The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1901-05-23
BY MRRY ]. HOLMES

dow pane. In terror Mary clung to Mr..
Knight, and whispered, as she pointed
toward the figure, which was now laugh
ing hideously: What is it? Are there
many such hereT'
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."
ana ne led her toward the red-whisker-
ed man, who stood in the door.
Here. Parker" said he, ssI'ye broupht
them children I was tellin' you about.
You've room for 'em, s'pose?"
Why, ye-es, we can work II so,s IN
make room."
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 kent
the tears from flowing. She pressed her
hands tightly and said, "Oh, l hope L
shan't faint"
TO be sure you won't" said a. 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 don't want any more fifty ones
here" zswa
mo, ma am" said Mary, meekly: and
looking up, she. saw before her q tall.
square-backed, masculine looking wom-
an, who wore very short dress, and a
very high-crowned cap. fastened under
her chin with bows of sky-blne 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 a good deal,
and such things trouble my wife. now
she's sick"
The person addressed. as ''Pollyr gave
her shoulders an angry jerk and stick
ing the pin on the waist OF her dress,
replied, $50, ss'pose it's no matter IL
I'm kept awake all night, and worried
to death. But guess you'd find there'd
be queer doin's here if should be taken
away. / wish the British would stay to
hum, and notslug their young ones here
for us to take care of. Come, child, l
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 70 door, which opened under the
garret stairs, and Mary was startled by
voice which seemed to be almost over
her head, and which, between sneer
and a hiss, called out, "See where the
immaculate Miss Grundy cOmesv' Mary
sprang in terror to Polly's side.
"Oh, what is itY' she said. us it
Patsy"
"Patsyw was the tart reply. She new
er is saucy like that. It's Sal Furbush.' y
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 a longer and lighter hall,
or "spaceway," 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,
.sThis is your room, and it's a great IA
yor to you to be so near me. But mind,
that child mustn't cry and keep me
awake nights, for il she does, maybe
you'll have to move into that other space,
where we heard the laugh"
Mary thought she would rather do any
thing than that. She also felt great
curiosity to know who her companion
was. so she at last ventured to ask, DO
Won live here, Miss PollyY p
"Why. yes. I'm staying here for a
smell now; kind of seeing things. My
name isn't Polly. It's Mary Grundy, and
somehow folks hare got to jnicknaming
| me Polly, but it'll look more mannerly
~ Won 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, ana MARY
remembering Mrs. Grundy's threat, car
ried her in her arms until after midnight.
Then, without undressing, she threw her
| self upon the bed and for the hrst time
| n many weeks dreamed OF George anu
his nartina promise to see her again. The
raxt morning when she awoke, the clouds
were mourning rain. "Billy won't come
| to-dav.v was her first thought, and
throwing herself upon the floor, she burst
;nto tears, wishing, as she had once
done before, that she had died with mel
In the midst Of her grief the door was
nrshed hastily open, and Mrs. Grundya