, 1906-04-25

Ann responded to tie mummy which
shaded the hearty voice of her hostess,
and, though she shiYered in the chill
air, answered cheerily: I'm sure this
is very nice. The bed is tempting"
Hesitatingly, with many misgivings,
Mrs. Kelly Withdrew, and Ann hurried
~ dlsrobed and leaped into the bed,
which was white as snow and almost
as cold. 1t was like Il plunge into the
breakers at Magnolia ii fairly took her
breath away. II there |as no escape
from this icy contact, for the air was
as bitter as the sheets.
But the jog of the meeting with Louis
and the unexpected GLOW of confidence
and pleasure with which she net Ray
mond's anxious, piercing eyes cam
back to warm her heart.
How changed Raymond wasi How
deeply brown! lie lo5.e1 as vigorous
as she saw him first ut the ranch. and
yet different-years older; and with his
strength, his resolution, something new
was Notwithstanding graYer and
sweeter. lie was handsomer in the
miners heavy boots than in the cow
boys spurs and kerchief.
Her mind took up again the singular
ity of her position, .ng there in a
frosty bed in Il mines cabin. She
laughed. Am | to meet my death by
f~reeZing?" But ut last IL glow of com
fort began to steal over her, a delicious
!anguor, and then-she was awakened
by IL grinding sound and by the shout
ing of cheerful children, and IL few
minutes later the gentle voice of Mrs.
Kelly sounded at the door.
Are you awaken Ann threw back
the coverlet to find the room full of
sunshine. MAY | come in?" asked
Mrs. Kelly.
"Certainly," said Ann, and the pale
and pretty little housewife entered
with Il pitcher of warm water.
Good morning. How did you sleep
the night?"
81 don't know. l haven't the slight
est idea where the night ven to-"
After her hostess left her Ann lay
staring at the rough walls and the still
more primitive ceiling in wonder. ut
must be real" she thought, for l
couldn't possibly dream it," With a
realization of her own sloth, she sprang
out upon the cold hoor and began to
dress with a vigor and celebrity she
did not know she possessed.
During breakfast she studied Mrs.
Kelly and began to understand ut last
that the little mother had not merely
washed and dressed the boys and
cooked the breakfast, but had served
as waitress and maid of all work, and
now, calm and sweet and self con-
tanned, was presiding over the table.
If any dish needed replenishing, she
sprang up to get it, and this put the
robust daughter of wealth to shame.
Don't you feel tired some mornings
and lie abed?" she asked.
Mrs. Kelly smiled. Indeed l do, but
l can't afford to lie abed. When Matt
makes his next strike, sure I'm going
to hire Il girl and sleep till I'm weary
of it, if it takes n week.
You must let me do something while
l am here" said Ann. Let me pro-
vide n maid for YOU
"Oh, no; l was only jokin'. Sure.
you couldn't hire n girl on the hill to do
homework. Besides. the best of them
are not fit company for you, and in IL
small hut like this you're cheek by
jowl with your help"
Ann had not thought of them as com
pany, but she gravely replied: 81 might
bring a maid from my Cousins house.
At any rate. you must let me help this
morning. | can sweep and dustin
deed | can"
mighty little busting the shack needs
in this air. said Mrs. Kelly. Good
luck to me, it's tiny"
II must help or l will not stay" in
sisted Ann. AT least | can amuse the
children"
Louis shot through the door like n
stone from n sling. His eyes were
dancing. Good morning, everybody"
he shouted. Haven't you b~reakfasted
yet? Why, we've been done ten min
utes. Isn't this bully this life up
here? How do you feel this morning?"
Ann laughed to see him so elate. so
vigorous. what Il child you arer' she
exclaimed in wonder.
Raymond followed at a little dis
lance. Good morning, Miss Rupert.
Good morning, Nora. Hello, younkers."
and he gathered Il boy under each nrm.
He looked very capable and entirely
self contained as he put the lads down
and addressed himself to Ann. 81 sup
pose your baggage went to Bozle, but
we will get thst today. And, Mrs. Kel-
L. if xra.L-.nnl nnuAhA.aA A. anl-A AIian