Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1901-11-22


or studied as hard as she did during the
last few weeks of her stay at Mount Hol-
yoke. Ida, who was expecting her faith
er, aunt and cousin to be present at the
anniversary, was so engrossed with her
studies that she did not observe how
sad and low-spirited Mary seemed. She
had tasted of knowledge and now thirst
ed for more; but 1t could not be; the
funds were exhausted, and she must leave
the school, never perhaps to return again.
How much shall miss my music, and
how mach shall miss you," she said one
day to Ida, who was giving her lesson.
ITS too bad you haven't piano." re-
turned Ida, you are so fond of 1t. and
improve so fastr' Then after a moment,
she added, II have plan to propose. and
may as well do 1t now as at any time.
Next winter you must spend with me in
Boston. Aunt Martha and arranged 1t
the last time l was at home. and we even
selected your room, which Is next to
mine, and opposite to Aunt Martha's.
Now, what does your ladyship say to it?"
''She says she can't CO." answered
Mary.
Cant go! repeated Ida. why notf
Jenny will be in the city, and you are
always happy where she Is; besides, you
will have a rare chance for taking music
lessons Of our best teachers; and then,
too, you will be in the same house with
George, and that alone is worth going to
Boston for, l think"
Ida little suspected that her last argu-
ment was the strongest objection to
Mary's going, for, much as she wished
to meet George again, she felt that she
would not on any account go to his home,
lest he should think she came on pur-
pose to see him. There were other rea-
sons, too, why she did not wish to 60.
Henry and Rose Lincoln would both be
In the city, and she knew that neither
of them would scruple to do or say any
thing which they thought would annoy
her. Mrs. Mason, too, missed her, and
longed to have her at home; so she resist
ed all Ida's entreaties, and the next let
ter which went to Aunt Martha carried
her refusal.
In day or two Mary received two let
ters, one from Billy and one from Mrs.
Mason, the latter Of which contained
money for the payment of her bills; but.
on Offering 1t to the principal, how was
she surprised to learn that her bills had
not only been regularly paid and receipt
cd, but that ample funds were provided
for the defraying Of her expenses during
the coming year. A faint sickness stole
over Mary, for she instantly thought OF
Billy Bender, and the obligation she
would now be under to him forever.
| The preceptress was not at liberty to
| tell, and with a secret suspicion of Aunt
Martha, Mary returned to her room to
read the other letter, which was still un-
opened. Her head grew dizzy. and her
| spirits faint, as she read the passionate
outpouring Of heart which had cherish
ed her Image for years, and which,
though fearful of rejection, would still
| tell her how much she was beloved. ut
is no sudden fancy" said he. "Once,
Mary, l believed my affection for you
returned, but now you are changed. Your
letters are brief and cold, and when l
look around for the cause l am led to
fear that was deceived In thinking you
ever loved me. II / am mistaken, tell
the SO; but If / am not, II you can never
be my wife, l will school myself to think
Of you as a brother would think of an
only and darling sister,"
For several days Mary had not been
well, and the excitement produced BY
Billy's letter tended to increase her Ill.
ness. During the hours In which she was
alone that day she had ample time fol
reflection and before night she wrote
letter to Billy, in which she told him how
impossible it was for her to be the wifi
of one whom she had always loved as ar
own and dear brother. This letter caused
Mary so much effort, and SO many bittel
tears, that for several days she continued
worse, and at last gave up all hope Of be
ing present at the examination.
"Oh, it's too bad" said Ida, "for I d.
want you to see Cousin George, and
know he'll be disappointed, too, for ]
never saw anything like the interest h
takes in you."
A few days afterward, as Mary wal
lying thinking of Billy, and wondering Il
she had done right In writing to him Al
she did, Jenny came rushing In, wild
with delight.
Her father was downstairs, togethel
with Ida's father, George and Aunt Mar
tha. "Most the first thing l did," sait
she, "was to inquire after Billy Bender
guess Aunt Martha was shocked, fol
| Sne looked 80 queer. GeOrBe iduSneu
and Mr.. Selden said he was doing well
and was one of the finest young men ir
Boston,"
During the whole Of Georges stay al
Mount Holyoke Rose managed to keeI
him at her side, entertaining him occa
sionally with unkind remarks concerning
Mary, who, she said, was undoubtedly
feigning her sickness so as not to appear
in her classes where she knew she could
do herself no credit; but" said she, las
soon as the examination is over she'll GO
well fast enough and bother US with hel
company at Chicopee."
In this Rose was mistaken, for wher
the exercises closed Mary was still too III
to ride, and 1t was decided that she
should remain few days until Mrs. Ma
son could come for her. With many tears
Ida and Jenny bade their young friend
good-by, but Rose, when asked to go uI
and see her, turned away disdainfully
amusing herself during their absence by
talking and laughing with George More.
land.
q