Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-06-04


had more than once admitted that "she
was about as good as young ones would
average" Billy, too, had promised to
remain and work for Mr.. Parker during
the summer, intending with the money
thus earned to go the next fall and win
ter to the academy in Willbraham. Jen-
ny was coming back ere long, and Mary's
step was light and buoyant as she trip
ped, singing, about the house, unmind-
ful of Mrs. Grundy's oft-expressed wish
that ''she would stop that clack," or of
the anxious, plying eyes Sal Furbush
bent upon her, as day after day the
faithful old creature rocked and tended
little Alice
At last Mary could no longer be de-
ceiyed, and one day when Alice lay gasp
ing in Sally's lap she said, Aunt Sally,
isn't Alice growing worse? She doesn't
play now, nor try to walk"
Sally laid her hand on Mary's face and
replied: "Poor child, you'll soon be all
| alone"
There was no outcry-no sudden gush
of tears, but nervously clasping her
hans upon her heart, as if the shock had
entered there, Mary sat down upon her
bed, and burying her face in the pillow,
sat there for long time. But she said
nothing, and a careless observer might
have thought that she cared nothing, as
it became each day more and more evil
dent that Alice was dying. But these
knew not of the long nights when with
untiring love she sat by her sisters era
die, listening to her irregular breathing,
pressing her clammy hands and praying
to be forgiven if ever, in thought or deed,
she had wronged the little one now leav-
ing her.
And all this time there came no kind
word or message of love from Ella, who
knew that Alice was dying, for Billy
had told her so
The end came peacefully. There was
some talk of burying the child in the
poorhouse inclosure, but Mary pleaded so
earnestly to have her laid by her mother
that her request was granted, and that
night when the young spring moon came
out it looked quietly down upon the grave
of little Alice, who by her mothers side
was sweetly sleeping.
Three weeks had passed away since
Alice's death, and affairs at the poor
house were beginning to glide on as usual.
Mary, who had resumed her post as dish
washer in the kitchen, was almost daily
expecting Jenny; and one day when Billy
came in to dinner he gave her the joy
full intelligence that Jenny had returned
and had been in the field to see him,
bidding him tell Mary to meet her that
afternoon in the woods by the brook
Mary bounded joyfully away to the
woods, where she found Jenny, who en-
braced her in a manner which showed
that she had rot been forgotten.
"Oh," said she, '.I've got so much to
tell you, and so much to hear, though I
know all about dear little Alice's death
didn't you feel dreadfully?''
Mary's tears were sufficient answer.
and Jenny, as if suddenly discovering
something new, exclaimed, "Why, what
have you been doing? Who pulled your
| teeth?''
Mary explained the circumstances of
the tooth-pulling and Jenny continued:
.'You look great deal better, and if
your cheeks were only a little fatter and
your skin not quite so yellow, you'd be
real handsome; but no matter about that,
saw George Moreland in Boston, and I
wanted to tell him about you, but I'd
promised not to; and then at first | felt
afraid of him, for you can't think what
a great big fellow he's got to be. Why,
he's awful talLand handsome, too. Rose
likes him, and so do lots of the girls, but
don't believe he cares a bit for any of
them except his cousin Ida, and I guess
he does like her"
Here the ehatterer was interrupted by
Henry Lincoln, who directly in front of
her leaped across the brook. He was
evidently not much improved in his man
ners, for the moment he was safely land
ed on terra frma he approached Mary,
and, seizing her round the waist, ex-
claimed, Halloo, little pauper! You're
glad to see me back, dare say
Then drawing her head over so that
he could look into her face, he contin-
ued, Had your tusks out, haven't you? ?
Well, it's quite an improvement, so much
SO that I'll venture to kiss YOU
Mary struggled, and Jenny scolded,
while Henry said, "Don't kick and fiounce
SO, my little beauty. If there's anything
I hate it's seeing girls. make believe
they're modest. That clodhopper Bill
kisses you every day, I'll warrant"
(1'o be continued.l