Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-08-16

loi Nary II Jenny, both OF Whom must
surely come, as there was a pleasant sur
prise awaiting them. While Mary WAS
rea'iins this Jenny was eagerly question:
ing Uncle Ezra with regard to the sale.
which he said went off uncommon WE'LL
gel2s chiefly, he %reckoned, ito Il tall and
mighty sood-lookin' chap. who kept bid
cling up and UP. till he got 'em about
where they should be. Then he'd stop
ioi' someone else to bid"
Who vas heY' asked Mary, coming
forward and joining Jenny.
Dan know, miss: never Seen him
afore." said Uncle Ezra. "but he's got
heaps OF money, for when he paid for the
p!:ancr he took out IL roll OF bills near
abort big as my two lis,s..'
Then the piano is gomez" said Jenny,
sadly. while Mary asked how mach it
brought.
Three hundred dollars was the last
bid ! heard from that voting Teller. AMI
somebody WHO was bildin' lgin him said
twas more'n twas wuth."
ut wasn't, either spoke up Jenny,
rather spiritcdly. "1t cost five hundred,
and it's never been hurt a Bit
MIR. Bender bought that little fiddle of
you!n," continued Uncle Ezra, with Il PEE
c;.liar wink, which brought the color to
Jenny's checks, while Mary exclaimed:
"Oh! I'm SO glad you can have your
guitar again!"
Here the conversation was interrupted
by the arrival of the carriage, which
came for the young ladies'. who We're soon
OF their way to MIR. Seldcn's. Mary won
dcring what the surprise was. and Jen-
NY hoping William would call in the wen
ing. AT the door they met Ida, who was
unusually ~mcrry-almost too much SO for
the occasion. it seemed to Mary, as she
glanced at Jcnny's pale, dispirited face.
AUNT Martha, too. who CHANGED to cross
the hall, shook Mary's hand as warmly
rs if she had not seen her for n year,
and hen with her broad. white cap
strings flying back. She repaired to the
kitchen to give orders concerning the sup
per.
Mary did not notice it then, but she
aftcrward remembered that Ida seemed
qaite anxious about her appearance. for,
following her to her room, she said, You
look tired, Mary. Sit down and rest you
awhile. Here. take my vinaigrette-that
will revive you" Then. as Mary was
arranging her hair. she said: Just puff
out this side Il little more-there, that's
right. Now turn round, l want to see
how You look"
We'll. how do II" asked Mary. facing
about as Ida directed.
II guess you'll do" returned Ida. 81
believe Henry Lincoln w;ls right when
he said that this blue merino and linen
collar was the most becoming dress you
could wear, but you look wei! i'll any
thing. you have so fine IL form"
Don't believe all her .lattcry." said
Jenny, laughingly. She's only compar
ing your tall. Ter figure with little
dumpy me; but I'm growing thin-see.'
and She tapped her dress two or three
inches in front.
Come, now. let's go down." said Ida.
"-And III introduce you To Jenny's sur
prise first
With Ida leading the way. they entered
the music room. where in one corner
stood Roses piano. open. and apparent
ly inviting Jenny to its side. With Il joy
fll cry she sprang forward. eNclaimins.
"Oh. how kind in your father: l most
know we can redeem'it some time. I'll
teach school-nnythins to get it again"
Don't thank father too much,' an
swered Ida. for he has nothing to do
with it. except giving it house room. and
one quarters teaching will pay tina, BILL
who did buy it. theny' asked Jen-
ny: and Ida replied:
Cant tell you just vet. I must have
some music first. Come. Mary. you like
to play. Give NE my %favorite, Rosa
Lee with variations"
Mary was passionatcly fond OF music,
and. for the time She had taken lessons,
played uncommonly well. Seating herself
Mt the piano she became oblivious to all
else around her. and when IL tail figure
for Il moment darkenel the doorway,
while Jenny uttered Il suppressed cx-
clamation OF surprise. she paid no heed.
nor did she become CONSCIOUS of IL third
persons presence until THE group advance
ed toward her. Ida and Jenny leaning up
on the piano and the other standing ut
her right. Il little in the rcar. Think
ing. if she thought at all. that ii was Will
liam Bender. Mary played on until the
piece was finished and Their observing
that her companions had left the room,
she turned and met the dark, handsome
cyes-not OF William Bender. but of one
who, with Il peculiar smile. offered his
hand. saying. II believe l need no intro
ducticn TO Miss Howard. except Il slight
! change in the namn. which. instead OF
being Stuart. is Morelanl..'
Mary never knew what she said or
did. She only remembered Il dizzy SEN
%sat;on. in her head. Il strong arm passed
around her. and Il voice. which fully
aroused her as it called her Mary" and
asked if she were faint. Just then Ida
entered the room. announcing tea. and
asking her il she found MIR. Stuart
much changed! At the tea table Mary
sat opposite George and every time sht
raised her eyes she met his fixed upor
her, with IN expression so like that OF
the picture in the golden lockct which
she still wore that she wondered she Leo
not before recognized George Morelan,
in the Mr.. Stuart who had so puzzle,
and mystitied her.
During the evening William Bende
called, and soon after Henry Lincoln ais,
came in, frowning gloomily when he say
how near to each other were William
and his sister. while he jealousy watch
ed them. still keeping an eye upon Georg
and Mary. At last, complaining of feel
in. blue" he asked Ida to play. at tn
same time sauntering toward the must
49,