Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-05-23

ing hideously: "What is it? Are there
many such here?"
Don't be afeerd," said Mr.. Knight;
that's nobody but foolish Patsy; she
never hurt anybody in her life. Come.
now, let me show you to the Overseer."
And he led her toward the red-whisker-
ed man, who stood in the door.
Here, Parker" said he, 1--WE brought
them children I was tellin you about
You've room for 'em, l s'pose?"
why, ye-es, we can work 1t SOS to
make r0om."
They now entered the kitchen. Mary
was very tired with holding Alice so
long, and, sinking into a chair near the
window, she would have cried; but there
was tightness in her throat and pres
sure about her head and eyes which kept
the tears from flowing. She pressed her
hands tightly and said. "Oh. l hope l
shan't faint"
ITO be sure you won't" said loud,
harsh voice, and instantly large drops Of
water were thrown In her face, while
the same voice continued: "You don't
have such spells often, hope. for Lord
knows l don't want any more fifty ones
here"
W. INA dAus Sutu XNuIyS ucchIS uhu
looking up, she saw before her q tall,
square-backed. masculine looking wom-
an, who wore a very short dress, and u
very high-crowned cap, fastened under
her chin with bows Of sky-blue ribbon.
Mary secretly hoped she would not prove
to be Mrs. Parker, the wife of the over
seer. She was soon relieved Of her fears
by the overseer himself, who said, polly,
don't see any other way but you'll have
to take these children into the room next
to yourn. The baby worries good deal.
and such things trouble my wife, now
she's sick"
The person addressed as "Polly" gave
her shoulders an angry jerk, and stick
ing the pin on the waist Of her dress,
replied. 80 s'pose it's no matter if
I'm kept awake all night, and worried
to death. But guess you'd find therc'd
be queer doin's here if should be taken
away. l wish the British would stay to
hum, and not lug their young ones here
for us to take care of. Come. child,
will show you where you are going to
sleep;" at the same time she caught up
Alice, who, not liking her handling, kick
ed so vigorously that she was soon drop
ped, Polly remarking that ''she was
mighty strong in her legs for sick
baby"
After passing up dark stairway they
came ~ door, which opened under the
garnet stairs, and Mary was startled by
a voice which seemed to be almost over
her head. and which, between a sheer
and a hiss, called out, "See where the
immaculate Miss Grundy comes" Mary
sprang in terror to Polly's side.
"Oh, what is it?" she said. "Is it
Patsy?"
PATSY" was the tart reply. She new
err Is saucy like that. It's Sal Furbush."
Mary asked who Sal Furbush was,
and was told she was one of the poor
insane inmates. She subsequently learn
ed that Sal was perfectly harmless, and
struck up quite friendship with her.
At present Mary followed her guide until
they came to longer and lighter hall,
or "spaccway." as it is frequently called
in New England. On each side Of this
there were doors opening into small sleep
ing rooms, and into one Of these Polly
led her companion, saying. as she did so.
This is your room, and it's a great fa-
vor to you to be so near me. But mind.
that child mustn't cry and keep me
awake nights, for II she does. maybe
you'll have to move into that other space,
where we heard the laugh"
Mary thought she would rather do any
curiosity to know who her companion
was. so she at last ventured to ask, do
YOU live here. Miss Polly?"
"Why. yes. I'm staying here for a
spell now; kind Of seeing things. My
name isn't Polly. It's Mary Grundy, and
somehow folks have got to nicknaming
me Polly. but it'll look more mannerly
in you to call me Mrs. Grundy; but what
am thinking Of? The folks must have
their supper"
That night Alice. who missed her era
die, was unusually restless. and Mary.
remembering Mrs. Grundy's threat, car
red her In her arms until after midnight
Then, without undressing. she threw her.
self upon the bed. and for the first time
in many weeks dreamed Of George AMI
his parting promise to see her again. The
next morning when she awoke. the clouds
were pouring rain. BILLY won't come
to-day" was her first thought, and
throwing herself upon the floor, she burst
into tears, wishing. as she had once
done before. that she had died with her
mother.
In the midst OF her grief the door was
pushed hastily open, and Mrs. Grundy's
harsh voice exclaimed, wall. SO you are
up at last, hey? I didn't know but you
was gon' to take it upon you to sleep
over but that don't answer here. Do you
think we's goin to support you in idle
ness?'
Here, touched perhaps by the pale.
fearful face. uplifted to hers. Mrs. Grun-
dy's voice softened, and in milder tone
she added. I'VE won't mind about it, see.
in it's the first morning; but, come
you must be hungry by this time"
Mary glanced ut Alice. She was sleep
ing sweetly. and. though there seemed to
be no reason, she still fingered.
"What are You waiting for?" asked
Mrs. Grundy. and Mary. with some hest
tation. answered, Il haven't said my
| prayers yet"
A change passed suddenly over Mrs.
Grundy's face. and she turned away
without word. When she was gone
Mary fell on her knees. and though the
words she uttered were addressed more
to her mother than to God, she felt CON-
forted, and, rising up, started for the
| IT,