Hilda's Mascot

shley, was a trial to her, but their sympathy cheered and strengthe

Mrs. Lacy's offer of a home when she saw the genuine pleasure

ced that an amiable, attractive girl was added to their list,

etters, telling of her safe arrival and cordial reception, and congratulated her heartily upon h

of Lois, Phebe and Judy who could not speak without tears of the absence of their young mistress, b

oshua Farnsworth, they might have mentioned it in a spirit

"My Lady's Manor," but had heard that his wife insisted upon going to Phil

ifference. That the servants remained in their quarters was no surprise

ore lawyer called to inform her that Mr. and Mrs. Farnsworth ask

justice done her, that she realized that the dear home of her childhood was restore

n close friendship, and Anna lost no time in going to the farmhouse to impart the information that "My Lady's Manor" was again in her p

Ashley had fallen in battle, and she hoped to bring her sister a

set out for Maryland. The light of happiness beamed in her brilliant eyes, for she

s where he had been, would again be with her loved Mrs. Ashley and Hilda, see again the Lattingers and the Merrymans, s

arrival. Soon the Lacy carriage drew up to the spot where she stood, the

r way, and had nearly reached the next halting place when there was a

na Ashburton, dying, but rational, and dictating to an attorney her wishes in regard to the disposa

usband, Valentine Courtney, and the will was given

s. Warfield accompanied all that remained of the lovely

as soon as he landed in America he went to her home. From her he learned the details of the calamity; of the will which had made him o

ntended visit of Anna Ashburton, and it was left to

the information that "My Lady's Manor" had been restor

m; it concerned no one but himself, and even in the home circle was seldom mentioned. Beyond i

it brought sad remembrance, and for that reason he took up his resid

brought with him Ralph and James Rivers, the sons o

arm welcome to that beautiful home, the joyous greeting of Roy and Cecil, the supper of fried chicken, oysters, Maryland biscuits and waffles, and after it, a visit to orchards, woods and brook, accompanied by Mose, the colored waiter, and by the

tice and whispered to Cecil, who happened to be nearest, "Ax your mother if you can't come out in de kitchen. Aunt Kitty will give u

Mose hurried back to give notice, that preparations for t

and Chloe and Israe

saw wood. He lives in the alms-house in winter and works all summer, and is the tallest and blackest person I ever saw. He is blind, does not know darkness f

e is out

the neighborhood. Papa and Uncle Val say that he wa

oes he

o count his coins, and we all give him the new, bright pieces we get. He sings hym

heir dusky entertainers until their guests had the best places about the great stone-flagged hearth, a

g in the firelight, and which illumined every corner of the large kitchen. It was the

ll you sing, Uncle Andy," said Roy;

gleefully, "'kase dar is a promise, honey, dar

hing, Uncle Andy? We

stanza of his own improvising, and keeping time with his foot, Kitty, Chloe and Mose joining in the chorus. The boys expressed

r breath, "music an' love is what heaven is made

ho don't like music, Un

n, 'deed he wouldn't, honey. What'll dey do because of de music

e lessened, a shuffling of feet was heard

ryman's Perry said he had done sawed all their wood,

wood-sawer in triumph to the hearth, followed by Perry, who was expected

ster of ceremonies, "and these two other boys is visitin' u

lks ob der 'flictions. What's de use of

ays so his own self," re

towering above them and removing his pipe to

el," said Andy, in high good humor, "or

actions, Brudder Andy,"

leading him to one. "We staid here to

you, I'm shore,

preparing to fill his pipe. "Kitty done say dis mornin', she

t is a fac'," asserted Israel as Roy gently rel

d hand Uncle Isrel a coal to light his pipe;

of the pipe?" suggested Israel, hesitating betw

the boys cordially, "we

wo. I allus says, 'Boys, let us ol' culled folks hab de dirty pipes, 'kase we can't be spiled; but don't yer

wed all the same," remarked Chloe as she

nowd'd dat; not like dese yer boys nohow,

oke," interposed Mose, not

ill yer axed,"

g in de porehouse when yer lef'

ouse as well as in other places, Brudder Andy. Some of the ol' residenters have gone to

e gazed upon him in consternation, and Chloe removed her pipe to

t Gabe is at this moment in the pore-house;

osty head. "Now ain't it too bad dat anybody dat had de raisen dat

marked Kitty. "Ol' missus used to say that it was m

by de cob fire all winter, an' go ter sleep in de sun all summer, an' let de hoein' take keer of itself. I allus tole

pore-house, Brudder Andy," r

ns on de pore-house, but on dat misable Gabe Websta. De pore-house is fu

ork; he done says he has the r

tuday afternoons an' Sundays, an' 'lection days an' Christmas

tain to pay him up for play in' 'po

ed Roy. "Let Israel, when he goes back, ask

stigations," said Uncle Andy with energy. "He'll get turned out

heumatiz afore, has he, B

dar was a big job

e'd just lay down on the hay and go to sleep. He'd go to sleep

s gone dead afore he plays dat game ob de rheumatiz an' de pore-house. Jis' now he's like de folks dat wear eye-glasses to pop o

thers join in the chorus?" asked Cecil. "I

ill sing, honey!

eep, pathetic voice thrilled the hearts of the city boys as no other had done; no noted concert singer had tones so full

n the last notes died away in perfect accord, "he could sing

assin' in my mind while we was singin'. I is gwine to write a letter to Gabe dis yer berry night. Roy, honey, bring de pe

in a hurry to get that letter;

er 'n a kite; he'll git well ob dat rheumatiz, an' be popped out 'n dat pore-house whar my

said Kitty, preparing to arrange

an gits de souls ob sinners; dey help him dar ownselves

to his chair and was ruminating over the prosp

mence it, Uncle

e," sugge

ic having lost its effect when he had reflected upon Gabe's delinquencies. "He's not 'dear Ga

eemed Gabe'" suggested Roy

'Lazy Gabe' is de only

well to commence a lett

ceitful in dis yer wicked world. I suppect yer'll

ckly, thinking another

octahs hab a chance to 'westigate, an' gib yer wuthless place to some 'flicted creetur dat ain'

paused for breath, "that is what a judge sa

honey, 'kase we is all sinnah

ch as possible, signed Andy's name to it, stamped

'n dat pore-house;" and, serenity restored, Andy was ready to sing and as soon as the sweet notes of "I've Been Redee

nder the light of the full moon. From the servants' quarters could be heard the same plaintive airs to which they had listened that eveni

ing, "may we go to 'My Lady's Manor?'

inued, "and now is perhaps the best time to send it; while there, please tell the servants of t

ey drew near Mrs. Ashley's cottage they saw Hilda Brinsfi

aid Ralph in a low tone; "she is

ther says that with her blue eyes and golden hair

were visited, then they halted at the servants' quarters and obtained

ough the dim, richly furnished rooms, then mo

was near noon when they descended. Talking gaily, they reached the attic, and were

ch made them afraid to pass the mansion late at night, but had been trai

reached it, it was empty and silent; and perplexed, they descended to the quar

burst of grief the disclosure of her death called forth, as they sobbed and moaned in the abandonment o

s, "we only stayed to keep the place nice for Miss Anna; sh

will like you to stay," suggested Roy,

s kept out of the home that ol' missus done give her! She was so pretty and sweet and kind and wou

fter they had gone to the lawn for a game of ball, their elders sat in the seclusion o

ilence reigned in the servants' quarters as well as in the spacious rooms of the mansion; sunlight was shut out