Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-05-02
CHAPTER IL.


Very different this time was Mary's
ride with Mr. Knight from what it had
been some months before, and after
brushing away a few natural tears. and
sending back a 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 it lovely?
What is it?'
THAT? Oh, that's nothing but 'Por
dunk Pond or as folks most generally
call EN-, seem there's two, North and
South Pond
How far is the pond from Mrs. Ma
son's?" asked Mary, casting longing
glanccs toward the distant sandy beach
and the graceful trees which dropped
over me water , CuSc.
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
sol,4 4 L,
side door, said to Mary, Come, jump
down, for my foot is so lame l don't be-
lieve I'll get out. But there's your chest.
You can't lift that. Halloo. Judith,
come ere"
In answer to this call a fat, pleasant
looking colored woman appeared in the
doorway, and as if 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
l had crambry sass and ginger snaps. and
massy knows what, to make this morning
and l got belated; but set down and
make yourself to home"
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 a 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 50 l 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 Marys reply.
WALL answered Judith, Il guess YOU
won't have that to do here for one night;
when some of the neighbors were in l
heard Miss Mason tell 'em 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 han't but one, now t'other's dead,
have you!
Mary replied in the negative, and Ju-
dith continued: wall, now you've got
over the first ont, l 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, aud again a little golden
head was pillowed upon her breast, as
often in times past it had been, and as
it would never be again. Covering her
face with her hands. she sobbed, Oh,
Allie, Allie! l wish she hadn't died"'
Judith looked on in amaZement, and for
want of something better to do placed
fresh stick of wood in the stove, mutter-
ing to herself, Now, l never. | 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 if
l don'*.'
Accordingly, when the snap was done,
Judith placed it in Marys 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
case, and through light. airy hall to the
door of a small room, which she opened,
saying, Look, amt it pretty"
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
so cosy and cheerful as did that little
room, with its single bed, snowy counter