The Courier. (Genoa, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1901-12-13

or studied as hard as she did during the
last few weeks of her stay at Mount Hol-
yoke. Ida, who was expecting her faith
er, aunt and cousin to be present at the
anniversary, was SO engrossed with her
studies that she did not observe how
sad and low-spirited Mary seemed. She
had tasted of knowledge and now thirst
ed for more; but it could not be; the
funds were exhausted, and she must leave
the school, never perhaps to return again.
How much shall miss my music, and
how much | shall miss you," she said one
day to Ida, who was giving her a lesson.
ITS too bad you haven't piano." re-
turned Ida, you are so fond of it, and
improve so fastr' Then after moment,
she added, Il have plan to propose, and
may as well do it now as at any time.
Next winter you must spend with me in
Boston. Aunt Martha and | arranged it
the last time was at home, and we even
selected your room, which is next to
mine, and opposite to Aunt Martha's.
Now, what does your ladyship say to it?'
"She says she can't CO." answered
Mary.
Cant go!" repeated Ida. "Why not?
Jenny will be in the city, and you are
will have a rare chance for taking music
lessons of our best teachers; and then,
too, you will be in the same house with
George, and that alone is worth going to
Boston for, think"
Ida little suspected that her last argu-
ment was the strongest objection to
Mary's going, for, much as she wished
to meet George again, she felt that she
would not on any account go to his home,
lest he should think she came on pur-
pose to see him. There were other rea-
sons, too, why she did not wish to go.
Henry and Rose Lincoln would both be
| in the city, and she knew that neither
of them would scruple to do or say any
| thing which they thought would annoy
her. Mrs. Mason, too, missed her, and
longed to have her at home; so she resist
ed oil Ida's entreaties, and the next let
ter which went to Aunt Martha carried
her refusal.
In day or two Mary received two let
ters one from Billy and one from Mrs.
Mason, the latter of which contained
money for the payment of her bills; but
on offering it to the principal, how was
she surprised to learn that her bills had
not only been regularly paid and receipt
ed, but that ample funds were provided
for the defraying of her expenses during
the coming year. A faint sickness stole
over Mary for she instantly thought Of
Billy Bender, and the obligation she
would now be under to him forever.
The preceptress was not at liberty to
tell, and with secret suspicion of Aunt
| Martha, Mary returned to her room to
| OIL LOT fah Wv still nj
opened. Her head grew dizzy, and her
spirits faint, as she read the passionate
outpouring of a heart which had cherish
ed her image for years, and which,
! though fearful of rejection, would still
tell her how much she was beloved. 1T
is no sudden fancy" said he. "Once,
Mary, l believed my affection for you
returned, but now you are changed. Your
letters are brief and cold, and when |
look around for the cause l am led to
fear that / was deceived In thinking you
ever loved me. If | am mistaken, tell
the so; but if l am not, IL you can never
be my wife, l will school myself to think
of you as a brother would think of an
only and darling sister,"
For several days Mary had not been
well, and the excitement produced by
| Billy's letter tended to increase her ill
ness. During the hours In which she was
alone that day she had ample time for
reflection, and before night she wrote a
letter to Billy, in which she told him how
impossible it was for her to be the wife
of one whom she had always loved as all
own and dear brother. This letter caused
] Mary so much effort, and so many bitter
tears that for several days she continued
worse, and at last gave up all hope of be-
! ing present at the examination.
"Oh, it's too badv' said Ida, "for do
want you to see Cousin George, and
know he'll be disappointed, too, for
never saw anything like the interest he
/ takes in you."
A few days afterward, as Mary was
| lying thinking of Billy, and wondering II
she had done right in writing to him as
she did, Jenny came rushing in, wild
with delight.
Her father was downstairs, together
with Ida's father, George and Aunt Mar
tha. Most the first thing l did" said
she, twas to inquire after Billy Bender!
guess Aunt Martha was shocked, for
she looked so queer. George laughed,
and Mr.. Selden said he was doing well,
and was one of the finest young men In
| Boston,"
During the whole of Georges stay al
Mount Holyoke Rose managed to keep
him at her side, entertaining him occa-
sonally with unkind remarks concerning
| Mary, who, she said, was undoubtedly
feigning her sickness so as not to appear
in her classes where she knew she could
do herself no credit; but" said she, ''as
soon as the examination is over she'll get
well fast enough and bother us with heI
company at Chicopee."
In this Rose was mistaken, for when
the exercises closed Mary was still too III
to ride, and it was decided that she
should remain few days until Mrs. Ma.
son could come for her. With many tears
Ida and Jenny bade their young friend
good-by, but Rose, when asked to go up
and see her, turned away disdainfully,
amusing herself during their absence by
talking and laughing with George More
land.
| r. L.,