Hilda's Mascot

r childhood's home and scarcely a day passed that she and Mrs.

California-Mr. Reginald Farnsworth-who could prove beyond doubt that he was the legal own

sworths and whom Anna summoned to her assistance, affirmed the same. The lawyer produced a marriage certificate and letters, which even their unwilling eyes could s

o newspaper in which was a notice of the death of the wife of Joshua Farns

o; and it was not until he was almost grown to manhood that he became anxious to know if he was yet among the living. He had made all inquiry and had advertised, but could gain no information, and for years had given up the search. But recently he had obtained t

ho resided in Philadelphia. Now the way was opened, and he reques

this?" asked Anna, as

ysician of your village and was told the incidents connected with this place. I wrote immediately to Mr. Reginald Farnsworth and he in turn put the case in my hands. I searched the land rec

h bitter tears left "My Lady's Manor" to go to Mrs. Lacy in Springfield, and Jerusha returned to th

y's Manor" with its spacious grounds, woodland, meadows and orchards, having three experienced

defenceless girl of the home which had been given her in the belief that there was no

obstructed a favorite view. They had been planted by his father to shade a sprin

ng himself upon a lounge, fell asleep. When he awoke the moon was shi

m again to slumber when he was conscious of a presence in the room. Without stirring, he opene

d head was a lace cap with long tabs of the same costly material. Her dress was of soft bla

eeing him sleeping was returning quietly without it. He was therefore more than surprised

a distant corner of the unfurnished back room at the end of

oom adjoining the library, bathed face and hands in cold

n feelings had influenced his brain and he had imagined what was no

fe anxiously, "you are looking very pale;

in the last few days," remarked Mrs. Lattinger, "and one of

fected?" asked

ious, imagining he saw weird, spectral o

t of the brain caused by an uneasy conscience as he had feared, but he had

necessary, he decided not to mention what he had seen to his wi

th, as given that evening to his wife by Mrs. Lattinger, and as it was the last thing he heard bef

g at the door of her cabin, "when i

nts de vines to run up de poles and not b

he month, Lois. I hav

erful about de signs, and de kee

. Farnsworth, who, having always lived in San Francisco, whe

on't want 'em to spindle up and be all

ucumber se

en for seed. Dey is in de attic, hangin' on de rafters

. I will go up this evening

ver the beautiful neighborhood, the village of Dorton and the distant city. He then went into the

n in the door-way through which he must pass stood the little old lady in the costume in which he had first seen her. A tremor seized Mr. Farnsworth, his h

ay could be surveyed at a glance; the

to the parlor where were his wife and two callers, Mrs. Courtney and Mrs. Merryman, who

g," he remarked languidly; "I think

hing except turnip seeds, and that was not a success. The rule given me by a facetious friend was to start out with half the quantity I considered sufficient, to fall down and spill half, then sow half

ladies and Mr. Farnsworth was silent,

concert in the city. It being an hour's drive, they were not expected back until near midnight, and after

ld hand upon his forehead. Startled, he sprang to his feet. The little old la

trembled and grew faint, and it was with an intense sense of

conversation; Mr. and Mrs. Farnsworth thanked their neighbors for their courtesy and kindness, then t

an animated account of the concert, Mr. Farnsworth's spirits reviv

rked Mrs. Farnsworth cheerily at breakfast a few mornings after, "and I g

t," replied her h

ertain them, among them to dress in my

h pond and garden had a share of their afternoon, then all returned

ce near her, and turning, she saw slowly receding toward the back room

am, Mrs. Farnsworth fell

ho, pale as the unconscious woman at his feet, raised her in his arm

attinger, while the frightened Lois, Phebe and Judy

her nerves," said the doctor as she showed sig

no one saw her

and yourself, Reginald," said the lady t

ulsive sobs Mrs. Farnsworth told what she had seen

this very evening if I could! Do not let us stay in this dreadf

tempt to reason her out of her wish. Instead, he assured h

as Mr. Farnsworth was about to follow the docto

oor; I am only waiting for the soot

vision was, doctor?" he

stooping over the trunk. But she must have ch

ing but a few household treasures prized by Mrs. Farnsworth, and "My Lady's Mano

. The most eligible of these was accepted and a family who had never lived in the coun

ke the place as a gift and be compelled to live there; the little ol

reduced rent, and again a Baltimore family beca

ed his agent to make no further effort to rent the dwelling, but to close it and

hat caused the death of Joshua Farnsworth?" "Who was the stranger?" "How did he escape

ones of the community avoided the place after nightfall and