Mexico Missouri message., 1908-03-05

weazen. dried-up little old man. who
wore q wig and seemed 20 exude
rules and discipline. lacked the kindly
interest Of Miss Phinny.
Chip. almost q mature young lady,
was aligned with girls and boys Of
| 10 and ~, and once more the same
shame and humiliation had be en-
dured. II wore away In time. how.
ever, for she had made almost mar.
velous progreAs under Miss Phinney.
Her mind was keen and quick. ana
once at study again, she astonishoA
Mr.. Bell. the master.
Something OF her old fearless self.
reliance now came to her aid, also.
II had made her dare 60 miles OF will.
derness alone and helpless. II had
spurred her to escape Greenvale and
her sense OF being a dependent pau
per, and now that latent force for
good or III still nerved her.
But Christmas Cove did not suit
her. The sea that drew her eyes
with its vastness seemed to awe her.
Tho great house, brown and moss
coated where she lived, was barnlike,
and never quite warm enough. The
long street she traversed four times
daily was bleak and wlnd.swept. Aunt
Abby was austere and lacking in cor.
duality; and sundays-well, Sundays
were Chips one chief adherence.
Another influence an insidious
heart hunger she could not put away
now added to her loneliness in the
new life. II carried her thoughts back
10 the rippled. moonllt lake, where
Ray had picked his banjo and sung
TO her; even back to that FIRST night
by the campfire when she had watch.
ed and listened to him in rapt ad.
mlration. II thrilled her as naught
else could when she recalled the few
moments at the lake men. unconscious
OF the need OF restraint, she had let
him caress her.
Then the long days OF watching for
his return were lived over, and the
one almost ecstatic moment when he
had leaped from the stage and over
the wall. with no one in sight, while
he held her in his arms.
And then-and this hurt the most
that last evening before they were to
part again, when beside the firehy.lIt
mill pond he had the chance to say
so much and said-nothing!
1t was all a bittersweet memory,
which she tried to put away forever
the night she left Greenvale. She
was now Vera Raymond. No one
could trace her; and yet, so at odds
we're her will and her heart, there
! al fatn hann haN Do
would sometime and hOmehow find
her out.
And so, studying faithfully. often
lonesome. now and then longing for
the bygone days with Ray and Old
Cy. and always hoping that she might
some time return to Peaceful Valley.
Chip passed the winter at Christmas
Cove.
Something OF success came to her
through 1t all. She reached and re-
tanned head positions In her classes,
A word OF praise came occasionally
from Mr.. Bell. Aunt Abby grew less
austere and seemed to have little
pride in her. She became acquainted
with other people and in touch with
young folks. was invited to parties
and sleigh.rides. The vernacular OF
Tins Place left her, and even Sun
days were less torture, in fact, Al
most a pleasure, for then she saw
most Of the young people she mingled
with, and now and then exchanged q
bit OF gossip.
Her own dress became OF more in
terest to her. Aunt Abby, fortunate
ly for Chip, felt DESTROYS that her ware
should appear well, and Chip. thus
educated and polished in village life
to a degree at least, fulfilled Aun
Abby's hopes.
Another success also came TO her
for handsome as she undeniably was
with her big. appealing eyes, he
splendid black hair, and well.rounde'
form, the young men began TO seel
i her. One became persistent. ant
4 when spring had unlocked the long
& curved bay once more, Chip had be
4 come almost leader in the little cir
4 Gle OF young people.
Her life with those who had take
\ her in charge also became more hal
monious. In fact. something OF affeC
ton began to leaven II, for the reaso
that never once had Aunt Abby quei
toned Chip as to her past. Aunt Mand
and Uncle Jud had both cautioned he
as TO its unwisdom, and she was broa
and charitable enough to let It renal
q closed book until such time as Chi
was willing to open it; and for thii
more than all else that she received
'e Chip felt grateful But one day
lie came out-or at least a portion OF !
Ip II suppose you have often woI
re dered where ! was born. and who m
lg parents were" Chip said, one Sunda
Q. afternoon, when she and Aunt Abb
d. were alone, "and want to thank 20
3, for never asking" And then. omi
II ting much. she briefly outlined he
at history.