The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1901-07-26
CHAPTER XX

CHAPTER XX.
On the same day when Rose Lincoln
left Boston for Glenwood Mrs. Campbell
sat in her own room, gloomy and de-
pressed. For several days she had not
been well, and besides that Elias engage
ment with Henry Lincoln filled her heart
with dark forebodings, for rumor said
that he was unprnciped and dissipat-
ed, and before giving her consent Mrs.
Campbell had labOred long with Ella,
who insisted that "he was no worse than
other young men-most Of them drank
occasionally, and Henry did nothing
mOrew
On this afternoon she had again con-
versed with Ella, who angrily declared
that she would marry him even il she
knew he'd be a drunkard, adding, "But
all the world, and shall help him to re-
form"
II don't believe your sister would mar
ry him." continued Mrs. Campbell, who
was becoming much attached to Mary.
II don't believe she would either, and
for a good reason, too" returned Ella,
pettshly jerking her long curls. "But |
can't see why you should bring her up,
for he has never been more than polite
to her, and that he assured me was Who'll
ly on my account"
'She isn't pleased with your engage
mentw said Mrs. Campbell, and Ella
replied:
We'll what Of that? It's nothing to
her, and didn't mean she should know
it, but Jenny, like a little tattler, must
needs tell her. and so she has read me a
two hours sermon on the subject. She
acted so queer, too, didn't know what
to thing of her, and when she and Henry
are together they look so funny that | al
most believe she wants him herself, but
she cant have him-no, she can't have
him." and secure in the belief that she
was the first and only object of Henry's
affection, Ella danced out of the room to
attend to the seamstress who was doing
her plain sewing.
After she was gone Mrs. Campbell fell
asleep, and for the first time in many
long year dreamed of her old home in
England. She did not remember il her.
SELF but she had so often heard II de-
scrbed by the aunt who adopted her that
now it came vividly before her mind, with
its dark stone walls, its spacious grounds
terraced gardens, running vines and
creeping roses. Something about it, too,
reminded her of what Ella had once said
of her mothers early home, and when
she awOke she wondered that she had
never questioned the child more concern
ing her parents. She was just lying back
again upon her pillow when there was a
gentle rap at the door, and Mary How
ards soft voice asked permission to come
in.
"Yes, do said Mrs. Campbell. Per
haps you can charm away my headache,
which is dreadful"
"Tll try" answered Mary. "Shall
read to you?"
If you please; but first give me my
salts. You'll find them there in that
drawer"
Mary obeyed, but started as she open
ed the drawer, for there, on the top, lay
small, old-fashoned miniature Of fair
young child, so nearly resembling Frankly
that the tears instantly came to her eyes.
What is it," asked Mrs. Campbell,
and Mary replied:
This picture-so much like brother
Franky. May l look at it,"
Certainly" said Mrs. Campbell. "That
is a picture of my sister,"
For a long time Mary gazed at the |
sweet, childish face, which, with its clus-
tering curls, and soft brown eyes, looked |
to her so much like Franky. At last,
turning to Mrs. Campbell. she said, 'You
must have loved her very much. What |
was her nameT
ELLA Temple" was Mrs, Campbelrs
reply, and Mary instantly exclaimed:
why, that was my mothers name"
Your mother. Mary! your mother?"
said Mrs. Campbell, starting up from her
pillow. But no. it cannot be- Your
mother is lying in Chicopee, and ELLA,
my sister, died in England"
Every particle of color had left Mary's !
face, and her eyes, now black as mid
night, stared wildly at Mrs. Campbell. |
The sad story, which her mother had
once told her, came back to her mind,
bringing with it the thought which had |
so agitated her companion.
Yes" she continued, without noticing
what Mrs. Campbell had said, my moth
er was Ella Temple, and she had two
sisters, one her own, and the other
half-sister-Sarah Fletcher and Jane
Temple-both of whom came to America |
many years ago"
Tell HE more-tel me all you know"
whispered Mrs. Campbell, grasping |
Mary's hand; 'and how it came about
that | thought she was dead-my sister"
Upon this point Mary could throw no
light, but of all that she had heard from |
her mother she told, and then Mrs. Camp |
bell. pointing to her writing desk, said:
Bring it to me, musrread that let
ter again"
Mary obeyed. and taking out a much
soiled, blotted letter, Mrs. Campbell ask
ed her to read it aloud. 1t was as fol- |
lows:
Daughter Jane-I now take this oppor-
tunity of informing you that I've lost
your sister Ella. and have now no child |
saving yourself, who, il you behave well,