The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-02-05

had been out all the afternoon in hcl
fathers great OK pasture, gathering
berries for a shortcake and for pre-
serves.
In the pleasant Kitchen Mrs. Moore
was lighting the fire 10 bake the short
cakes. 1t was full hour later thar
the usual tea time ut the farm, fOl
the farmer had driven into Concord
with some produce for the market, ant
was not expected back tin dusk.
Just as Mrs. Moore had filed the
teakettle her quick brown eyes caught
sight Of the hired boy leisurcly stroll
ing along the highroad toward In,
village She rushed TO the open win
dow and called after him: "Abner
Ab-nerp but Abncr either did not hear
or did not choose 10 hear and wen
his way.
That provoking boyw said Mrs
Moore as she came back into the kit
chen with flushed face. Pm sure
he heard me told him that Black
Dick would not drive in the cows TO
night and that he must see TO them
before he went away. Now he has
gone, and your father will be tired 10
death when he gets back from the
city"
She looked wistfully AZ Mabel, who
was braiding her bright brown hair
with roscbuds at the open window.
Mabel felt that look She knew what
II meant. But she did not choose to
move or speak
Don't you think you can go for them
this once, daughter, and save your
poor father the tronblcW SAID Mrs.
Moore, in a hcsitating tone.
MabePs pretty face cloudcd over.
"Oh. dear! Ycs-l suppose SOP sho
said, with groan.
She took her sunbOnnet and went out
with slow, unwilling feet Her mother
looked after her and sighed.
IL wish she was more contcntcd. |
wish ] could make her life more as
she wants il 20 be-" said the gentle
soul as she went on with her prcpara-
ton, and rolled out special pile of
doll cakes for her girI
Mabel went sulkily down The green
She crossed the foot bridge and On
tered the pasture, and sat down by a
spring that ran merrily out Of the hill
side through a hollow los into wood
cu trough. she drank of the cool
sweet water, ana bathcd her face and
looked AZ herself il the still surface
OF the w;ter
pm pretty enough to be girl in n
story book" said the vain little thing
arranging her rosCbuds. II wish |
was one. l wish | had story book
home and story book father and
mother. an earl and countess" she
went on, leaning against the messy
bank and shutting her eyes upon the
actual red wooden farmhouse, with its
clustering barns and sheds, that stood
b. the roadside in the hollow below.
LET me see. ] should be Lady Mabel
then. Lady Mabel Moore. Oh. dear
l wish there were fairies now, and one
of them would come here ana touch me
With her wand and make il all true
As she muscd over the delights OF
such a life, she heard a grutr voice
saying on the other side Of the spring:
well, why notY
She opened her eyes.
A little. sharp-loOkinC woman In
green, with n wand of peeled rush,
stood balancing herself on the edge
OF the watering trough.
OH cried Mabel Are you a
fairy?"
why not" growlcd the wee wo-
man.
"Can you make me Lady Mabel"
"Why not? This is an auSpicious
year, and any one who wishes by my
spring at this sunset hour can have
their wish. You are sure that you
want yours TO come TO pass, | sup
poser"
"Oh, please" cried Mebel. without
even a parting glance at the red farm
house-one last thought Of the good
mother toiling in the kitchen.
Have your wish, then! Appear.
Lady Mabel"
The wand touched her shoulders
In an instant everything was
changed. She found herself in an
upper chamber in a large and stately
house. The windows were open. show
ing a magnificent park that extended
on every side far as the eye could
reach.
Mabel recognized the house and the
woodland view She had owned pic.
ture OF that lordly palace when she
was plain Mabel Moore. Was it
could II be possible that il was now
her home|'
Lady Mabel said dcmure voice
beg Kat you will not lean on your el
bows in that manner. Pray attend "a
this lesson in history. or I must report
you as idle I'm the extreme"
II was the stiff English govcrncs.
who spoke, and the room was a school
room. plainly furnished. Lady Mabel
glanced down at her own dress. Onl!
plain muslin, with n high white pin
afore. thread stockings. and high ki,
boots! She had expected 10 wear silk
and satins at least, IL net cloth o
goldl
Oh. that wearisome governess! Tw,
mortal hours went on. aud Lady Ma
bel was questioned about history. ge
ography and grammar. till che felt a
AZ she were becoming insane.
AT .ast q great clock struck some