Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-10-17

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up to Aikenside They say it's so beau
tiful," Madeline had said, as on Satur-
day evening they sat discussing the ex-
pected events of the following Monday
Mrs. Noah, the housekeeper, had Sarah
Jones there once, to sew. and she told
me all about it. There are graveled
walks, and nice green lawns. and big, tall
trees, and fiowers-oh! so many and
marble fountains, with gold fishes in the
basin; and statues, big as folks. all over
the yard. with two brass lions on the gate
posts. But the house is finest of all.
There's drawing room bigger than a
ball room, with carpets that let your feet
sink in so far; pictures and mirrors clear
to the foor-think of that, grandpa. a
looking glass so tall that one can see
the very bottom of their dress and know
just how it hangs. Dear me! | Won
der if I'll ever live in such a place as
Aikenside?"
NO, no, Maddy, no. Be satisfied with
the lot where God has put you, and
don't be longing after something higher.
Our Father in heaven knows just what
is best for us: as He didn't see fit to
put you up at Aikenside, faint noways
likely you'll ever live in the like of it,
Not unless l should happen to marry
rich man. Poor girls like me have
sometimes done that. haven't they?" was
Maddy's demure reply.
With the earliest dawn Monday she
was up, and her grandmother heard her
repeating to herself much of what she
dreaded DR.. Holbrook might question
her upon. Even when bending over the
wastub, for there were no servants at
the red cottage, a book was arranged be-
fore her, SO that she could study with
her eyes, while her small fat hands and
dimpled arms were busy in the suds. Be
fore ten o'clock everything was done, the
clothes, white as the snowdrops in the
garden beds, were swinging on the line,
the kitchen floor was scrubbed, the win
dows washed, the best room swept, the
vegetables cleaned for dinner, and then
Maddy's work was finished. Grandma
could do all the rest" she said and
Madeline was free ito put her eyes out
over them big books if she liked
Swiftly flew the hours until it was
time to be getting ready, when again the
short hair was deplored, as before her
looking glass Madeline brushed and ar
ranged her shining. beautiful locks.
Il could see splendidly in Mr.. Rem
ington's mirrors" she said to herself,
with half-sigh of regret that her lot
had not been cast in some such place as
Aikenside. instead of there beneath the
hill in that wee bit of a cottage, whose
rear slanted back until it almost touch
ed the ground. After all, l guess I'm
happier here" she thought. Everybody
likes me, while if I were Mr.. Guys
sister and lived at Aikenside, might
be proud and wicked"
She pinned on her little neat plaid
shawl, and, tying the blue ribbons of her
coarse straw hat, glanced once more at
the formidable cube root, and then hur-
ried down to where her grandfather and
old Sorrel we're waiting for her
II shall be so happy when l come back.
because it will then be over, just like
having a tooth out, you know" she said
to her grandmother, who bent down for
the good-by kiss without which Maddy
never left her. Now, grandpa, drive
on; l was to be there at three" and
chirruping herself to Sorrel, the impa-
tient Madge went riding from the cottage
door, chatting cheerily until the village
of Devonshire was reached; then, with
a farewell to her grandfather, who never
dreamed that the man whom he was seek
ing was so near, she tripped up the flag
ging walk, and, as we have seen soon
stood in the presence of not only DR.. Hol-
brook, but also of Guy Remington.
Poor, poor little Madge!