Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-05-24

~ SN tus.ii lSL uid IublluSs III
back, said, Forgive me, Mary. ] could
not help ~plaguins you Il little. but III try
and not do it again"
For Il time George kept this resolution,
but he could not conceal the preference
which he felt for ELLA, whose doll-likc
face and childish ways were far more
in keeping with his taste than Mary's
old look. Whenever he noticed her at
all. he spoke kindly to her; but she knew
there was a great difference between his
treatment of her and Ella, and Outlines,
when saying her evening prayer. she
prayed that George Morcland might love
her a little, just IL little.
Two weeks had passed since the last
vcstigc of land had disappeared from
view. and then George was taken dam
-crously i'll with fever. Mrs. Howard
herself visited him frequently. but she
commanded her children to keep away.
lest they. too. should take the disease.
For Il day or two Mary obcye,i her moth
OF. and then curiosity led llcr near
Georges berth. For several minutes she
fingered. and was about t~urnin, away
when a low moan fell on hey ear and ar
rested her Footsteps. Her mothers COM
manis We've forgotten. and in Il moment
she stood by Georges bedside. Tender
ly she smoothcl his tumhlel pillow.
moistcnei his parvhcd lips and bathcd
his fcYerish brow, and when an noun af-
forward. the physician entered, he found
his patient calmly sleeping. with one
hand ciaspct! in tiiat Of Mary.
Mary. Mary Howard" said the ply
Sician. This is 10 place for YOU and
he c%ndcavored to lead her away.
This aroused George. who begged so
hard for her to remain that the pllysi-
elan went III quest of Mrs. Howard. who
rather unwillingly consented, and Mary
was duly installed as nurse. Perfectly
delighted with her now vocation, she
would sit for hours by her charge. She
possessed II very sweet, clear voice; and
frequently. when all other means had
failed to quiet him. she would bend her
face near his. and taking his hands in
hers. would sing to him some simple song
of home. until lullcl by the soft music
he would fall away to sleep. Such UNI
wearird Kindness was not without its Of
feet upon George, and one day when
Mary as usual was sitting near him. he
called her to his side. and taking her face
between his hands. kissed her forehead
and lips. saying. what can ] ever do to
pay my little nurse for her kindncss:'
Mary hcsitated a moment, and then
replied, Love me as we'll as you do
Ella"
"As we'll as / do Ella" he repeated:
II love YOU Il great deal better. She has
not been to see me once. What is the
rcason:'
Frank, who a moment before had stol-
eli to Mary's side, answered. saying.
Someone told Ella that if she should
have the fever. her curls would all drop
off: and so she won't como near YOU"
inst then Mrs. Howard appeared. and
this time she was accompanied by Ella.
who chung closely to her mothers skirts.
George did not as usual carcss her. but
he asked her mockingly. ''if her hair had
commenced coming OUT while Ella only
answered by siasping at her long curls.
as ii to rcassure herself of their safety.
In a few days George was able to go
on deck. and though he still pettcd and
played with ELLA. he never again slight
ed Mary. At last. after many weary
days. there came the joyful news that
land was in sight: and next morning Ros-
ton. with its numerous domes and spires.
WAS before them. Toward noon a pleas
ant looking. middle-aged man came on
board. inquiring for George Moreland.
and announcing himself as Mr.. Selden.
George Immediately stepped forward.
and after greeting his uncle, introduced
Mr.. and Mrs. Howard. speaking mt the
same time of their Kindness to him during
his illness. All was now confusion, bnt
in the hurry and hustle of goin. ashore
George did not forget Mary. Taking
her aside he threw round her neck a
small golden chaii;. to which was attach
ed II locket containing Il miniature like
ness OF himself painted Il year before.
Keep it, said he. Ito remember mo
by. or if you get tired of it. give it to
ELLA for Il plaything."
II wish ! had one for you.' said Mary,
and George replied. Never mind. can
remember YOUR looks without u likeness
Then bidding adieu to Mr.. and Mrs.
Howard. Frank and ELLA, he sprang into
his uncle's carriage and was rapidly
driven away. Mary looked after him as
long as the heads of the white horses
We're in sight, and then taking Franks
hand, followed her parents to the hotel,
where for Il few days they had deter
mined to stop while Mrs. Howard made
inquiries for her sister.
Meantime from the windows of a large.
handsome building IL little girl looked
out, impatiently waiting her fathers re-
turn. wondering why he was sone.so long
and if she should like her cousin George.
In the center of the room the dinner
table was standing, and Ida Sellen had
twice changed the location of her cousins
plate. once placing it ut her side. and
lastly putting it directly in front, So she
could have a fair view of his face.
why don't they Gomez" she had said
for the twentieth time, when the sound
of carriage wheels in the yard below
made her start up, and, running down
stairs, she was soon shaking the hands
of her cousin, whom she decided to be
handsome. Placing her arm affcctionate-
ly around him, she led him into the par.
lor, saying: Il am so glad that you have
come to live with me and be my brother
Wen have real nice times. but perhaps
you dislike little girls. Did you ever see
one that you loved?"
Eyes, two" was the answer. " My
cousin Ida and one other"
''Oh, who is she?" asked Ida. Tel