Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-04-25

Peter petted her, and even Miss GrnAdy
had more than once admitted that she
was about as good as young ones would
average" Billy, too, had promised to
remain and work for Mr.. Parker during
the summer, intending with the money
thus earned to go the next fall and win
ter to the academy in Willbraham. Jen-
ny was coming back ere long, and Mary's
step was light and buoyant as she trip
ped, singing, about the house, unmind-
full of Mrs. Grundy's oft-expressed wish
that ''she would stop that clack,' or of
the anxious, plying eyes Sal Furbush
bent upon her, as day after day the
faithful old creature rocked and tended
little Alice.
At last Mary could no longer be de-
ceiyed, and one day when Alice lay gasp
ing in Sally's lap she said, Aunt Sally,
isn't Alice growing worse? She doesn't
play now, nor try to walk"
Sally laid her hand on Mary's face anc
replied: "Poor child, you'll soon be all
Alone
There was no outcry-no sudden gush
of tears, but nervously clasping her
hans upon her heart, as if the shock had
entered there, Mary sat down upon her
bed and burying her face in the pillow,
sat there for long time. But she said
nothing, and a careless observer might
have thought that she cared nothing, as
it became each day more and more evil
dent that Alice was dying. But these
knew not of the long nights when with
low cI, Nv nr cistnr'c o.
die, listening to her irregular breathing,
pressing her clammy hands and praying
to be forgiven if ever, in thought or deed,
she had wronged the little one now leay-
ing her.
And all this time there came no kind
word or message of love from Ella, who
knew that Alice was dying, for Billy
| had told her so.
| The end came peacefully. There was
some talk of burying the child in the
poorhouse Enclosure, but Mary pleaded so
| earnestly to have her laid by her mother
| that her request was granted, and that
| night when~he young spring noon came
out it looked quietly down upon she grave
| of little Alice, who by her mothers side
was sweetly sleeping.
| Il
| Three weeks had passed away since
Alce's death, and affairs at the poor
house were beginning to glide on as usual
Mary, who had resumed her post as dish
| washer in the kitchen, was almost daily
| expecting Jenny; and one day when Billy
| came in to dinner he gave her the joy
| full intelligence that Jenny had returned
and had been in the field to see him,
| bidding him tell Mary to meet her that
afternoon in the woods by the brook.
| Mary bounded joyfully away to the
woods, where she found Jenny. who en-
! braced her in a manner which showed
that she had not been forgotten.
"Oh," said she, I've got so much to
tell you, and so much to hear, though
know all about dear little Alce's death
didn't you feel dreadfully?"
Mary's tears were a sufficient answer,
and Jenny, as if suddenly discovering
something new, exclaimed ''Why, what
have you been doing? Who pulled your
| teeth?'
| Mary explained the circumstances Of
| the tooth-pulling and Jenny continued
| "You look great deal better, and if
| your cheeks were only little fatter and
| your skin not quite so yellow, you'd be
| real Handsome; but no matter about that.
| / saw George Moreland in Boston, and
wanted to tell him about you, but I'd
| promised not to; and then at first / felt
afraid of him. for you can't think what
a great big fellow he's got to be- Why,
| he's awful tall-and handsome too. Rose
| likes him, and so do lots of the girls, but
| don't believe he cares a bit for any of
them except his cousin Ida, and l guess
| he does like her.
Here the chatterer was interrupted by
Henry Lincoln, who directly in front of
her leaped across the brook. He was
evidently not much improved in his mal
ners, for the moment he was safely land
ed on terra irlna he approached Mary,
and. seizing her round the waist, ex-
claimed, "Halloo, little pauper. You're
glad to see me back, dare say
Then drawing her head over so that
he could look into her face he contin-
ued, Had your tusks out, haven't you?
Well, it's quite an improvement. so much
so that I'll venture to kiss you
Mary struggled, and Jenny scolded,
while Henry said, Don't kick and founce
so, my little beauty. If there's anything
l hate it's seeing girls make believe
they're modest. That clodhopper Bill
kisses you every day. III warrant"
mo ba cnut;puadl