The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1901-06-14

w NhhVhA Nh'N
ever seen them, Billy told the story OF
Franks sickness and death-of the noble
conduct of his little sister, who, when
there was no other alternative, went
cheerfully to the poorhouse, winning by
her gentle ways the love of those unused
to love. and tanning the wild mood Oh
maniac until she was harmless as chilu'
As he proceeded with his story George
became each moment more and more IN
terested, and when at last there was
pause, he asked, "And is Mary in the
poorhouse nowf"
II have not mentioned her name, and
pray how came you to know itT' said
Billy In some surprise.
In a few words George related the par
ticulars of bis acquaintance with the
Howards and then again asked where
both Mary and Ella were.
Billy replied that for few years back
Mary had lived with a Mrs. Mason,
while ella, at the time of her mothers
death, had been adopted by Mrs. Camp
bell "But," said he, II never think of
Ella in connection with Mary, they are so
unlike; Ella is proud and vain and silly,
and treats her sister with the utmost
rudeness, though Mary is far more agree
able and intelligent, and as | think the
best looking"
"She must have changed very much"
answered George, "for If | remember
rightly she was not remarkable for per
sonal beauty"
He was going to say more, when some
one slapped him rudely on the shoulder,
calling out, "How are you, old feller, and
what is there in Boston to interest such
scapegrace as | amT
Looking up, Billy saw before him Hen
ry Lincoln, exquistely dressed, but bear
Ing in his appearance evident marks Of
dissipation.
"Why, Henry" exclaimed George,
chow came you here? | supposed you
were drawing lampblack caricatures of
some one Of the tutors in old Yale.
What's the matter? What have you been
doing"
drawing his cigar from his mouth, zone
of the sophs got his arm broken in row,
and as | am so tender-hearted, and
couldn't bear to hear him groan, the fac
ulty kindly advised me to leave, and sent
on before me a recommendation to the
old man. But | fixed 'em. told 'em he
was in Boston, whereas he's in Chicopee,
so just took the letter from the office
myself. 1t reads beautifully. Do you
understand
All this time Henry had apparently
taken no notice of Billy, whom George
! now introduced, saying he believed they
/ were old acquaintances. With the cool
est effrOntery Henry took from his pocket
a quizzing glass, and, applying it to his
| eye, said, 1--WE absolutely studied until
! I'm near-sighted. How long have the old
folks been in ChicopeeY
Several weeks, | think" answered
George; and then, either because he want
ed to hear what Henry would say, or
because of reawakened interest in Mary
| Howard he continued, by the way,
Henry, when you came so unceremoni-
ously upon us, we were speaking of a
young girl In Chicopee whom you have
perhaps ferreted out ere this, as Ben.
der says she is fine looking"
Henry stroked his whiskers, which had
receixed far more cultivation than his
brains, stuck his hat on one side anC
answered, "Why, yes, | suppose that il
my way | was something of b'hoy with
the fair sex, but really | do not now
think of more than one handsome CIR
in Chicopee, and that is Ella Campbell
but she is young yet, not as old as Jenny
altogether too small fry for Henry Lin
coin, Esq. But who is the girl?"
Billy frowned, for he held Mary's name
as too sacred to be breathed by younl
man of Henry Lincoln's character, Will,
George replied
Her name is Mary Howard"
what, the pauper?' asked Henry
looking significantly at Billy, who replied
"The same, sir"
"Whew-ww whistled Henry, prolong
ing the diphthong to an unusual length
"Why, she's got two teeth at least foo
long, and her face looks as though sh
had just been in the vinegar barrel AM
didn't like the taste of it."
But, without joking, though, hov
does she lookT asked George; Will
Billy made a movement as if he woul,
help the insolent puppy to find his level
"Well, now, old boy" returned Henry
"Ill tell you honestly that the last tim
saw her l was surprised to find hov
much she was improved. She has swal
lowed those abominable teeth, or don
something with them, and is really quit
decent looking"
SO saying he took his leave. Just thel
there was a call for Mr. Moreland, VIII
also departed, leaving Billy alone. II
is very strange that she never told m
she knew him." thought he; and then tax
ing from his pocket neatly folded letter
he again read it through. But there wa
) nothing in it about George, except tn
simple words, Il am glad you have foun
a friend in Mr.. Moreland. | am sure
should like him, just because he is kin
, to you"
"Yes, she's forgotten him." said Billy
and that belief gave him secret satisfaC
tion. He had known Mary long, an
the interest he had felt in her when
homely, neglected child, had not in tn
least decreased as the lapse of time grad
ually ripened her into a fine, intelligen
looking girl. He was to her a brothe
still, but she to him was dearer far tina
a sister; and though in his letters he a
ways addressed her as such, in his hear
he claimed her as something nearer. an
yet he had never breathed in her ear
word Of love or limited that it was for he
sake he toiled both early and late, hoard
, ing up his earnings with almost a miser'
care that she might be educated
Regularly each week she wrote to hin
and it was the receipt of these letter
and the thoughts of her that kept hi
heart so brave and cheerful, as, alon
and unappreciated. except by George, h
worked on, dreaming of a bright futur
when the one great object of his lif
should be realized
Ito be continued)