The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-03-04
going to stop a spell? Then you'll
hear Etta Singi I'm"

going tC STOP d SpoH. L Ch Jou "A
hear Eta sing! I'm"
But here the train for Boston came
laundering along. The old lady has
tened to put away her knitting and
get together various of her belongings
which were lying on the bench. Jes-
sic walked over to the train with her,
and saw her safely in the car. There
was no time for words, but the old lady
waved a smiling good-by to the girl
from the car window as the train sped
away.
Jessie returned to her seat on the
bench. 1t was plain, she thought, that
this old lady's daughter was the girl
of whom Anna Holmes had written in
her letter, whose voice could not be
compared with her own. How Strange
it was that she should have met her!
She was going to Boston to tell her
the good news that she was TO be
chief soprano in the new church choir.
But Anna said that she would be sure
of the position.
How the old lady's eye had shone as
she told of her daughters voice! How
proud she was that she was to have
this position! What cruel disap-
pointment it would be for them both
to return and find stranger had come
and secured it! That poor old lady!
She had doubtless had many disap-
pointments in her life How cruel it
would be to take it from her! Still,
why should not she look out for her
own interests? What was there wrong
in that? And how could she give up
the chance of living with Mrs. Holmes
and Anna?
Jessie sat a long time in deep
thought. The whistle of an approach
ing train aroused her. A number Of
people were hurrying toward the sta
ton 1t was the train for Newton.
Jessie rose and walked to the front OF
the platform; then, seized with sud-
den resolution, went to the ticket Office
and inquired the time at which the next
train passed to WasSet. She bought a
ticket for the latter place, and then sent
a telegram to Mrs. Holmes. for they
would be at the station at Newton to
meet her.
Then she returned to her seat on the
shady side OF the station. Her eyes
filled with tears as she watched the
train for Newton disappear rapidly in
the distance. She was going back to
the old monotonous life, but that old
lady's plans for her daughter would not
lose their chance of fulfillment.
Wasset was quiet under the MONDAY
sun when Jessie walked up the road
from the station to her aunt's house.
There were no signs of any preparation
for the midday meal as the girl entered
the rear entrance door and passed
through the kitchen. Nor was there
any sign of Mrs. Sinclair. Jessie passed
on to the sittIng-room. Her aunt was
sitting at the open window, her hands
lying listlessly in her lap. She looked
up in startled way at her niece's en-
trance.
The latter did not wait for her to
speak. She told her briefly why she
had returned. Mrs. Sinclair's face was
white and drawn, and there were marks
about her eyes which would have been
made only by tears. Jessie noticed
them. She impulsively put her hand
on her aunt's arm and said, Il hope you
are not sorry that l have come back.
Aunt Martha, +"
But before she could say more Mrs.
Sinclair had drawn her down into her
arms and was kissing her passionately.
Surprise kept Jessie still. But she
slipped one arm around her aunt's neck.
Child, couldn't bear it. You must
stay with me. | am not so hard as
seemed. And 1 was jealous of those
friends of yours.
81 don't want to leave you, if you will
let me love you," whispered Jessie.
Her aunt held her closely. Presently
she said: 1--WE shall go to town to
morrow and buy you piano, but
shall not touch your money for it. You
will stay with me?"
"Oh, Aunt Martial"
"Have all the books and music you
wish, child
Jessie kissed her warmly. Then no
ticing how worn she looked, she said:
Go and lie down on the lounge until ii
| is ready"
And Mrs. Sinclair, who had always
declared it 20 be sinful waste of time
| to lie down in the day, gladly obeyed.-
| The Classmate.