Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1902-07-12


father are still in Europe, no one
knows whore. It's all overwork, tho
doctor says, and he ought to be thank
full it's not total blindness But Id be
cross. too. If had to sit in a dark room
for six months without any one to
read to me And he's SO anxious to
get on with his law"
Mona Stewart gazcd intently at the
visitor, whose jetted fringe rnttled a
caStanet accompaniment to her stream
of talk. Who ought to be thankful?
The talkative lady did not say.
When she had gone, Mona Slipped
from her corner by the window and
stood behind the great chair where her
grandmother sat winter and summer
playing solitaire.
Grandmother" she said questioning
ly, "who ought to be thankful, and
why must it last six mOnths:"
"Eh? Why, of course he ought to be
thankful. Inflammation Of the eyes is
no joke even if he did bring it on try
ing to learn everything in one year.
Commend me to young men for par
eel of fools" And the old lady snap
ped king of hearts on a queen and
shufled the pack viciously.
"Grandmothcr" again the small
brown head pccred around the corner
of the great cared chair-"who did you
say it wasT'
"Who? Why, young Phil Strong. of
course. the most reckless youngster
that ever lived. ought to know too.
Wasn't his grandfather my own cOus
In? Wasn't he just the same. obstinate
as Il rebel:
"Grandmothcr. did you say that he
was all alone?'
Mercy upon us. child, what next!
Yes, he's all alone. Look out of the
window all day If you want to. and
you won't see Il soul so out or in eX
ccpt the doctor and the butchers boy,
At this time of year all the silly peo-
pie have rushed off to roast at the sea
side. and there's no one In town to go
and see any one"
Mona looked out of the window mt
the house opposite. For days she had
wondered who it could be that the doc
tor Went to see.
81 should think he would be lonely"
said Mona TO herself. II should think
he would want some one to come and
read to him." There was n long pausc.
"And he's kind of cousin. too. besides
being my nciGhbOr. | should
think And grandmother takes
, &C. Of
Here's your cousin come TO read to
you. Mr.. Phil" The old housckceper
pushed open the library door and stood
aside for the young girl who had fol
lowed her up stairs.
"What?" came in a weary growl from
the darkness. who's going to read to
mc:"
But the housekeeper had departed,
and Mona was left standing in the mid
die of a very large, very closely cur
tanned room, with Il shadowy so: body
who had turned his bandaged eyes up
OH her in Il way that made her wonder
why she had ever come and how she
could get away without speaking. And
as she stood there the voice repeated.
who's that!"
Mona twisted her fingers together.
II heard my grandmother say that
you hadn't any one to read to You and
that il might last six months" She
could get no further, but it was too
late to retreat then.
At her first words the person sprawl
ing in the big chair had risen abruptly.
saying: Pardon me. ! didn't quite
understand what that beast of Il cook
said" How polite he was compared
with n moment before! "Your grand
mother is quite right. l haven't any
one to speak Christian word to-" Who
was this girl anyhow! He wished that
he dared pull up the bandage for a sec
ond. If her face matched her voice
WE'LL anyhow, If she We're as hOmcly
as sin she was an angel TO come and
Miss
Stewart, Mona Stewart, just across
the street." she FASTENED to tell him.
ITS mighty good of You. Miss Stew
art. What shall get you-l mean.
won't you find book? stayed in
town to study. and | haven't seen
book since ! came here. This cursed
luck-I beg your pardon-I mean my
eyes went back on me just as began
10 read for my degree"
ooh, that's what | came to read, II
You'll let me-" added Mona, glad that
bushes could not be heard by people
who couldn't see them.
Let you?" laughed the young man.
Indeed will, though I'm afraid
you'll find contracts dull work"
Indeed. it won't be dull n Bit" pro
tested Mona. her sixteen year-old heart
swelling proudly as she settled herself
near the window. where the light was
cautiously let in. Wasn't she doing
unto her neighbor as she would be
done by?
81 shall like it. ! am sure" she de-
'lared.
"And | love her for doing It," said
;he young man to himself mt the end
uf II month as he sat and waited for
o'clock and Mona.
But o'clock came. then 3 O'Clock.
2nd brought no one.
Mona did not come the next day or
the next. Philip Strong grew crosser
and crOSSer, and the doctor shook his
ne had made in the last month would
oe host if he did not stop fretting.
Doctor" said the young man one