The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1901-07-05
CHAprER XIV

Mount Holyoke and accordingly she de-
clined Mr.. Knights offer, greatly to his
disappointment, and that Of many others
One morning about week after her
return she announced her intention OF
visiting her mothers grave. Il am ac'
customed to so much exercise" said she,
that | can easily walk three miles, and
perhaps on my way home shall get a
ride"
Mrs Mason made no objection, and
Mary was soon on her way. She was a
rapid walker, and almost before she was
aware Of 1t reached the village. As she
came near Mrs. Campbell's the wish nat
nrally arose that Ella should accompany
her. Looking up, she saw her sister in
the garden and called to her.
"Wha-a-t?" was the very loud and un-
civil answer which came back to her, and
N moment Ella appeared round the cor
ner Of the house, carelessly swinging her
straw hat and humming a fashionable
song. On seeing her sister she drew
back the corners Of her mouth into some
thing which she intended for a SMILE and
said, "Why, thought It was Bridget
iuhAnk mt JOu lOJhtu ~ uuCn Hh0 nth
In that gingham sunbonnet. Won't You
come inw
Thank you," returned Mary. II was
going to mo<her's grave, and thought per-
haps you would like to accompany me-"
''Oh, no." said Ella. In her usual drawl-
Ing tone, II don't know as want to 60.
was there last week, and saw the mon
ument."
What monument asked Mary, and
Ella replied:
why, didn't you know that Mrs. Ma
son, or the town, or somebody, had
bought a monument, with mothers and
fathers and Franky's and Allies names
on itT
Mary, hurrying on, soon reached the
graveyard, where, as Ella had said, there
stood by her parents graves large,
handsome monument. William Bender
was the first person who came into her
mind, and as she thought Of all that had
passed between them, and of this last
proof of his affection, she seated herself
among the tall grass and flowers which
grew upon her mothers grave and burst
Into tears. She had not sat there long
ere she was reused by the sound OF a
footstep. Looking up, she saw before her
the young gentleman who the year pre-
vlous had visited her school In Rice Cor
ner. Seating himself respectfully by her
side, he spoke Of the three graves, and
asked II they were her friends who slept
there. There was something so kind and
affectionate In his voice and manner that
Mary could not repress her tears, and,
snatching up her bonnet, which she had
thrown aside, she hid her face in It and
again wept.
For time Mr.. Stuart suffered her to
weep, and then gently removed the ging-
ham bonnet, and, holding her hand be-
tween his, he tried to divert her mind by
talking upon other topics, asking her how
she had been employed during the year,
and appearing greatly pleased when told
that she had been at Mount Holyoke.
Observing at length that her eyes con-
stantly rested upon the monument, he
spoke Of that, praising It's beauty, and
asking II 1t were her taste.
mo" said she. IT never saw 1t until |
to-day, and did not even know 1t was
here"
Someone wished to surprise you,
dare say" returned Mr.. Stuart "It was
manufactured In Boston, | see. Have
you friends there?"
Mary replied that she had one, a Mr..
Bender, to which Mr.. Stuart quickly re-
Joined. us 1t William Bender? | have
heard Of him through our mutual friend,
George Moreland, whom you perhaps
have SEEM"
Mary felt the earnest gaze OF the large |
dark eyes which were fixed upon her
face. and coloring deeply, she replied that
they came from England In the same yes
sci.
"Indeed!' said Mr.. Stuart. "When |
return to the city shall refresh his men,
ory little with regard to your?
I'D rather you would not" answered
Mary. Our paths In life are very diff
ferent; and he, Of course, would feel no
interest In me-"
Am to conclude that you, too, feel
no interest In him?' returned Mr.. Stuart.
and again his large eyes reseted OH
Mary's face with curious expression.
But she made no reply, and soon rising
up said It was time for her to go home.
Vacation was over, and again In the
halls Of Mount Holyoke was heard tho
tread OF many feet. and the sound of
youthful voices as one by one the pupils
came back to their accustomed places.
For time Mary was undecided whether
to return or not, for much as she desired
an education she could not help feeling
delicate about receiving 1t from stran-
ger, but Mrs. Mason, to whom all her
thoughts and feelings were conhded. ad.
vised her to return, and accordingly the
hrst day OF the term found her again NJ
Mount Holyoke, where she was warmly
by her teachers and compan.
Ions. Still, II did not seem like the olden
time, for Ida was not there. and Jenny's
merry laugh was gone.
Patiently and perseveringly through the
rear sine studied, storing her mind with
Useful knowledge: and when at last the
annual examination came, not one In the
senior class stood higher, or was grad.
lated with more honor than herself. Mrs.
Mason. who was there, listened with all
parents pride and fondness to her
adopted child, as she promptly responded
Q every question But 1t was not Mrs,
dason's presence alone which melted
dary to do so well. Among the crowd
Il spectators she caught glimpse of a
ace which twice before she had seen
'nce In the school room at Rice Corner
md once In the graveyard at Chicopee,
Turn which way she would. she felt rath.
r than saw how intently Mr.. Stuart
watched her, and when at last the exer-
ises were over. and she with others ,
rose TO receive her diploma, she invol.
Intarily glanced in the direction whence /
he knew he sat, For an instant their /
yes met, and In the expression Of his
he read an approval warmer than words
ould have expressed
That night Mary sat alone in her room. /
stening almost nervously to the sound |
I every footstep, and half-starting up ,
II came near her door. But for certain I
NJ \ A |