Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-06-14

Peter petted her, and even Miss Grundy
had more than once admitted that 'sshe
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
nus earned to so 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. GrundS's oft-eNpressed 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-
ceived, and one day when Alice lay gasp.
ing i'll 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 and
replied: Poor child, you'll soon be all
alone
There was no outcry-no sudden gush
of tcarse but %nervously clasping her
hans upon her heart. as if the shock had
entered there. Mary sat down upon her
bed. ana burying her face in the pillow,
sat there for IL long time. But she said
nothing. and Il careless observer might
nave 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
untlfing love she sat by her sisters era
die, listening to her irregular breathing,
pressing her clammy hands and praying
to be forgiven il 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 inclosure, but Mary pleaded so
earnestly to have her laid by her mother
that her request WAS granted, and that
night when the young spring moon came
OFT it looked quietly down UPON the grave
of little Alice, who by her mothers side
was sweetly sleeping.
Three weeks had passed away since
4Alice'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 I
know all about dear little Alice's death
didn't you feel dreadfully?"
Mary's tears We're 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 IL great deal better, and if
your cheeks We're only a little fatter and
your skin not quite so yellow, you'd be
real handsome; but no matter about that.
L saw 1SOiSC ANAOICiitiu III lOSlOu, ana i
wanted to tell him about you, but ia
promised not to; and then at first l 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
l don't believe he cares a bit for any of
them except his cousin Ida, and l guess
he does like her"
Here the chattercr was interrupted by
Henry Lincoln, who directly in front Of
her leapcd across the brook. He was
evidently not much improved in his man
ners, for the moment he was safely land
ed OF terra firma he approached Mary,
and, Selling her round the waist, ex-
claimed, "Halloo, little pauper! You're
glad to see me back, l 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 quit an Improvement. so much
so that I'll venture to kiss YOU"
Mary struggled, and Jenny scolded,
while Henry said, .Don't kick and tlounce
so, my little beauty. If there's anything
I hate it's seeing girls make believe
they're modest. That c%lodhopper Bill
kisses you every day, I'll warrant"
mo ho oD,,+s~,o1