Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-10-30

and everywhere. hate the people In
those trains, when I see them pass;
they can go about and see all kinds of
sights and people, while we stick here
and see nothing, day in, day out, in
this forsaken place, alone nearly all
the time, and nothing to do. believe
it's killing me!'
1t was a struggle between rage and
tears, and the former conquered for the
time.
1T is a bit lonely" admitted Will,
rather sadly. MARY, why don't you go
and sit with Blake's wife sometimes?
That would be company"
II don't like her, VIII. Then the chill
dren make a noise. and she's always so
taken up with them"
"How many have they got now?"
asked Will with strange intOnation in
his voice.
THAT last made four. They have a
! lot, and others"
Mary was about to say that many
other people had none, but she stopped
VIII sighed, and Mary echoed the sigh
onconsci0usly.
Isn't there something you could do
to make the time less tiring?" inquired
VIII helplessly.
II could get some wool and knit
things for the winter. but we can't
spare the money. and we've got enough
things for another three wintersg re-
turned Mary angrily. when say
I've nothing to do, Of course I can
make work. have to. or should eat
my heart out. I look at the trains and
I see the happy people, and it hurts me
80 that have to turn to and do some
Homework. I scrub the kitchen floor
in the morning, and often scrub It
again in the afternoon. When those
feelings come over me, have to do
something or I'd go mad, stark, staring
mad! So get the soap and water
and scrubbing brush. and work on
that kitchen floor to relieve EN-"
1t was Sunday evening once more;
an autumn Sunday, with the night fall
ing at an earlier hour. VIII Haynes
was standing modify near the kitchen
door, outside this time, while Mary was
seated on the step. Both were staring
blankly into the twilight. There had
| been angry words at tea-time.
I'm going to watch the down ex-
press pass" said VIII suddenly.
He walked along the line for nearly
mile until he saw the train coming.
The signal was against 1t, and it
slowed down and stopped. This was
rather surprise for VIII Haynes, but
he supposed that the company was rum
| ming an excursion on the main line
where the loop joined farther on, and
excursions are always late. 1t was
rather strange that expresses should
be run on that loop at all, VIII Haynes
had thought when he first took up his
duties, but he learned that the line
served as a connection with the sys-
TEN Of another company, and it was
considered policy to run them.
| These thoughts were passing through
Wills mind when he observed, in the
dim light figure approach the train
and then he noticed that a carriage
door was open. The figure climbed on
to the footboard and entered the car
riage, shutting the door just as the
train began to move. In half a dozen
seconds the express was running past
him with steadily increasing speed.
VIII was curious and made his way
to the spot where he had noticed the
dark form. There was something by
the side of the line; 1t proved to be a
large hamper. More curious than ever,
Will cut the Irvine that secured the lid
! and began to examine its contents
He drew back with surprised cry,
then emitted a whistle, and sat down
to think it over.
Eyes, that will do it, If work the
thing all right" he said softly.
| He took up the hamper in his strong
arms and carried 1t to the cottage
Placing 1t ON the floor, which fortu-
nately had not been scrubbed since, the
morning, he called Mary. and without
answering her question, opened the lid
and pulled aside a light cloth. In the
hamper lay baby, just beginning to
wriggle and cry.
Somebody's left it on the line" said
VIII simply, 80 l thought I'd bring 1t
here"
II don't want other peoples brats"
declared Mary harshly.
| VIII was nonplussed, but he con-
trived to hide the fact, and played his
part very well.
"All right" he said coolly. I'll go
and see the policeman in the village,
and tell him. He must find somewhere
for It to go. But can't take the child
with me. so I'm afraid I'll have to
leave it here till l come back. Spose
you don't mind attending to 1t till
thenY'
Mary's face remained hard in ex.
preston, and Will glided out before
she could reply. The baby began to
whimper again, and then to cry Justify.
poor thing" murmured Mary softly.
Its hungry and cramped."
She took 1t up and soothed 1t by
rocking it in her arms. She contrived
to give 1t some milk and water, feed.
ing it with little drops in a teaspoon.