The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-02-05
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= A STORY-BOOK MOTHER - -
Al BY MARGARET BLOUNT. -
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BY MARGARET BLOUNT.

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"Hurrah" cried Mabel, selling be-
gypsy hat by its blue ribbons.
Lady Mabel pray do not be 50 bois
ferrous" said the prim voice. "Aud
your gloves! You cannot be going ont
without giOvcsr
The stiff Kid gloves were drawn on
the hat was properly tied under hci
chm, ana at last the half-stincd pris
onor was in the open air.
But here she fell perpctually into
disgrace. Miss Simpson scarcely knew
her charge. 80 bOistcr0us! So un
iadylikc" were the cautions forever
on her lips. Lady Mabel must not
run too fast 10 get heated. Lady Ma.
bel must not think Of tossing of her
hat, Lady Mabel must not drink cold
water, Lady Mabel must 90 in ana
dress for dinner long before she had
had sufficient exercise 10 satisfy her
crampcd up limbs and heart
The dinner was one plain Joint of
meat with vegetables, and plain
fruit tart.
"I'vc eaten better things than this
In the red farmhouse" thought Lady
Mabel Eut she was hungry ana TO
the healthy appetite OF u twclvc.ycar-
old girl nothing came amiss
Here again Miss Simpson reprovcd
her.
"A second help, Lady Mabcli And n
second help 10 the tart! | hardly know
what my lady would say. However,
for this once; but pray, Lady Mabel.
do not eat so hurricdly. | scarcely rec
ognizc you today"
Mabel saw the tray carried ont with
regrctiul eyes. She was still hungry
or she thought she was, which was
quite as hard TO bear
Now, at least, | can have n good
play all " myself she thought when
they went ont on the lawn
But no. Ever and always that dis.
agreeable cOvcrncss at her heels.
As the evening drew on, she was 20
run upstairs 10 be dressed. Here, for
tie FIRST time her soul rciOiCcd in a
beautiful evening trock, with open
work stockings and French slippers,
wide blue sash, ana a tiny string Of
pearls around her neck, Claspcd hy q
golden lOckct.
Downstairs she went for the dessert.
Ushercd into TIE dining room by
tall servant in full livery. she stopped
short at sight Of n brilliant company
in fun dress gathered around q splcu-
didly decorated table.
"YOu may come 20 me- my daughter"
said a tain, handsome man at the foot
of the table. She went to him.
She stood beside his knee and hc fed
her with d0iutics from his plate HE
hand fingered once ON her brown curls
rs If he loved her, but only once.
A beautiful woman sat at the head
Of the table 2lttcring with diamonds.
Her large, dark eyes rested Coolly on
little Mabel, for she was the second
wife Of the earl, and The child recalled
the image Of a dead rival whom she
hated, even in her grave. Mabel Shrauk
from the indifferent gaze, aud dared
not call the proud lady mother when
they were alone.
The ladies arose from table with
silkcn rustic.
The gentlemen stood up I'm their
places. and ono held the door open,
bowing low rs they passed hy. lie
smiled at little Mabel II was the first
kind smile she had received ia that
grand house.
Up to the magnificent room she tim
idly followed the ladies. She Crcpt
into 4 corner and turned over the
leaves Of volume of CuCraviugS, feel
ing herself sadly homcsick and out OF
place all the while
"Oh, dear" she sighed. "it is really
dreadful, | DO wish could bC Mabel
Moore again.
why not2' said n grur voice.
Mabel opened her eyes.
The little woman in green was no.
where 20 be seen. but the COWS stood
in grave circle around her, wondering
what could make the usually active
little girl so still.
From the chimney Of the snug, red
farmhouse in the hollow Il column of
smoke poured mcrrily upward, and she
saw her fathers wagon driving away
from the kitchen door 20 the barn.
THANK goodness. Miss Simpson is
not h2rew she said, executing a jump
that would have flied that staid LADY, =
heart with horror.
Then Mabel drove Ecr cows quietly
down the lane. and into the harvard.
where her father caught her UP in
his arms and kissed her heartily.
I've brought you such a doll, Ma
bel" he said. Dressed like a lady Of
Colonial days. you know"
Just then Mrs. Moore appeared at
the open kitchen door.
"The shortcakes are done TO n turn.
father, and want Mabel 10 have hers
now" she said. cant you come. too.
and do your milking afterwards"
ITO be sure can. My little girls
supper shau't he spoiled IL can pre-.
vent it." said the farmer.
So they sat down happily 20 tea. with
me fresh breeze blowing through the
open doors and windows. the round
china cake DISH piled high with such
shortcakes rs few city people ever have
the luck 10 SEQ or 10 taste. and the lady
Of Colonial days looking or. amiably
from beneath her powdered hair mex;
10 Mabcl's seat
"Oh. dearl I'm so lad you are not an
earl and countess. and ! wouldn't be
Lady Mabel for the world said Mabe,
wien SINNER was over
They laughed heartily at the speech
. But they did not know why she made