Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-06-11
CHAPTER TX.


been some months before, and after
brushing away few natural tears, and
sending back few heart-sighs to the low
ed ones left behind, her spirits rallied,
and by the time they reached the borders
of Rice Corners there was such look
of quiet happiness on her face that even
Mr.. knight noticed it. AS they rode on
Mary fancied that the country looked
pleasanter and the houses better than
in the region of the poorhouse; and when
sudden turn of the road brought into
view beautiful blue sheet of water, en-
bosomed by bright green hills, her delight
knew no bounds. Springing up and point
ing toward it, she exclaimed: "Oh, please
stop a moment and look. Isn't it lovely !?
What is it?''
''That? Oh, that's nothing but sPor-
dunk Pond or as folks most generally
call 'em, seein' there's two, North and
South Pond. -"
How far is the pond from Mrs. Ma
son's? asked Mary, casting longing
glances toward the distant sandy beach
and the graceful trees which dropped
over the waters edge.
Its farther back than tits there, cause
it's uphill all the way" said Mr.. knight,
ssbut here we be at Miss Mason's-this
house right here" and he pointed to a
neat, handsome cottage, almost hidden
from view by the dense foliage which
surrounded it.
There was a long lawn in front, and
into the carriage road on the right of it
Mr.. Knight turned, and driving up to a
side door, said to Mary, "Come, jump
down, for my foot is so lame l don't be-
lieve I'll get out. But there's your chest
You can't lift that. Halloo! Judith,
come ERE"
In answer to this call fat, pleasant
looking colored woman appeared in the
doorway, and as if fresh from the regions
Of cookdom wiped the drops of perspira-
tion from her round, jolly face.
Here, Judith" said Mr.. Knight, 'help
this gal lift her traps out.''
Judith complied, and then bidding old
Charlotte to get up" Mr.. Knight drove
away, leaving Mary standing by the
kitchen door.
Come in and sit down. said Judith.
pushing chair toward Mary with her
foot. Its as hot here as an oven, but
] had crambry sass and ginger snaps, and
massy knows what, to make this morning
and I got belated; but set down and
make yourself to home"
Mary took the proffered seat, and then
Judith left the room for few moments,
saying when she returned that, as Mrs.
Mason was still suffering from head
ache, she could not see Mary until after
dinner. "And," continued Judith, "she
told me to entertain you, but don't know
what to say nor do first. Harry died
just week to day before he was to be
married, and so l never had any little
girls to talk to. Can't you think of some.
thing to talk about? What have you
been used to doing?7
Washing Dishes" was Mary's reply
"Wall," answered Judith, ST guess yor
| won't have that to do here for one night
when some of the neighbors were in
! heard Miss Mason tell EN- that she got
you to read to her and wait on her. AnG
then she said something about your MOI
having an equal chance with your sister
You han't but one, now t'other's dead
have yOu?
| Mary replied in the negative, and Ju
dith continued: "Wall, now you've go
over the first ont, l reckon you's glat
the baby's dead, for she must have beer
kind of a bother, wasn't she?"
Instantly Mary's thoughts flew back tt
an empty cradle, and again a little COLDER
head was pillowed upon her breast, a.
often in times past it had been, and a.
it would never be again. Covering he
face with her hands, she sobbed, "Oh
Allie, Allie! 1 wish she hadn't diedr'
/ Judith looked on in amazement, and fo
want of something better to do placed
fresh stick of wood in the stove, mutter
ing to herself, "Now, I never! l nigh
of knew didn't know what to say. Wha
a pity Harry died. I'll give her that bi,
ginger snap the minute it's baked. See i
DON'T"
Accordingly, when the snap was done
Judith placed it in Mary's hands, biddin;
her eat it quick, and then go up and Sc
the nice chamber Mrs. Mason had al
ranged for her.
Come" said Judith; and leading tn
way, she conducted Mary up the stai1
case, and through light, airy hall to tn
door of small room, which she opened
saying, Look, amt it pretty?'
Mary's heart was too full to speak, an
for several minutes she stood silent. Wit
the exception of her mothers pleasan
parlor in cid England, she had never be
fore seen anything which seemed to he
so cosy and cheerful as did that littl
room, with its single bed, snowy counter