The Girls at Mount Morris

ous aspect, and of course the whole school was eager for every bit of news. Lilian said nothing to her m

for a walk. Just beyond the gate she

k together, then. I have so much to

aid Lilian. "It

ught it measles at first, but they are so particular in the schools, now. We closed today. Mother is going to shut up the house for awhile and board at Mrs. Lane's while they fumigate and burn up. The authorities have ordered the old house torn down. I think not a great many people visited

es are dismissed as well, I believe there was a great f

the stores? This has upset our plans. I wanted you and

I doubt if she could go out, and I

w are you getting along? I sup

atin, but oh, there are such stores of reading! It is a hardship to tear myself away, and poetry just enchants me-wel

t is something to be able

house-I wonder if it is silly but I walk about at times and do enjoy the soft rugs, the handsome furniture, the pictures, the beautiful bits of art scattered around, and oh, the books! There never was anything like it in my life before, and if I go back to comparative poverty, which I suppose I shall

ing of envy. We cannot all of us abound in this world's goods, but we can be glad s

d have a little home of our own. I wish"-then she paused and recovering herself after a moment, resumed-"I wish

aracter. God has given us the sense of enjoyment and he means us to make the best use of it that

nce of the cedars and spruces. They hurried along, and Lilian promised to meet her friend tomorrow for another walk. She had never been an

seen Mrs. Barrington. Her heart gave a quick bound as she thought of that lady'

room should be in darkness. Crossing over to the match safe she st

Then in sudden fear she called in the hall-"Oh, will s

e was deadly white and cold,

lk and staid too long." Lilian's v

r heart beats a little; Let us lay her on the bed and I'

this. Oh p

e, using the lavender salts. After a little there was a faint

be better when-when I'm gone." The vague glance seemed t

e to let me repay you for all you ha

nt. "Oh, you do not know, but I did it for lo

e. She has not looked well for the last week or two. Mrs. Ba

r's night dress was neat and lace trimmed, fit to go to

a cup of tea,"

and Miss Arra

ian patted the hands t

you so much. Whatever comes you will know I d

pay you, make you happy. If I have failed in the past I will try with all my soul and strength in th

less babe, then, and I was a childless mother. For you must know, you

seem to see her. Many a time like a lightning flash the thought had swept over her, but it see

much alone. You have brooded over this thought of our differences. Children and parents are often unl

hy should I not fill my aching heart with baby love. Yes, you did love me then, you clung t

alk; now she fell back on the pillow fainting. L

a physician. I will

. Boyd's talk an hallucination or some secret kept for years that must needs

ks at once. Then she went to Mrs. Bo

ard for you, and I think you did not come in to

st stay here.

e voice and the thin hand wa

Would not God send what was best? Oh, that she might have strength to accept it. She

e. There was a lamp on the table and he asked that it

ity is at a very low ebb. When

hat I should go and seemed to want to be alone. I staid

y sitting posture and looke

er-you will find it, Lilian, in a box an

, dear," in

-it was my leg. It is heavy and I can

e blanket and examined the l

week apart, her mother never rallied from the first. I'm tired-worn out, and Lilian will

and put her back on the pillo

oned Mrs. Barringt

ubt if she survives more than a few days

; but she is a devoted daughter. The moth

she can. Very little can be done for her. I will leave some drops to be given if she is very restl

here is plenty of help. I wa

om. Miss Arran sat by the foot of the b

, "you had better lie down and g

. "You will not leave me? When I am a lit

ather stay here. It is my place,

sleep. Lilian laid down on her own bed, and slept in a distur

you watched all nig

She seems better. Mrs. Dane is coming in and you

deadly pale, "you heard what she said last evening. It can't be true. Would a

think we will need a nurse. There will be so little

e was not much more hopeful. A second stroke might end it all. "But she

has the making of an unusually fine scholar, and she is

ere a much stronger physical and me

when she was

mpathy. She roamed about the deserted library and chose some books, a few girls waylaid her i

there's no fun going on. Miss Graniss is going to take us down town w

me embroidery. Miss Trenham came in with the gift of a beautiful volume of poems. Claire sent a little reminder in a most exquisit

d mother doesn't need much, sh

was improving. Not even a case of

e convoy of Miss Graniss. Yes, she had run out that way at Laconia-how long ago it seemed. Oh

Memoriam." She almost heard the "happy bells ring across the snow," so rapt was sh

moth

ely going to that other country. I shall have my own two babies in my arms, and their father will come to

or. Lilian's back was towards her. Mrs. Dane going thr

her, not

t that kind of life very hard on women, but my brother was the only relative I had, though I had not seen him for years. After I had started I was frightened about the journey and the strange people. There was one woman with a baby, a bright, beautif

was an awful crash. Then horrible shri

't!" Lilian implored. "

ore than fifteen years ago, but I suppose I became unconscious. My babe flew out

eral were lying around on cots, and two women sat

I almost shrieked.

l asleep full of joy. We both slept a long while. When I woke the woman brought me a cup of tea and

aring away the wreck and sending bodies into the nearest towns for this place was smal

ell any more," the gi

helped me up and I had some breakfast. I had bee

one of the women said. "The other p

ood. You were so beautiful and bright-so fond and loving. On the other side of the room lay the lovely woman who had interested me so much. They thought her dying, she looked as if she were dead, I never saw anything more perfect. She was like sculptured marble. They were trying to get every one away and the next day an o

five big, rough children. I was not fitted for farm work. I missed my old fri

d ungrateful. Oh, mother, when you

sewing. It was easier in some ways. I liked Sally Marks and her mother so much. The gay jolliness and the merry chat. They were like two girls together. But your heart was set on the High School. Oh, Lilian, do believe I would have kept you there if I could. Then I began to wonder what your own mother and father had been like, and if your father was alive. Perhaps he cou

You will break my he

to these kind of people, your ways were theirs, your ambition was right, and I was very thankful that such a refuge opened for us. You have been a good, devoted child. Tomorrow w

. "I will bring it to you," she said, and she

rington. She must know

much surprised either, but stunned, incapable now of judging whether there had been any right or wrong. If no one belongi

n babies in heaven. I meant to do it for the best when I claimed you, and I think God will understand. It's been a poor, broken sort of life but I've tri

nts of life, the possibilities of education. Some times it seemed as if He an

t was hardly likely she would ever find any one belonging to her, that was too wild a t