancy" said he. Once,
Mary, | believed my affection for you
returned, but now you are changed. Your
letters are brief and cold, and when |
look around for the cause am led to
fear that | was deceived In thinking you
ever loved me. II | am mistaken, tell
me SO; but IL am not, IL you can never
be my wife, | win school myself to think
OF you as a brother would think Of an
only and darling sister"
For several days Mary had not been
well, and the excitement produced by
Billy's letter tended to increase her ILL
ness. During the hours In which she was
alone that day she had ample time for
reflection, and before night she wrote a
letter to Billy, In which she told him how
impossible it was for her to be the wife
of one whom she had always loved as an
own and dear brother. This letter caused
Mary so much effort, and so many bitter
tears, that for several days she continued
worse, and at last gave up all hope OF be-
ing present at the examination.
"Oh, it's too badr' said Ida, "for ] do
want you to see Cousin George, and |
know he'll be disappointed, too, for |
never saw anything like the interest he
takes In you"
A few days afterward, as Mary was
lying thinking OF Billy, and wondering If
she had done right in writing to him as
she did, Jenny came rushing ia, wild
with delight.
Her father was downstairs, together
with Idas father. George and Aunt Mar
tha. Most the first thing | did said
she, was to inquire after Billy Bender!
I guess Aunt Martha was shocked, for
she looked so queer. George laughed,
and Mr.. Seden said he was doing well,
and was one Of the finest young men in
Boston"
During the whole of Georges stay at
Mount Holyoke Rose managed to keep
him at Der side, entertaining him occa-
sionally with unkind remarks concerning
Mary, who, she said, was undoubtedly
fegning her sickness so as not to appear
in her classes where she knew she could
do herself no credit; but" said she, "as
soon as the examination is over she'll get
well fast enough and bother us with her
company at Chicopee.'
In this Rose was mistaken, for when
the exercises closed Mary was still too i'll
to ride, and it was decided that she
should remain few days until Mrs. Ma
son could come for her With many tears
Ida and Jenny bade their young friend
good-by, but Rose, when asked to go up
and see her, turned away disdainfully,
amusing herself during their absence by
talking and laughing with George More
land.
The room in which Mary lay command
ed a view Of the yard and gateway; and
after Aunt Martha, Ida and Jenny had
left, she arose, and stealing to the win
dow, looked out upon the company as
they departed, She could readily divine
which was George Moreland, for Rose
Lincoln's shawl aud satchel were thrown
over his arm, while Rose herself walked
close to his elbow, apparently engrossins
his whole attention. Once he turned
around, but fearful of being observed,
Mary drew back behind the window cur
tain, and thus lost a view Of his face.
ITO be continued)