Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-05-31
CuAPTER ~.

scarcely three hours had passed since
the dark, moist earth was heaped upon
the humble grave of the widow and her
son, when again, over the village of Chic
opce, hoated the notes of the tolling bell,
and Immediately crowds of people, with
seemingly eager haste, hurried toward
the Campbell mansion, which was soon
nearly filled.
On n marble table in the same room lay
the handsome coffin, and in it slept young
Ella. Gracefully her small waXen hands
were folded one over the other, while
white, half-opened rosebuds were wreath.
ed among the curls of her hair. "She is
too beautiful to die. and the only child,
too thought more than one as they look
ed first Mt the sleeping clay and then ut
the stricken mother, who. draped in deep
est black, sobbcd convulsively. And yet
she was not one-half so desolate MS was
the orphan Mary, who in Mrs. Bender's
kitchen sat weeping over her sister Alice,
and striving to form words of prayer
which should reach the God of the father.
less.
My mother, oh! my mother" she cried,
as she stretched her hands toward the
clear blue sky, now that mothers home,
why didn't l die, too!'
There was Il step upon the grass, and
looking up. Mary saw standing near her
Mrs. Campbcll's English girl, Hannah.
She had always evinced a liking for Mrs.
Towards family, and now after finishing
her dishes. and trying in vain to speak
IL word of consolation to her mistress,
who refused to be comforted, she had
stolen away to Mrs. Bender's, ostensibly
to sec all the orphans. but in reality to
see Ella, who had always been her favor
lite.
The sight of Mary's grief touched Han
nah's heart, and sitting down by the lit.
tile girl she tried to comfort her. Mary
felt that her words and manne We're
prompted by real sympathy. and after a
time she grew calm, and listened while
Hannah told her that "as soon as her
mistress got so anybody could go neat
her. she meant to ask her to take Ells
Howard to fill the place of her own
daughter"
"Ihcy look as much alike as two
beans" said she, "and s'posin' ELLA How
ard amt exactly her own flesh and blood.
She would grow into liking her, l know"
That night after her return home Han.
nah fingered for Il long time about the
parlor door, glancins wistfully toward
her mistress, who reclined upon the sofa
with her face entirely hidden by her
cambria handkerchief.
Its most too soon, / guess" thought
Hannah. I'll wait till tomorrow"
Accordingly next morning. when, as she
had expected, she was told to carry her
mistress toast and coffee to her room,
she fingered for awhile. and seemed so
DESTROYS of speaking that Mrs. Campbell
asked what she wanted.
Why, you see, ma'am. | was going to
say Il word about-about that youngest
Howard girl. She's got to go to the poor
house and it's Il pity, she's so handsome.
Why couldn't she come here and live!
I'll take care of her, and 'twouldn't be
| nigh so lonesome"
At this a~llusion to her bereavement
Mrs. Campbell burst into tears. and mo
toned Hannah from the room.
''I'll keep at her till l fetch it about"
thought Hannah. But further persuasion
from her was rendered unnecessary, for
Mrs. Lincoln called that afternoon, and
after assuring her friend that she neves
before saw one who was so terribly at
ficted. casually mentioned the Towards,
md the extreme poverty to which they
We're reduced.
Here Mrs. Campbell commenced weep
ing. and as Mrs. Lincoln soon took her
leave she was left alone for several
hours. AT the end of that time, impelled
by something she could not resist, she
to Mrs. Bendcr's and bring Ella to her
room. as she wished to see how she ap.
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